"But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may instruct the young women in sensibility: to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be slandered.
Likewise urge the younger men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be a model of good works, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in word which is irreproachable, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Urge slaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be pleasing, not contradicting, not pilfering, but demonstrating all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in everything." Titus 2:1-10
This, fellow believers, is Paul's definition of 'sound doctrine.' Take notice of all the 'to be' rather than 'to believe' statements. Sound doctrine is teaching that produces godly living. Paul emphasizes this in his second letter to Timothy:
"Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to depart from wickedness."" (2:19)
Other apostles agree:
- "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27)
- "The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:7-8) No mention is made of correcting our systematic theology!
- Jesus mentions coming back like a thief in the night repeatedly. In every case, He warns us to be careful of our behaviour—not our doctrine! (e.g., Luke 12:45-46)
- Revelation has seven letters to congregations from Jesus. All of them address the works of those congregations—not their doctrinal teachings! (Rev. 2-3)
- Matthew reports Jesus as saying that when He judges the sheep and the goats, (Matt. 25:31-46), His only concern will be their kindness towards others.
The comments of the early Christians agree:
"The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognized by their conduct." —Ignatius (Epistle to the Ephesians 14)
"There is no other way than this: to become acquainted with this Christ, to be washed in the fountain spoken of by Isaiah for the remission of sins, and for the rest, to live sinless lives." —Justin Martyr (First Apology 44).
When someone joins a "church" today, it is normal for them to be shown a statement of faith and to agree with it. However, how many "churches" inform their members that a person who makes a true profession of faith stops sinning? Worse yet, our statements of faith generally consist of doctrines that can be taught in a classroom but that have little to no effect on our lives.
Paul's "statement of faith" asks a lot concerning our way of living. Doctrine needs to be practical. It must be "doctrine conforming to godliness" (1 Tim. 6:3). On the last day, Jesus will ask how well we have done—not how well we have understood theology (Matt. 25:31-46). Paul knew what would happen to those who lost focus on the transforming righteousness imparted from God:
"If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words—those of our Lord Jesus Christ—and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing but having a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain." (1 Tim. 6:3-5)
The early "church" never lost sight of the fact that behaviour is more important than belief. They were more concerned with fruit than with theological dogma. The early Christians were centered on the Lord Jesus and His kingdom. The gospel of the kingdom is not theology; it is about people entering into an obedient love-faith relationship with King Jesus and bearing fruit. God cares more about our fruit than about our supposed "theology."