PROPER FOR SOUND DOCTRINE
"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine." Titus 2:1
There are three great foundational truths that constitute the basis of our Christian faith.
I. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT MAN
1. Man is a sinner by nature
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." Romans 5:12.
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5.
2. Man is a sinner by choice
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6.
3. Man cannot save himself from sin
"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
"whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:3-7 (NKJV)
II. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT SIN
1. Sin is appealing to all men
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked according to the course of this world…among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others." Ephesians 2:1-3.
2. Sin alienates man from God
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." Isaiah 59:2.
3. Sin produces spiritual death
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
III. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT GOD
1. God will eternally condemn the unrepentant sinner
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3.
2. God desires the salvation of every man
"The Lord is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9
3. God completely forgives the repentant sinner
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9.
"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins." Isaiah 43:25.
CONCLUSION
Hymnwriter H. Ernest Nichol in the hymn "We’ve a Story to Tell" captures in song that which is proper for sound doctrine.
WE’VE A STORY TO TELL
We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall turn their hearts to the right,
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
We’ve a song to be sung to the nations,
That shall lift their hearts to the Lord,
A song that shall conquer evil,
And shatter the spear and sword.
We’ve a message to give to the nations,
That the Lord who reigneth above
Hath sent us His Son to save us,
And show us that God is love.
We’ve a Savior to show to the nations,
Who the path of sorrow hath trod,
That all of the world’s great peoples
May come to the truth of God.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And the dawning to noon-day bright,
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
The kingdom of love and light.
...And when our Lord Jesus returns in power and glory at His second coming, His great kingdom shall indeed come on earth...but until He comes let us not cease to point men, as did John the Baptist, "to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."
