When the word "doctrine" is mentioned it’s easy to envision dry complicated statements written in giant, unreadable books. It tends to come to mind as something for great theologians and scholars only not something for normal Christians to bother with.
Not only that, doctrine is often spoken of as something that disrupts unity, is unloving and best avoided. It is considered wise and reasonable to go about life without claiming to be completely certain about any doctrinal truth and to be willing to change at a moments notice with just a small push from someone else.
J.C. Ryle’s quote is a fresh reminder of how dangerous and unprofitable this thinking is. In this part of his book Holiness he speaks quite strongly against it. J.C. Ryle is now in glory with Christ and the times he live in have passed by, but even back then there was a need for his words on doctrine and if they were needed back then, how much more are they needed now!
(1 Timothy 6:3-5)
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness,
he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions,
and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
“The sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and teaching that accords with godliness” this is what (sound)doctrine really is. When we think of good doctrine we should actually think of God's word and the gospel.
"The victories of Christianity, wherever they have been won, have been won by distinct doctrinal theology, by telling men roundly of Christ's vicarious death and sacrifice, by showing them Christ's substitution on the cross and His precious blood, by teaching them justification by faith and bidding them believe on a crucified Savior by preaching ruin by sin, redemption by Christ, regeneration by the Spirit, by lifting up the bronze serpent, by telling men to look and live, to believe, repent and be converted." -J.C. Ryle
Doctrine can definitely be a very complicated thing; many doctrinal books are difficult to read (I can testify haha), and some things are just plain hard to understand, but really, at the heart of Christian doctrine is the gospel and the gospel is the only way of salvation.
Jesus died on the cross to pay for sins, but what does that mean? Who is Jesus? Why did he need to die for our sins? What is sin? Who did Christ die for?
Do you see how doctrine starts to be important? These are all doctrinal questions that we need to answer and be decided on otherwise everything we say will be nothing more than meaningless phrases and we might find that we do not understand the very basis of our faith
"Now I do beseech all who read this message, to beware of this undecided state of mind in religion. It is a pestilence which walks in darkness, and a destruction that kills in noonday. It it is a lazy, idle frame of soul for which there is no warrant in the Bible. For your own souls sake, dare to make up your mind what you believe, and dare to have positive distinct views of truth and error. Never, never be afraid to hold decided doctrinal opinions; and let no fear of man and no morbid dread of being thought party-spirited, narrow or controversial, make you rest contented with a bloodless, boneless, tasteless, colorless, lukewarm, undogmatic Christianity." -J.C. Ryle
Because of this, it is so vitally important to know what we believe and be thoroughly decided on what we hold to doctrinally.
We do this by vigorously studying scripture, learning what it says, what Christ himself said and unashamedly confessing it (perhaps also writing it down). It's simply coming to a knowledge of what God has said and wholeheartedly agreeing with it. This definitely can be done by studying the writings of believers and lovers of God’s word (like J.C. Ryle). This is where statements of faith can be incredibly helpful, but always remember to test everything against scripture! This is something I do need to grow in personally. Studying God's word takes work, but it is worth it.
Simply affirming a statement of faith is not enough to claim to have sound doctrine. Sound doctrine is supposed to lead to sound living.
(Titus 2:1)
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
Paul says this right before laying out some very practical instructions for how believers are to live.
What we believe directly effects how we live; if it doesn’t we’ve got to ask ourselves if we truly believe it. I affirm that God is holy, holy holy and that everything is to be done for his glory alone, but does that reflect in my life? Do I really believe it if it doesn’t affect my life in any way?
If you notice when Paul warned of those who held to a “different doctrine” he said they were puffed up with conceit, knowing nothing and quarrelsome. We need to be careful not to fall into bad doctrine or it will lead us into that. Right doctrine leads to obedience, wrong doctrine to disobedience.
Whether we know it or not we all hold to a doctrine of sorts and we are living according to it. I want to encourage you (and for myself!) to go to scripture and test everything against it, then boldly make up your mind on what you believe. Don't be afraid to agree with God and his Word. We should not be ashamed of the doctrinal truths of the gospel for which thousands have died.
These are the most important things in all the world and we should strive to understand them and grow in knowledge of Lord and His truth.