| Notice that Paul mentions his “doctrine” before he speaks of his “manner of life.” In fact, his “manner of life” came as a result of his “doctrine,” that which he believed. Let none of us make the foolish and unscriptural statement, so often heard, that it matters not what we believe, as long as we live right. The fact is that we cannot live right unless we believe right, and we cannot believe right unless we indoctrinate ourselves with the Word of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Before the Word of God reproves, corrects and instructs us, we must know its doctrine—we must know what it teaches. “God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” So “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine,” being “rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving,” and “hold fast the form of sound words.” |
