Mercy and Truth

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart” Proverbs 3:3. The wise man Solomon tells us in this passage the importance of holding on to mercy and truth with all our might. Mercy, an attribute of God, is a characteristic he wishes all of us to have. Jesus stated, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” Matthew 5:7. Mercy is a necessary trait we all must show if we wish to obtain mercy from God.

Solomon also stresses the importance of finding truth and holding on to it closely. Solomon states “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding” Proverbs 23:23. Truth was very important to Solomon. Truth is just as important today. Pilate, during Jesus’ trial, asked, “What is truth?”, John 18.38. Jesus answers this question: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” John 17:17. Truth, which Solomon held so dear, which we are to buy and never sell, bind about our necks, and write upon our hearts, is only found in the word of God.

Solomon states the result of being merciful and accepting truth; “So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man” Proverbs 3:4. Being merciful and loving truth lets people see the love our Father in heaven has for all men and women, as Jesus stated, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” Matthew 5:16. Perhaps more importantly, loving mercy and truth makes us right with God. Having mercy brings to us God’s mercy. Loving truth allows the soul to be saved, as Peter stated, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren” 1 Peter 1:22a. In order to “find favor and good understanding” with God, we must acknowledge the truth, (2 Timothy 2.25), love the truth, (2 Thess. 2.10), and obey the truth! Truth is very important to God.

What is truth? Where do we find truth? Solomon once again answers these questions, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. Trust in God and in the truth he gave in his word. We must acknowledge him as the only truth giver. Truth is only found in God’s word. God’s truth is not found in creed books or in conventions. God has given us all things that pertain to life and Godliness (2 Pt. 1.3), and it is found in his Holy Word. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Are you seeking truth? Find it in God’s word.

Is Doctrine Important?

Is doctrine important to God? Many people presume that doctrine is not important to God as long as a person believes in God and has faith. However, the Bible teaching on doctrine is very clear. Doctrine, defined as “that which is taught” or “instruction”, is very important to God. Without doctrine, there can be no obedience to God’s instructions for salvation. Without doctrine, we could never learn about belief or faith in God.

The inspired writers tell us many things about doctrine in the Bible. Doctrine, used in this sense, is nothing more than the teaching and instruction we receive from the Lord. Paul stated, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. From this passage we see that all scriptures contain the necessary doctrine, among other things, to make the people of God complete and ready to do any and every good work. Without doctrine the negative of this is true; we are not complete and will never be ready to do any good work. Doctrine is important to God.

Doctrine is so important to God that he commands that all men teach and obey the doctrine that has been delivered. Paul stated, “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou might charge some that they teach no other doctrine” 1 Timothy 1:3. Paul thought it important for all men to teach the same doctrine. Paul taught the young minister Timothy, “If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now” 1 Timothy 4:6. Notice the connection between the “words of faith” and “the good doctrine”. Without doctrine, there is no faith, for doctrine is simply the teaching that is brought to us by faith.

Paul taught that God’s doctrine is vitally important because of its relationship with the words of Jesus Christ. Paul stated “If any man teaches a different doctrine, and consents not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is puffed up, knowing nothing” 1 Timothy 6:3-4. Notice the connection with doctrine and sound words, which are the “words of our Lord Jesus Christ”. If we continue in the doctrine, we are that much closer to godliness. Without teaching the doctrine, we become “puffed up” and show our lack of knowledge. True knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ comes to us by the doctrine that he spoke. Therefore, as Christians, we must strive to fulfill the command Paul gave to Titus; “But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine” Titus 2:1.