1 Tim. 6:13-16 (ESV)
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, [14] to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [15] which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, [16] who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Keep the commandment unstained. One wonders which commandment he is talking about? From the context of this chapter, it seems it could only be the commandment to keep God’s word pure, not to let it be corrupted for the sake of material gain. This is a high charge. But it is of all importance. Doctrine does infact save. Not that you have to memorize Chemnitz’s “Two Natures in Christ” in order to be saved. But pastors are charged to teach the gospel, teaching is doctrine, It is what doctrine means, teaching. And it is the Gospel that saves, nothing else can.
7 comments:
"And it is the Gospel that saves, nothing else can."
Amen. Jesus saves us.
I am convinced that there wuill be Baptists and R. Catholics, and maybe the odd Mormon, in Heaven.
Good doctrine is important, that's for sure. But we are not saved by doctrine. There are many that have terrific doctrine, but their hearts are so far from Christ Jesus, they wouldn't know Him if He slapped them in the face.
Steve,
Gospel is doctrine. That is the point. And we never know how far a person's heart is from Jesus. Well maybe I shouldn't say never. But I find it hard to believe that if their doctrine is good, their hearts are far away from Jesus, even if it appears that way to us.
I mean just think of what an SOB I would be if I wasn't Christian, I'm bad enough the way it is.
Bror,
Me too.
But a person can have all the right doctrine and be lost. It is possible. The Lord creates faith when and where He will.
Do you think that Lutherans (some) will be the only ones in Heaven?
I know you don't. I know you too well.
Steve,
I suppose their could be a person who knows all the right answers, but doesn't believe it. But what is in their hearts is sort of hard for me to discern.
As for heaven. There are many that will go to heaven from all different backgrounds. But in Heaven they will all be Lutheran, despite what they were on earth, as the Parousia will reveal that Lutheran's were right.
"But what is in their hearts is sort of hard for me to discern."
I guess that's why Jesus told us not to judge, otherwise we heap more judgement upon ourselves.
I'm glad all will be Lutherans in Heaven. I was begining to think that we'd be meeting in a special Heavenly Phone Booth!
*: )
1 Timothy 4:16 (New International Version)
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
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