Practical Teaching?

At our church we definitely focus on doctrine. I do not apologize for this. I strongly feel that this is what is lacking in Christianity today. We’ve been preached at our whole lives and it results in very little spiritual growth. However, we also teach verse by verse. The benefit of this is that we cover every verse in the book we are studying at the time. This method results in learning a wide variety of practical teaching. Our Apostle Paul constantly speaks to practical principles, and advise, for our daily living. Some people complain about too much doctrine. Thankfully Paul has plenty of practical teaching to keep everyone happy. Ephesians is a perfect example of the balance between practical and doctrinal. The first three chapters of this book are chocked full of some of the most important doctrinal information in the entire Bible. So unbelievable that most of us grew up in church and were never taught the truths of right division and the mystery revealed by Paul. I can’t even imagine if I had heard the truths of the mystery earlier in life how much further I would be in my spiritual understanding. I tell our church regularly that the Bible is a lifelong study no matter when you start. The second half of the book of Ephesians is some of the most practical teaching in all of scripture. Paul lays out the principles of how to “walk worthy”. We learn how to “grow up in him”. We learn the principles of the body being “fitly joined together”. We learn the vital principles to “put off” the old man and to “put on” the new man. How to not “grieve” the Holy Spirit whereby we are sealed. Not being deceived by “vain words” Jesus’ position of “head of the church”. We learn Paul’s patterns of prayer and our need for “utterance” to share the “mystery of the gospel”. Some might say studying Paul’s doctrine is not very practical. Pauline doctrine is some of the most practical teaching in the whole of scripture. Paul’s teaching is the backbone of Christian living. You cannot be pleasing to God in this age without a thorough understanding of Paul’s teaching for our daily walk and work. Unfortunately, most of Christianity tries to live their life trying to follow the red letters in their Bible. The red letters are valuable, profitable, and important in their context. I read, study, and believe every red letter in scripture. But I do not try to follow all the concepts Jesus taught in the red letters in my daily life and neither should you. Why? Scripture tells me not to. Jesus tells me not to. Context tells me not to. Paul tells me not to. I believe scripture over tradition and thus I follow the person Jesus tells me to in this age. This is the most practical advice you can live by! There is no substitute for a clear objective and set of instructions for life. Jesus gave them to you. Jesus revealed them through Paul to us. Colossians 1:25. Our job is to believe these practical instructions and live by them every day we walk this earth. How are you doing?