Doctrine: It Really Matters!

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

John 8:31-32

Imagine sailing a ship without a compass or a map. Even if the seas seem calm and the horizon beautiful, one wrong turn can take you miles off course. Similarly, in our Christian faith, the Word of God is our compass. Without it, we are vulnerable to errors, false teachings, and even heresy.

In the modern church today, you will hear people say that doctrine is not important. We just need to love and accept everyone exactly as they are. The Ethos Institute writes the following about what “Progressive Christians believe”: “Progressive Christianity is largely defined by its focus on morality and its downplaying of doctrine. What truly matters, we are told, is not what we believe but how we behave” (https://ethosinstitute.sg/progressive-christianity-a-primer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). What happens when a church does not take doctrine seriously? A survey by Barna Group found that 79% of Americans are comfortable with a woman serving as a priest or pastor. How can 79% of Christians disregard a clear command from scripture (1Tim. 2:11-12)?

It gets worse:

United Methodist Church: In 2024, the denomination removed language from its Book of Discipline that prohibited same-sex marriages and the ordination of openly gay clergy, signaling a move toward greater inclusivity.

Church of England: In 2025, the Church voted to remove a 1991 document that labeled homosexual behavior as “especially dishonorable,” reflecting a shift toward inclusivity in clergy selection processes.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): This denomination has been ordaining openly gay clergy since 2009, following a decision to allow such ordinations.

When you have a high view of Scripture and believe that correct doctrine is important, you will understand that when your feelings don’t agree with Scripture, it’s not Scripture that is wrong. Jesus tells us that abiding in His Word is the mark of a true disciple. But notice the chain… He tells us to abide (live in Him), when we do that, we will know the truth and then be set free. Abiding in His Word means studying, meditating on, and living according to God’s revealed truth. Knowing the Truth isn’t just intellectual knowledge. It’s the right understanding of God’s Word — sound doctrine. Correct doctrine helps us understand who God is, what Christ accomplished, and how we should live. The freedom Jesus speaks of is liberation from sin, deception, and falsehood. Heresy, or false teaching, enslaves because it distorts God’s truth.

Doctrine may sound dry or academic, but it’s like the ship’s compass. If we drift from correct teaching, whether about Christ, salvation, or God’s nature, we risk being led astray. History is full of examples where heresies pulled believers away from the gospel’s life-giving truth. Abiding in Jesus’ Word guards us from these dangers.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark