The Doctrine Which We Have Learned

The Doctrine Which We Have Learned

“Now I exhort you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.” Rom. 16:17.

What is this doctrine that we have learned? What was this doctrine that the Romans had received? In a few words it was: to be obedient! Paul begins by saying that he had received grace and apostleship to effect the obedience of faith among all the nations to the glory of Christ’s name. Rom. 1:5. Furthermore, in verses 3-4 and in Chapter 8:3-4 he explains the work God did in His Son, so that the requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. He gives many exhortations in this epistle, especially in Chapter 12.

Only by being obedient can we partake of this glory. Jesus learned obedience during the time of His sojourn here on earth (Heb. 5:8), and He has become a Savior for those who obey Him. V. 9. There is neither salvation nor transformation without obedience. It was through obedience that Jesus glorified the Father. Jesus gave the words He was given by the Father to His disciples, and they kept them. Thereby they could glorify Jesus and be one, just as He and the Father are one. John 17:4-8, 22-23. This cannot become true without obedience.

Paul explains further that he was a steward of the gospel of God to the intent that the Gentiles might become a sacrifice. He would not dare to speak of anything but what Christ had accomplished through him, in word and deed, in order to lead the Gentiles to obedience. Rom. 15:16-18.

If the Gentiles were to be led to obedience, they had to become a sacrifice. Jesus became a sacrifice for our offenses, but He was raised up to be our Lord. Ch. 14:9, 4:25. We have to obey Christ if He is to be our Lord. Many people have received Him as an offering for sin, but they do not want Him as Lord. Col. 2:6. We have to be a sacrifice to receive Jesus as Lord. The one who obeys is sacrificed. Therefore Jesus has to be our only Lord and Master. Jude 4.

They did not want Him as their only Lord and Master; therefore they turned grace into licentiousness. They wanted grace to cover their licentiousness instead of being saved and set free from licentiousness by grace. It says that they “crept in.” From that time on they have worked, so that it is false grace that rules.

Believers are divided into many groups with different doctrines. But what is their boasting? They boast of many people, much money, beautiful churches and meeting halls. Paul did not dare to speak of anything but what Christ had accomplished through him in order to lead the Gentiles to obedience. In our days preachers dare to speak about completely different things. They speak (among other things) about Jesus having fulfilled the law in our place. All these denominations are a result of divisions and taking offense at the doctrine about obedience, the very doctrine which the Romans had received, with the result that their obedience had become known to all. We should take note of this, for the development has gone in the direction of the religious world having matured to the point of receiving the Antichrist. He is called the lawless one and is the opposite of Jesus and the bride, who fulfilled the law. These are two opposing directions in development. Jesus’ direction is to learn obedience—to fulfill the law. Those who abide in His Word are His true disciples. They are also becoming one as the Father and the Son are one. John 8:31, 17:20-23. The direction of the Antichrist is to turn grace into licentiousness, so that it shall cover sin instead of reigning through righteousness to eternal life. Rom. 5:21. They glory in Jesus as their sin offering, but they do not want to have Him as Lord. They can never be one, for Satan divides and destroys. Lawlessness increases, and they are conformed to this world. Together with the world they are maturing to receive Antichrist, the lawless one.

Now it is necessary, more than ever before, to keep an eye on such people and avoid them, for they serve “their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Rom. 16:18. Each and every one has to take care in which direction he is developing.