For those who might not know what an axiom is let me illumine you. An Axiom is a statement or proposition that is regarded as being
established, accepted, or self-evidently true.
One of my favorite axioms that I "coined" [I never heard anyone else state this premise] is:
"There is no use being a fool if you can't show it off now and then."
By this I mean if you are a fool or you are going to be a fool you might as well demonstrate it, otherwise, why be a fool?
What has this got to with today's post you wonder? I am glad you asked. Allow me to elucidate.
Once again, I heard someone this week decry "doctrine." I was immediately drawn into a Brady Bunch re-run where I could hear Jan exclaiming, "Doctrine, Doctrine, Doctrine."
This attempt at an ignominious attack on doctrine centered on the same old and tired argument that, "doctrine divides," that "doctrine is for theologians," that "doctrine is confusing."
Doctrine is vital to any true believer. It is only as we understand biblical doctrine that we can ever hope to live the Christian life. Beloved, there is an unbreakable bond between biblical doctrine and life.
Only fools preach the mantra that "they are only interested in living out Christianity" and are not interested in doctrine. Be assured that the only people who can really know, understand, and live out the Christian life are those who know and understand the doctrine that governs the Christian life.
Doctrine is God's means by which He works out our sanctification. Do you remember what Christ prayed in John 17?
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth." (John 17:17, NKJV)
There is no by-passing biblical doctrine in order to be holy in practical and daily experience. Christlikeness is developed in us mainly by the understanding and application of the great doctrinal truths of the bible.
Doctrine is vital. Doctrine is crucial. Doctrinal is a reality in the life of any real believer. Therefore, next time you hear someone decry doctrine remember my axiom:
There is no use being foolish if you can't show it off now and then!
I am always showing myself as being a fool,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Yvonne - I hope not. I don't think so!
ReplyDeleteMy husband comes up with some great axioms sometimes. One that I like is: "You do not go to work to make friends; you go to work to work" (when I complain about things that happen at work, lol)
ReplyDeleteAlso, to the world we will appear to be foolish, and I've had to learn to accept that ( but I still tend to think I can somehow drill the truth into people's heads, but it just doesn't work) ...I know that isn't really what you are saying here, but it kinda applies to those who want to maintain that doctrine doesn't matter...if they want to hold onto that mistaken idea, we cannot change it unless the Lord makes it happen. :)
We can all be mistaken about something...another axiom that my husband borrowed from a list of axioms that makes the rounds on "the net":
Those who think they know everything are really annoying to those of us who do
He uses that one on me sometimes when I go on and on about "the trouble with some people" and then we both laugh.
Good thing that God is a forgiving God, and that it is His perfection that counts, not ours!