That FORM of Doctrine (Part 2 - Inform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 2 - Inform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Inform (Information - The Work of Faith)

Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart THAT FORM OF DOCTRINE which was delivered you.

If you are not delivering a sound form of doctrine, all you are doing is preaching stories and fables based on a vain imagination.

Rom_1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

1Ti_1:4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith:

2Ti_1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

What do we mean by form?

The doctrine and sound words that Paul gave to us by inspiration of God is structured in a specific form. It’s in the form of a curriculum that is designed to save us and then educate us from babes in Christ to sons of God. Since it has a design, we cannot just live on a few favourite scriptures. We cannot isolate a few passages and not study the form.

There is a specific shape, pattern, or definition to how we are to build upon the foundation laid by Paul.

1Co_3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

God wants you to be transformed into a very specific image,

Col_3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Information

Doctrine can only take on form in you when you become informed. The doctrine needs to come into you through instruction and God’s inspiration. Instruction is a structure built up in you. Over time, we need to have enough of God’s word built up in us to have information that can mold and shape our lives, our choices, and our actions towards righteousness and godliness. When we become informed about our doctrine it is essentially the work of faith in our hearts. It lays a firm foundation within us and then it starts to form a stable structure of principles and values within us that effect our thoughts, our words, and our actions, bringing them in line with righteousness and godliness.

Pro 2:1-9  My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;  (2)  So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;  (3)  Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;  …  (5)  Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God …  (9)  Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

Psa_119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Without knowledge of God’s word, you will stumble around in the dark. You will have no sure path to walk. The word of God is given to build a form of doctrine within us so we know how to live; to know right from wrong, to know God’s will.

The Word of God is structured in a specific form that can build up a solid and sure doctrine in us. However, the form will have no effect within us unless we are informed about it. We need to get the form of doctrine into us through being exposed to its information. The next step in the process is transformation. Unless the form of doctrine is informed in us, we cannot become transformed by the renewing of our mind. To be informed about our doctrine we must expose ourselves to it. Reading it, studying it, meditating upon it, memorizing it, singing it, and any other method of getting it into us through our eyes and our ears.