John 7:16, Jesus said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.” It leads us to ask the question; Does doctrine matter? Is it important today? Is it relevant today? These are important questions. I was recently told that our doctrine was old-fashioned and outdated, so it implores us to answer those questions. Think about it, why would Jesus bother to inform us that the source of His doctrine was from His Father? Does anyone really believe that Jesus could have taught any doctrine He pleased and still laid claim to be God’s Son? His love for God bound Him to teach only His doctrine.

Obeying the right doctrine frees us from our sin. The Romans obeyed a specific form of doctrine in order to be freed from sin. “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

Teaching the wrong doctrine invalidates our worship. In Matthew 15:9 Jesus said, “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” The fact that so many denominational groups teach as doctrines the commandments of men no doubt explains why they want to convince us that doctrine is unimportant. If doctrine doesn’t matter then it’s open season to do what one wants in life and in worship. Following the wrong doctrine results in departing from the faith. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (I Timothy 4:1).