2 Timothy 3:16-17, John 8:31 SOLA SCRIPTURA

This mixture produced tragic results for the church. Weird doctrines, confusion about salvation and what faith is, issues of the authority of priests, bishops and popes, prayer to the dead and many more distorted and false doctirnes. This resulted in such a departure from God's truth that the "church" no longer acted like the Church. God caused the reformers to rediscover the Bible as the church's only infallible authority.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we are told that "all Scripture is useful for teaching and correction". Whenever we submit to any other source for correction we can expect trouble. The tragic results of history prove it to us, whether it is the latest popular craze on child rearing or sexual orientation. Only the Scripture speaks with the authority of God. Only the Scripture can bring God's light and power to change lives.

John 8:31 speaks directly to this issue by pointing out that what sets us free, what identifies us as the disciples of Christ, is adherence to Jesus' teaching. Further, His teachings will set us free from the lusts of the flesh, from the bondages of the world, our own flesh and Satan.

The Lutheran Church has expressed their historic reformation doctrine in a volume called the Book Of Concord. On this subject it states: (Part I The Holy Scriptures, page 2, item 6).

"6. To be true, a doctrine need not agree with the resolutions of church councils, the confessional writings of a church, the deductions of human reason, the "findings" of science, etc., but it must in all parts and points agree with the clear statements of the Scriptures. As sources and norms of Christian doctrine we, therefore, reject every type and form of human authority, such as: church fathers, church councils, church confessions; human reason, philosophy, science, private opinions; the "inner light" of enthusiasts, new revelations, the "shrine of the Pope's heart."

Concerning what is authoritative it goes on to say, in item 8.

"8. Our Lutheran confessions are very explicit on this point. "We receive and embrace with our whole heart the Prophetic and Apostolic Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the pure, clear fountain of Israel, which is the only true standard by which teachers and doctrines are to be judged."

There was a time when every church which was a product of the Reformation adhered to similar statements in their confessional writings. Sadly, even when these truths remain in the official documents of a church, for the most part the sufficiency of Scripture for doctrine and faith and as a means of judging our teachers is NOT the standard today.

And what about us as individuals? Have we placed our own preferences, ideas about God and the Christian life, above the Scripture? Do we disobey the Scripture and form our own "doctrines" because we care more for our own ideas than for what Scripture says? Do we believe that, with our science, technology and education, we are no longer to submit to Scripture as the ONLY source and norm for doctrine and faith?

Jesus promises that if we continue in His teaching we will be known as His disciples, walk in and be set free by His truth. Are you are experiencing confusion in your personal life? Do you find that the (unbiblical) counsel of other "Christians" violate your inner sense of what is right and wrong?

I was at a conference last weekend and the woman sitting next to me was divorced a year ago. She felt that God told here that her husband would repent, turn back to God and their marriage be re-established. She has been waiting for God to work out those things, believing divorce is a sin and wanting God's best. People in her church family kept telling her that the marriage was over, as sad as that was, and she was FREE to go on with her life, date and remarry. It was obvious she was conflicted about that. I asked if she felt free, if her conscience agreed that she was free to date and "go on with her life". She admitted she did not feel free to do that. Still, her Christian friends were counseling her against her conscience and against Scripture.

Let me encourage you to continue in the truth of God as His disciples. Make Scripture your only source for faith and doctrine. He will bless and encourage you. His Word will strengthen you. His grace will empower you and you will be known as His disciple, obeying His truth. Seek God where He may be found, in the text of His revelation, the Bible.

Shalom

Bob