TOPIC: THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST MAY INDEED SOUND AS A YOKE AND A BURDEN: BUT IT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE.(PART TWO)

-THE SCRIPTURES-
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall turn unto fables….2ND TIMOTHY 4: 3-4.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and in His kingdom; Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine…….2ND TIMOTHY 4:1-2.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions strives of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising,

Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and desolate of the truth: supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. For godliness with contentment is great gain…..1ST TIMOTHY 6:3-5.

-THE MESSAGE-
But Christ did not just leave the matter there. His only passion is for souls, His food indeed is souls, souls, souls – that folks should repent and come to the knowledge of His Father. So He asked Peter and others weather they would also leave. And their reply is this. ”to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God” See verses 68 and 69 of John Chapter 6.

And that is also why He sent me and all that are called into this matter – to make disciples of folks world-wide. And when He called us He also made us to develop the same passion for souls – that folks would come to Him and remain. And that is what drives those that preach the truth of this gospel – for it is only the truth that sets folks free from sin and from all oppression of the enemy. The passion of the Christ is what drives the true message – there in no hidden agenda; there is no iota of intention to judge any one whosoever.

Nonetheless, let no one be surprised when folks, even in the very Church of Jesus Christ, complain that some other folks are judging them. It has been with us and it will continue till the day of our Lord. The scripture for today reveals one of the manifestations of the end-times: that many in the Church will no longer be able to endure sound doctrines. They will no longer be able to endure the truth. Carnality and worldliness have eaten so deep into the body of Christ that the true gospel of Christ is now considered outdated and sometimes even unreasonable.

Men and brethren, the true gospel helps to keep believing folks on their guard on a daily basis. Let us remember that the life of a true believer is as a traveler or sojourner on earth. We are mere pilgrims on earth. We are people on a journey – journey to eternity – to be with the King of kings and Lord of lords forever and forever. It is expected of us to live ready at all times. And the true gospel is fashioned to keep us focused at all times.

Brethren, the glory of this world passeth away. Apostle Paul once wrote that if all that we hope for as believers is what we can ever grab here on earth, that we are of all men and women most miserable. The true gospel of Christ is not judgmental by any stretch of imagination. But if you are judged thereby, it means that your life is not in line with sound doctrines. And instead of you struggling to suppress the truth and become a stumbling block to this gospel, you should repent from your sins and amend your ways – before it is too late.

Brethren, it is indeed futile for one to continue to accuse preachers of the truth of this gospel of condemning him or her. You may be able to blackmail some and even silence some – but then you cannot silence the word of God. That very word you are determined to stop will follow you all the days of your life – until it judges you at the end. Remember that Jesus Christ is that rejected Stone that has now become the Head of the Corner. And the good news is this: that whosoever falls on Him is broken: but the danger is that on whosoever He falls on He grinds to powder. Do not allow Him to fall on you. Never take the grace of God for granted. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Brethren, sound doctrine may appear as a yoke and even as a burden, yet in it lies the best that life can offer – and heaven at last. Let us take a look at how the psalmist described sound doctrine in Psalm 19, from verse 7-8: as follows:-

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold; yea, more than fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping them there is great reward”.

Men and brethren, nothing in this life compares to the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. Nothing in this life compares with the glory that is in the doctrine of Christ. Nothing in this life compares with righteous and holy living. Sound doctrine will forever perfect us, increase us, prosper us with the prosperity that comes without sorrows – and at the end sound doctrine will take us to heaven to be with our Master and Savior forever and ever. Though it may sound hard, though it may seem like a yoke, though it may be burdensome to you, though it may even appear to judge you – but if only you will endure to the end you will never regret abiding in sound doctrine.

But one may indeed ask; what is this sound doctrine all about? For the avoidance of doubt, the sound doctrine of Christ is the entire counsel of God – from Genesis to Revelation, without exception. And it is required of whoever is preaching this gospel to teach folks the entire counsel of God. Whosoever fails to do so shall definitely give account. Apostle Paul confirmed this in Acts of the Apostles Chapter 20, verses 26 and 27 as follows…”Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God”.

Men and brethren, let it be established here and now that those that pick some writings of Apostle Paul, interpret them to soot their ways and means, and then pass them unto brethren as the entire gospel even of Christ, are certainly guilty of the blood of those they have so deceived. It is gross wickedness indeed for any person whosoever to pick some chapters of the scriptures and build the gospel from them. Every believer is expected to walk in the entire counsel of God, which is what sound doctrine is all about. The true gospel of Christ is from Genesis to Revelation, pure and simple.

*Tomorrow, God willing, we shall see the end of this matter in part Three. Till then, keep walking and believing in the truth that is in Christ Jesus*.