THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE.
By Emma Lena Runck
How often we hear people say, “It don’t make any difference what a man believes, just so he is sincere.” But God says in His Word that He has from the beginning chosen us “to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth.” 2 Thess. 2:13. The Lord calls us to believe the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. Sincerely believing a thing does not make it the truth, even tho the whole world should believe it. One may desire to go to a certain place, and believe with all his heart that he is in the right way, and at the same time may be going farther and farther from the place he wishes to reach. No one traveling to the Holy City need be mistaken in the way; for Christ says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth.” The Word of God is our guide. We are not to believe every spirit, but we are to try the spirits, whether they be of God. We are to “prove all things,” and to hold fast that which is good, “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” Every religious tenet should be “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone.” Eph. 2:20. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11. In Christ is the foundation of all true faith, and all faith must rest upon that foundation. If it is not firm on the Rock, it can not stand the test of God, and is sure to fail. The Word says, “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20. It is not safe to place our hopes upon any doctrine that is not according to the Word of God. Why?—“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; . . . and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Tim. 4:3, 4. No one need be in error concerning the truth; for every one has the privilege of knowing on what his faith rests, and to be assured that it is on the true foundation. For “if ye continue in My word,” Christ says, “then are ye My disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32. “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God;” for “the meek will He teach His way.” Christ says, “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. Alma, Neb. Emma Lena Runck.