Doctrine Plus Character

Doctrine Plus Character

Christians have been confused by the fact that there are Christian ministers and teachers who, in spite of sin, continue to teach the Word in a doctrinally correct way. We understand that none of us is perfect and that we all sin. But here we are referring to ongoing sin which has not been repented of. This is often glossed over with terms such as “character flaws” or “weaknesses”. Often a vile temper is excused as “righteous anger”. Hatred, an unforgiving spirit, bitterness and strife are often “sanctified” as righteous zeal. Similarly a judgemental and critical attitude is camouflaged under the term “discernment”. The facts remain that sin is sin and wrong can never be called right:

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah:5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
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So, even if their doctrine is correct, they are actually in error because they justify their sin!

The questions we must ask are how it is that such people can continue to preach right and live wrong. What does the Bible say about it, and should we continue to receive ministry from people like that?

Doctrinal orthodoxy does not prove God’s blessing:

• The Devil quoted scripture when tempting Jesus, but he applied it incorrectly. According to John:8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
  See All... he cannot speak the truth, so even if he seems to be speaking the Word of God, he is still lying!
• On at least two occasions the Scriptures record that demons preached the truth (Luke:4:41And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
  See All..., Acts:16:17The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
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• Balaam four times prophesied the word of God correctly and yet, because he was driven by greed, brought the people of Israel into idolatry (Numbers 22-24).
• Solomon had a real gift of wisdom from the Lord and wrote three of the books of the Bible and yet in the end he was an idolater.
• Jesus judged the church of Ephesus as fallen, not because they had the wrong doctrine, in fact, their doctrine was 100%, but because they had left their first love. Their sin was not even one of moral failure!

God does not excuse a life which does not back the teaching. Is this not the essence of hypocrisy? The right outside, but the wrong inside – appearing to be pious and yet denying the essence of the message?

1 Corinthians 13 makes it very clear that one can have the greatest gifts, and make the greatest sacrifices, but if our service is not motivated by love, it is a waste of time. Many preach because they love themselves, the acclaim of people, the influence it brings or the money. Some preach because they love being right while others minister because it makes them feel superior. According to Paul they are wasting their time. The only motivator that is acceptable is a love of God and a love of people as a consequence. 1 Corinthians is specific that unless we are driven by Agape love, we are just performing dead works.

Jesus warns of those who, although they had preached and performed miracles in His name, were not known by Him (Matthew:7:21-23 [21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
See All...). Although they were doing all these wonderful things, they were practicing lawlessness/iniquity. Notice He does not question their doctrine or the validity of their miracles. But He does question their relationship with Himself.

Paul warns the Ephesian elders to take heed to themselves and to the flock (Acts:20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
See All...). To Timothy he says “take heed to yourself and the doctrine” (1Timothy 4:16). He writes as much to Timothy about right conduct as he does about right doctrine. Thus even if the minister takes heed to the flock and the doctrine without taking heed to himself, he will be disqualified for the ministry. For this reason Paul says “for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1Timothy 4:16).

http://www.cwm.org.au/latest-cetf/356-doctrine-plus-character-parts-1-2