The Poetry of God
August 17, 2009

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

Many people believe a lie these days: that lie is that doctrine is dry and dusty and boring.

With that in mind, read John 1:1 again: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

That’s doctrine, my friends. It establishes the pre-existence of Christ (“in the beginning was the Word”), the nature of Christ as the full expression of God (“the Word”), the relationship within the Godhead (“the Word was with God”), and the unity of the Godhead (“the Word was God”). All in seventeen words that sparkle with life, glow with power, and are the epitome of the poetry of God.

Doctrine isn’t about complicated phrases, esoteric facts, and polysyllabic words. Doctrine is simply the study of real life: who God is, who man is, why we’re in trouble on this earth, and what God decided to do about it.

Doctrine is the most practical topic you will ever study, because in it you will find answers to the deepest questions that have ever troubled mankind: What is the greatest good? Why do bad things happen to good people? How can I be free of guilt? Is there eternal justice?

Because doctrine is about life, it brings freedom, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, character, depth, maturity, and discernment.

Because doctrine is about God, it brings you closer and closer into an intimate relationship with your Creator, your Savior, your Sanctifier.

Doctrine isn’t dry and dusty … we are. So cleanse your mind and heart with the refreshing water of the Word of the Lord and discover anew how magnificent is the God we serve!

• How good is your knowledge of Christian doctrine (that is, your understanding of God, man, sin, salvation, Christ, etc.)?
• How would you characterize the time you spend reading your Bible? Are you giving it a quick read or a thorough study? Do you spend time meditating on what you read? Determining how to apply it to your life?
• How would you explain the gospel (which carries with it many of the major points of Christian doctrine) to someone who is completely unfamiliar with Christian “lingo”?