It seems all the rage to say something like, “I just want to love Jesus.” What is implied by most who use this mantra is “Why are you making such a big deal about all that stuff in the Bible. Just major on Jesus and don’t worry about the rest.” Doctrine has been made into the bad guy. Interesting concept. I wonder what Athanasius, Jerome, Augustine, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Justin Martyr, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Bunyan, Richard Baxter, John Hus, Zwingli, John Owen, Charles Spurgeon, and J.C. Ryle - just to name a few - would say to that?
I cannot tell you how ridiculous this is - that somehow doctrine stands in the way to our devotion to Christ. Put these same words in the mouth of a child about their parent and the absurdity becomes apparent. I say to my boy, “Son I don’t want you to put you finger in the outlet. It will hurt you.” My son replies “But I just want to love you dad.” (And by the way, this is not a made up illustration, this has been an actual conversation in our house.)
It doesn't matter if you slap those words on the statement. These words are just an attempt at manipulation. My response to my boy, “Son if you love me you will obey me. Your love for me is tested by your willingness to follow my orders.” Lest this sound overly harsh let us only remember the words of the One we love. Jesus, “If you love me then you will keep my commandments." Love is best displayed by obedience not by simple lip service and certainly not words in an environment where the popular thing is to be spiritual.
Doctrine informs and motivates devotion. With the wrong doctrine you will ultimately operate with devotion for the wrong thing. If you as a soldier operate with full devotion to the wrong orders you will still be a bad soldier who ends up court marshaled. Devotion must be informed by doctrine if it is to be orthodox and obedience to only part of the orders given you is no obedience at all.
Many act as if God has failed to speak. They act as if He were silent. They even act as if those concerned with understanding the full list of instructions are less loving and devoted than those who only pay attention to a portion.
I tell my son, “Go give your brother a drink and do it kindly.” The boy walks over gives him a drink followed by a quick punch to the head. Now, how then would you expect me to deal with this situation? Would you expect me to praise him? Absurd!
Now let’s flip that illustration. He walks over and hugs his brother and gives him a kiss but never gives him a drink. How should I then deal with this scenario? It changes nothing, obedience was still ignored in favor of what he preferred.
Doctrine + Devotion.
No devotion is worthwhile if it is not a devotion to carry out the full extent of the instructions. You devote your self only to “loving Jesus” well what does that mean outside of faithfully doing what he says?
“Acknowledge the LORD in all your ways” says Solomon, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” says the Savior. Love is known by obedience, by fruit. If I say that I love God but hate my brother in I am a liar (1John 4:20). This is speaking of the nexus between word and deed. You can talk all day long about how much you love God but the litmus test for all the world to see is the way you treat your brother.
You are talking to your momma. You are having a fine conversation but you have the habit of only listening to the things you want to hear. What is she going to deduce about your affection for her? Or rather what should she deduce about your affection for her? That your affection for her is less than your affection for yourself.
Mom says, “I love your hair, but that shirt is dog ugly. You should go change it, please.”
You walk away from mom and conclude what? Mom has good taste in hair but bad taste in shirts. You accept the part you like and discard the part you don’t. You evidence that you don’t agree with mom about attire, you value your own opinion over and against hers. “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word from the mouth of God.” God connects the His Word to Himself. To regard Him in the things I like and to discard Him in the things I don’t is the same as discarding Him! Jesus and His words go together.
