Does Doctrine Matter?

There is a religious book that has been quite popular for the past couple of years, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. While the premise and purpose of the book is a good one, much religious error is propagated throughout its pages. It is not a book that should be read or studied by those who do not have a good grounding in the Scriptures, as they may be easily misled.

Take, for instance, what Mr. Warren says on page 34, concerning the final judgment: "God won't ask you about your religious background or doctrinal views. The only thing that will matter is, did you accept what Jesus did for you and did you learn to love and trust him?"

Think about this statement for a moment. Does not one's "religious background and doctrinal views" depend directly upon one's acceptance, love, and trust of the Savior?

If one truly accepts Jesus, he will follow Him. "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Do you accept Jesus as the only way into a righteous relationship with the Father?

If one truly loves Jesus, he will follow Him. "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Do you obey Jesus, or do you only say you love Him?

If one truly trusts Jesus, he will follow Him. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). Do you trust Jesus, or do you "explain away" this crystal-clear statement?

One who accepts, loves, and trusts Jesus will have the "religious background or doctrinal views" that God expects and desires of His people. Those who have obeyed the Lord will be added to His church, thus having the right "religious background." "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47b).

Those who continue to obey the Lord will have the proper "doctrinal views." "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine..." (Titus 2:1).

Doctrine does matter! This truth is made abundantly clear throughout the New Testament!

Timothy was told, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Timothy 2:2). Timothy couldn't make up his own doctrine -- he had to follow the doctrine that the apostle Paul taught.

And Paul didn't make up his own doctrine either! "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11-12). Those things that Paul taught came directly from God. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God..." (II Timothy 3:16a).

We must give heed to those things taught in the New Testament -- we must not only accept them as true, but obey them! "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). If we reject the words of the Lord, if we rebel against Him and refuse to obey, we have no one to blame but our own self.