Sound Teaching Cultivates Morally Healthy Living
(Applying Unchanging Truth in a Changing World …. Wise living and decision making in our daily life)
“Knowing this that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane (disrespectful), for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers. For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers (one who forcefully enslaves), for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust”. 1 Timothy 1:9-11
Those who demand rights to morally live any way they want—cannot use the Bible to back their dictates. The idea that a person can behave in whatever way makes them happy is foreign to faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is not an “add-on” to the latest cause a corrupt culture is trying to institute. Christ and His teachings do not conform to the culture, the culture is to conform to the gospel of Jesus. Just as a disciplined soldier must follow agreed upon standards to be part of a vigorous army, so faithful disciples of Jesus embrace moral actions embedded in sound biblical teaching.
Paul answers the decadence of his day by clearly defining sound teaching as doctrine that conforms to the good news of a holy and happy God. Hope is instilled through the word by the Lord’s revelation of Himself in the person of Jesus—as divine clarity came through Christ. Christ’s perfection—God’s holiness. His gentleness—God’s mercy. His love—God’s compassion. His forgiveness—God’s grace. His death—God’s sacrifice. His resurrection—God’s life giving power. His obedience—God’s delight. Jesus modeled what He taught, as He sought to love from a morally healthy stance.
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears …. ” 2 Timothy 4:2-3.
Is your faith grounded in the God of the Scripture revealed in Jesus Christ? Does your behavior betray biblical teaching? Habitual sin is an indicator of a life that does not truly love Jesus, only posing in their profession of faith. The first step in following Christ is to be grounded in the gospel by belief and trust through conversion. You cannot begin to grow as a child of God until you have been spiritually born a child of God. Once a true disciple, you mature in the faith by embracing sound biblical teaching. A high view of Scripture grows into high moral standards.
Make sure to surround yourself with a community of believers who seek to know, understand and apply God’s word. Sound teaching in your church and/or small groups, go a long way in deepening your love of the Lord. A person who loves God is continually being changed by His truth. A righteous life (in right standing with Christ) rebuffs the world’s insistent conformity by submitting to the Holy Spirit’s transforming power. Moral clarity comes to a life of humility: always learning, growing and living out the Lord’s ways, as He defines in His word.
“Shew me thy ways on Lord: teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day” (Psalm 25:4-5).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, show me Your truth so by Your power my behavior bows to Your ways.
