Know what you believe

In Romans 6:17-18 we are told that while we were once slaves to sin, we now can be slaves to righteousness if we will obey the pattern of doctrine we have received. In that one passage are a couple of concepts that are preeminently Christian, but which many of us don't like. The first is that it seems to be saying that our natural state is to be a slave - the only choice is whether to be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness. Interestingly, that reflects a concept of freedom that is not only ancient, but is the one upon which our country was founded. These days we seem to think that to be free is to be able to do anything we want, as long as it doesn't hurt someone else, or at least not without their permission. But our founders, along with all the ancients, understood freedom as being free to do what is right, not what we want. But what is right? That is where the second part of our scripture comes in - for the Christian, what is right is the "pattern of doctrine," the teaching of the Bible as historically understood by God's people, the church. That the Bible contains a pattern of doctrine is not in dispute. But whether we know it or not is another question. We cannot obey what we do not know - that is why Mormon missionaries like to go to places where Christian missionaries have just successfully planted churches, but the people do not yet know what the Bible teaches. They use the same language, but define the terms differently. New believers who have no teaching don't know the difference. Unfortunately, neither to some older believers in the US - because we would rather be "inspired" than taught. But if what Paul is saying here is true, then the primary responsibility we have as Christians is to learn the doctrine delivered by the Apostles and passed on to us. Only then can we obey it. But we cannot obey a teaching that we have not learned. So learn! Go to the old sources and find out what the Bible is saying. Then live it! We will live as slaves one way or the other. I prefer to be a slave to righteousness. How about you?

Pastor Ken