Sound Doctrine

(CLICK YOUR BROWSERS "BACK" BUTTON  WHEN FINISHED)

Now, I understand that most, if not all, churches and organizations have a statement of faith. Scope Ministries has a sound statement of faith. But, there is more than just having a sound statement of faith. What is written in a statement of faith must find its way into functional usage on the ministry level. In other words, doctrine must become vital and dynamic, not only in our lives, but in the lives of those we minister to.

For example, when is the last time you used or taught the truth of "propitiation" in a ministry session? I must confess, I can’t remember the last time, if ever, I clearly taught this great truth.

As I look around at the status of the church and individual Christians today, I see a state of chaos. Writing over thirty years ago, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones bemoaned the terrible state of the church. It hasn’t gotten any better. I believe, with him, that the major reason for the weakness of the church and the desperate situation of individual Christians is that the Word of God is no longer central, nor considered vital, to everyday living. Most people spend more time dusting off their Bibles than reading them.

I have come to the conclusion that the great doctrines of the church must be woven into our ministry sessions, so those who come in for help leave with a basic understanding of these vital truths of the Word of God.

Now, I have always said that the hardest thing to accomplish is to get those with whom I am dealing to place their confidence in the Word of God rather than in their emotions. I understand those people who seek help will want you to deal with the presenting problem, and that you must. But, while you do, you can also present them these great and vital truths of the Bible.

You’d think Christians would have learned these things during their Sunday School days, yet I find a woeful ignorance on the part of most Christians to the truths of Scripture. I can safely say that the majority of people I see do not have a working knowledge of the Bible. So what is it that I try to teach them as I work on their problem?

First and foremost, I attempt to teach them the character of God. So many Christians have created a concept of God as Father based upon their experience with their earthly fathers. They have either a very limited view of God or a very warped one.

I have found that, as those who have sought help have begun to really comprehend the nature and character of God as Father, it impacts their lives dramatically. Suddenly there is a God they can know and believe in. (There is a direct correlation between one’s knowledge of God and one’s faith in God. Little knowledge, little faith.) Experiencing God is a tremendous workbook for every Christian.

We can dispense the knowledge of God through several means. We can teach the attributes of God, or the names of God, but one of the best and clearest presentations is to show that Jesus was the Father on earth. He is the visible expression of the invisible God. Thus we reveal God the Father by having a counselee read the Gospel of John, drawing their attention to the fact that in reality it was the Father at work in the Person of Jesus.

Secondly, I want, if possible, to get each person I see to have a working knowledge of the Word. I encourage them to begin having a devotional time at least five times a week, preferably during the time that is most convenient for them. This is basic discipleship, but very necessary in the counseling process.

Third, I want them to understand the meaning behind the words that seem so incomprehensible to most Christians. For example, the word that I used above, "propitiation," that is seldom used or heard, but it is imperative that the truth behind it be understood. Basically, it means to "turn away wrath," and, in the Biblical sense, to turn away the wrath of God toward all sin by satisfying the violated justice of God. This is a tremendous concept because it leads directly to the Cross.

Amazingly, Jesus’ death on the Cross turns God’s wrath into God’s mercy! A little study on our part to communicate this truth to those we are dealing with will pay great dividends.

Redemption is another one of these great words. This word means deliverance by the payment of a ransom. We are in bondage to sin and slavery to Satan. This by Adam’s volitional choice. But it is in Christ, who made the ultimate payment of redemption, that we are liberated from sin and delivered from Satan.

Of course, there are many others - reconciliation, the substitutionary death, sanctification, among others. But what I am saying is that all of these, these great truths of God’s Word, the basic doctrines of the church, are all necessary, even imperative in the ministering process.

We must never view Biblical counseling as a separate ministry of the church. We must never view Biblical counselors as a special breed of Christians. Whether from the pulpit or the pew, Biblical counseling is in reality Christians helping Christians.

I have long stated that the love of God must have arms. We, all of us who profess the name of Christ, are those arms. We are to reach out and touch the lives of those who are hurting, healing them so they can play their God-intended part in fulfilling the Great Commission.

So the challenge to me, to all of us, is that the Word of God abide in us in such intensity and fullness that the Spirit of God can use His Word in the lives of those whom He has sent our way.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly..." And don’t fail to share it with others!!