Today American culture has become one which is largely relativistic and synchronistic in nature with its moral base no longer solidly standing on absolutes but rather now placed on the shifting sands of moral relativism. Values today seem to be driven by whoever has the power and access to the loudest voice at any given moment. At the heart of this shift from absolutes to moral relativism is the church. There is a movement that has infiltrated Christianity that has effectively destroyed the ability of Christianity to bear the standard of moral absolutes. This has led to the destruction of the gospel message resulting in the inability of lives to be changed. In Romans 10:17 Paul states, “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God.” Unfortunately the “Word of God” is being attacked and abandoned as archaic and irrelevant in many “Christian” churches and by extension in the lives of many “Christians” today. In recent years Bible studies and expository preaching have been replaced with a “feel” good tickling of ears message often based on humanistic psychology dressed up in Christian language and surrounded by stories and jokes. Yoga classes will have a long list of attendees but few if any will find time to attend a verse by verse Bible study followed by a prayer time. On Sunday mornings if the service goes beyond the relegated 60 minutes, disgust will be voiced especially in the fall and early winter when football season is here. Church growth is often following the world’s model of marketing i.e. giving those you want to reach what they want to have. Coffee bars can be found in the foyer so you do not have to be without your latte or mocha, and never make those you want to reach feel uncomfortable by talking about sin and hell. Osmosis is often the method of choice when it comes to proclaiming the gospel and when using this method we definitely will never offend anyone.
How did we get here and what needs to happen to discover the power of God in our lives again?
The answer begins with doctrine, yes that word that in many circles today has become a very nasty word. I am sure you have heard the statement “doctrine divides so do not talk about doctrine.” Unfortunately, the adversary teaches his doctrine to infiltrate churches and destroy the effectiveness of God’s people to proclaim the gospel and reveal Jesus Christ to the world. The epistles of Paul, John, James, and Peter are filled with warnings and instruction on how to be aware of false doctrine and teaching us what true doctrine is.
Everyone in the world today pocesses a doctrine (belief system) and lives by it. The definition of doctrine is “a principle or position which is laid down as true by an instructor or master” “the act of teaching” “learning; knowledge” “INSTRUCTION AND CONFIRMATION IN THE TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL.”
Is all doctrine true? Let me give you one example of Hinduism verses Biblical Christianity.”
Even though many Christians are involved in yoga, they do not know that they are involved in the practice of Hinduism. The Hindu religion has a multitude of gods and practicing yoga involves yoking yourself to one or more of these gods. Meditation in Yoga means by the use of a mantra you empty your mind allowing yourself to enter an altered state of consciousness where your spirit guide can enter your mind and direct your thoughts, mind and emotions, giving you direction for your life. (This is a doctrine of demons.)
The Bible tells us the Lord says, “Come let us reason together” in Isaiah 1:18. Reason involves active interaction when we are contemplating what a scripture says, allowing God’s Holy Spirit to teach us by the Word of God the principles of God as we meditate actively on these words. This is the exact opposite of Hindu mediation which is the emptying of the mind. The Bible says there is one God manifesting Himself in three persons, who has always existed and stands apart from his creation. This is exactly the opposite of the view of the gods of Hindu religion. Biblical Christianity states there is only one way that I can be assured of eternal life. That way is coming to the Father through Jesus Christ the way, the truth, and the life. My sin has been paid for by the grace extended to me through the payment of the penalty for my sin by this holy and righteous God and there is nothing I can do to earn my salvation. Hinduism states the only hope I can have is to go onto the endless wheel of reincarnation in an attempt to pay for my sins, ultimately spinning off into nirvana. Only one doctrine can be true doctrine.
Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:10, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine…” This doctrine is that which is true and revealed to us in God’s Word the Bible. Paul further states in 1 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” Paul then states in 1 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.”
Doctrine does matter and the Word of God reveals and teaches us true doctrine and exposes the false doctrines of demons and traditions of men. There is doctrine that is true and based on the absolute truth of God’s word not relativistic lies of Satan and this world system. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12
To experience the power of God we need to believe what Paul preached, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures;” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.