John 1:14-18, What do ya’ know for sure?

Christians have always believed in the importance of sound doctrine.  Our purpose in this post is just to remind ourselves why this is important.  Our approach is to build on the word “truth” in the New Testament.  This approach already tells us something: the only thing(s) we know for sure are those revealed in Scripture.  So …

Why is correct doctrine important?  Because …

A.  God is true, Jn. 7:28; 8:26; 17:3; 1 Th. 1:9; 1 Jn. 5:20.

B.   God’s word is truth, Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 2:15. (Sanctify them by Thy truth.  Thy word is truth.)

C.   God must be worshiped in truth, Jn. 4:23-24.  (God is spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.)

D.  God wants us to know the truth, 1 Tim. 2:4. (He desires all men to come to the knowledge of the truth.)

E.   Christ is truth, John 1:14; 14:6; Eph. 4:21; Rev. 3:7; 19:11. (The One on the white horse coming from heaven is “Faithful and True.”

F.    Christ taught truth, Jn. 1:17; 8:40; 18:37; Rom. 15:8. (Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.)

G.  The Spirit is truth, Jn. 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 5:7.

H.  Christ’s Church (universal and local) is (must be) the pillar and ground of the truth, 1 Tim. 3:15.

I.      Satan is a liar, devoid of truth, Jn. 8:44-46.

J.      Truth is needed to stand against Satan, Eph. 6:14. (Stand, therefore, having girded your waist with truth.)

K.  Truth produces faith, response, Eph. 1:13; 2 Th. 2:13; Jas. 1:18. (He brought us forth by the word of truth.)

L.   Truth liberates, Jn. 8:32. (The truth shall set you free.)

M.Sanctification (spiritual growth) comes from the truth, Jn. 17:17,19.

N.  We are commanded to walk in truth, 2 Jn. 4; 3 Jn. 3-4. (Walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.)

O.  We must think on things that are true, Phil. 4:8.

P.    We are commanded to keep from things that lead away from truth, Titus 1:14.

Q.  Unbelievers are characterized by lack of and disobedience to truth, Rom. 1:25; 1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 2:18; 3:7-8.

R.   God’s wrath is on those who suppress and disobey truth, Rom. 1:18; 2:2,8; 2 Th. 2:12.

And when we believe we have the truth of God, then let us remember that a mark of a mature believer in Christ is not only that they are “no longer … tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” but also that they are “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:14-15).