Which is more important: Correct doctrine or a godly attitude toward others?

[dcontroversal]

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16keeping a clear conscience"-1 Peter 3:15-16


You don't see much gentleness and respect in this or any forum. Most Christians are still immature. I blame the church. The leadership does not teach the importance of maturing in Christ. And I blame 'once saved always saved' for that.

Doctrine is important to the extent to which it leads you to that which counts, which is loving others as God loves (as opposed to how man conditionally loves others). The goal (loving as God loves) is always more important than the means used to get you there (doctrine).

Oh but let us guess.....You are Mature and not in the "MOST Christians" grouping...........like some other post....I am fairly confident that you do not know MOST CHRISTIANS and lack any real right or truth to make the statement you made about most Christians....


As far as the second bolded statement....You state clearly that your Jesus is not the Jesus of the bible

Mine states the following...

I will never leave thee or forsake thee
I will complete the good work of faith I began in you
I give unto you eternal life and NO MAN can pluck you our of my hand
If we believe NOT (after belief) he abides faithful and cannot deny himself

My bible teaches eternal security....not some easily lost salvation based upon what I do or do not do.....tragic how you devalue JESUS, his work and power in favor of a false religious farce that throws Jesus under the bus while devaluing the work, power and promises of Christ.....

More religion from a religionist!

 

[kaylagrl]

Christian Chat (especially the BDF) is rife with heated arguments about one doctrinal point or another. Some posts are well thought out and presented respectfully. Far too many posts, however, are attacks on a previous poster's character and personality.

The later responses appear to me to present an ungodly attitude toward others. I believe these to be (giving them the benefit of the doubt) from immature Christians, whether their doctrine is correct or not.

So, my question is, "Is it more important to have a 'correct' doctrine and treat your brothers and sisters insultingly, disrespectfully, and ungodly, or, is is better to have a God honoring attitude that reflects the love of Jesus to others and not necessarily have the 'correct' doctrinal position.

A second related question is: "Is Christian maturity measured by 'correct' doctrine or a God honoring character?"

(We will assume a true belief and acceptance of God's Son, Jesus, as ones Lord and Savior on the part of the offending poster.)

Thank you for your comments.

If you dont have correct doctrine you wont have a Godly attitude,period. Doctrine is extremely important,lest we be led astray

 

[Ralph-]

...and I also blame the belief that walking in a spiritual gift is what being a Christian is all about.

So many churches think if they get you evangelizing and participating in it's various programs that you are doing what counts and what constitutes the obedient life of the Christian. But they do not know that godly character is what counts and is more important than godly service.

People in the church are deceived into thinking their service shows they 'know' Christ. But it is one's obedience that shows that you are born again and know Christ.


"22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"-Matthew 7:22-23


‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’-Matthew 9:13


Obedience is better than sacrifice.

 

[Ralph-]

If you dont have correct doctrine you wont have a Godly attitude,period. Doctrine is extremely important,lest we be led astray

If you set the compass of your walk with Christ to 'love your neighbor as yourself' you will be able to discern junk doctrine from right doctrine and you will not be mislead or deceived.


"14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming."-Ephesians 4:14


If you're sitting under a ministry or pastor that is not leading you to godly character, you are being buffeted by the winds of useless doctrine and you will not get to where you are to go. You will be deceived into thinking you know something and are growing up into Christ, but you will in the end show by your immature spiritual life that you know nothing.

 

[Ralph-]

If you dont have correct doctrine you wont have a Godly attitude,period.

Maybe a better way to say it is, "if you don't have MEANINGFUL doctrine you won't have a Godly attitude."


If doctrine is not taught with the goal of making you a different person you are indulging meaningless doctrine.

 

[Ralph-]

Oh but let us guess.....You are Mature and not in the "MOST Christians" grouping...........like some other post....I am fairly confident that you do not know MOST CHRISTIANS and lack any real right or truth to make the statement you made about most Christians....


As far as the second bolded statement....You state clearly that your Jesus is not the Jesus of the bible

Mine states the following...

I will never leave thee or forsake thee
I will complete the good work of faith I began in you
I give unto you eternal life and NO MAN can pluck you our of my hand
If we believe NOT (after belief) he abides faithful and cannot deny himself

My bible teaches eternal security....not some easily lost salvation based upon what I do or do not do.....tragic how you devalue JESUS, his work and power in favor of a false religious farce that throws Jesus under the bus while devaluing the work, power and promises of Christ.....

More religion from a religionist!

Like I said, folks, like I said.

 

[Miri]

I would say Godly attitude and a teachable heart is way ahead of doctrine.

The Pharisees had doctrine, the Roman Catholics have doctrine, the Muslims
have doctrine........

The disciples had a teachable heart.

 

[dcontroversal]

Like I said, folks, like I said.

You proved nothing....other that you sit in the seat of a Pharisee judging MOST CHRISTIANS like you know them.....just like your pals who are no longer with us.....and my post was truthful.....your time will come.....!

 

[dcontroversal]

I would say Godly attitude and a teachable heart is way ahead of doctrine.

The Pharisees had doctrine, the Roman Catholics have doctrine, the Muslims
have doctrine........

The disciples had a teachable heart.

AMEN....and the drivel above about obedience proving salvation.....sorry...the Pharisees were obedient to the point of being able to say that outwardly they were blameless concerning the law (PAUL) and we all remember what JESUS said about leaving off the weightier matters of the law....

One can OBEY outwardly every law written and still be as lost as a goose.......especially when Jesus, his work, his power and his promises are swept under the rug by those sold out to man made religions....

 

[Ralph-]

In the parable of the talents, is it more important that you have the talent (the knowledge of the kingdom) that the Master gave you when he returns, or more important that you actually did something with it?


Doing something with your talent(s) of knowledge and putting it to work in your life is what counts, not that you simply possess the talent. The one who did nothing with his talent of doctrinal knowledge of the kingdom and only held on to it went to the place of weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

We should not be deceived into thinking that just knowing accurate doctrine, or even sharing it by putting it on deposit with others, means all is good with us and God. Not even remotely true. The person who has the word of God-his talent(s)-active and working in his life is the one who is good with the Master and prepared for his return. The one who is taking false comfort in merely possessing it is in for a surprise.

 

[Locutus]

 

[Miri]

In the parable of the talents, is it more important that you have the talent (the knowledge of the kingdom) that the Master gave you when he returns, or more important that you actually did something with it?


Doing something with your talent(s) of knowledge and putting it to work in your life is what counts, not that you simply possess the talent. The one who did nothing with his talent of doctrinal knowledge of the kingdom and only held on to it went to the place of weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

We should not be deceived into thinking that just knowing accurate doctrine, or even sharing it by putting it on deposit with others, means all is good with us and God. Not even remotely true. The person who has the word of God-his talent(s)-active and working in his life is the one who is good with the Master and prepared for his return. The one who is taking false comfort in merely possessing it is in for a surprise.

Nothing wrong with using your talents, I think generally we are all on the same
page, just that different people are emphasising different aspects.

In regards to the specific question of the thread though, I would say attitude every time.
A good attitude and teachable spirit, listens to the prompting of the holy
spirit and is alive to God’s word.

 

[Ralph-]

Nothing wrong with using your talents, I think generally we are all on the same
page, just that different people are emphasising different aspects.

In regards to the specific question of the thread though, I would say attitude every time.
A good attitude and teachable spirit, listens to the prompting of the holy
spirit and is alive to God’s word.

The talent that God gives a person is knowledge of the kingdom. Some are given much, while some are given less.

It's more important what you do with the knowledge you receive than it is that you possess that knowledge. But the church seems to think the abundance of it's correct doctrine is what it means to 'believe' correctly. But we show that we believe the gospel by how we live, not by knowing a lot about it.

God won't be looking at the abundance and accuracy of accurate doctrine when he returns. He will be looking to see if we did anything with it. That is what counts.

 

[Shamah]

I think it deserves to be mentioned that many churches operate in the fake zone, they act very kind but talk behind each others backs and a big ig issue is that any rebuke is seen as mean or not loving.

[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Leviticus 19:17, "You shall not hate your neighbor in your heart. Rebuke your brother or your sister frankly, so you will not share in his or her guilt."[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Proverbs 24:25-26, "But he who rebukes the wicked will be a delight, and a righteous blessing will be called upon him. A fitting; appropriate, answer is like a kiss on the lips."[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Luke 17:3-4, “So be on your guard! If your brother trespasses against you, rebuke him! But if he repents, forgive him! And if he trespasses against you seven times in one day, and seven times in that day turns to you, and says; I repent; then you must forgive him.”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Matthew 18:21-22, “Then Kĕpha came to Him and said, “Master, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]יהושע [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”[/FONT]


[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Matthew 18:15-17, “And if your brother sins against you, go and convict him, between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word might be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, say it to the assembly. And if he refuses even to hear the assembly, let him be to you like the nations and a tax collector.”[/FONT]


BOttom line lies and falsehood are never aceptable.

 

[John146]

The talent that God gives a person is knowledge of the kingdom. Some are given much, while some are given less.

It's more important what you do with the knowledge you receive than it is that you possess that knowledge. But the church seems to think the abundance of it's correct doctrine is what it means to 'believe' correctly. But we show that we believe the gospel by how we live, not by knowing a lot about it.

God won't be looking at the abundance and accuracy of accurate doctrine when he returns. He will be looking to see if we did anything with it. That is what counts.

Good works without sound doctrine of the gospel is just leaving this world a better place in which to go to hell from...

 

[EarnestQ]

As far as the second bolded statement....You state clearly that your Jesus is not the Jesus of the bible

Where has He said that please?

 

[Depleted]

Where has He said that please?

My guess? The Not-Works mega-thread.

 

[dcontroversal]

Where has He said that please?

Through many exchanges he believes that..

a. Jesus will cast you off
b. You must keep yourself saved
c. Jesus will not finish and complete the work of faith that he began...you must finish it yourself
d. Your not saved until the end it is not a current possession
e. Jesus will leave you and forsake you
f. Jesus has given ETERNAL LIFE, EVERLASTING life....NOT temporal LIFE based upon one's actions....the bible teaches eternal security and his stance by default embraces and pushes a JESUS not found in the bible....regardless of who disagrees....

etc....the JESUS he pushes and embraces is not the Jesus of the bible....

 

[dcontroversal]

My guess? The Not-Works mega-thread.

AMEN and by default...the very truths he rejects and the fallacies he embraces portrays a Jesus not found in scripture....

A Jesus that WILL not compete the work of faith he began in you
A JESUS that will cast you off and forsake you
A Jesus that gives temporal life based upon what you do or do not do and not eternal life base upon JESUS and his power/promises
A JESUS that cannot keep you by his power
A JESUS that is inept and unable to keep his word
A JESUS that does not give salvation as a current possession

etc....A JESUS not found in scripture.....

 

[Ralph-]

Good works without sound doctrine of the gospel is just leaving this world a better place in which to go to hell from...

The premise laid down in the OP was that we are talking about saved people.

Among saved people, the most important thing is your behavior, not your doctrine. Obviously, if you have doctrine that locks you out of salvation (works salvation, faith without works saves) it doesn't matter how you behave. But for the sake of this thread we are talking about what is more important for the believer.


God will not be applauding your doctrine when he returns. He will be praising your behavior. So be careful to only indulge doctrine that will lead you into the life that Christ will reward when he returns--the life of obedience to the law summed up in 'love your neighbor as yourself'. There are no rewards waiting for the person with the most accurate doctrine. Only for those who live it.