"If you make doctrine the main thing, you are very likely to grow narrow-minded. If you make your own experience the main thing, you will become gloomy and critical of others. If you make ordinances the main thing, you will be apt to grow merely formal. But you can never make too much of the living Christ Jesus. Remember that all things else are for his sake. Doctrines and ordinances are the planets, but Christ is the sun. Get to love him best of all."--Charles Spurgeon
I appreciate this quote because instead of pitting doctrine over and against love for Jesus, Spurgeon puts it in right priority. It's not that we abandon doctrine to love Jesus, but we remember that all things are for his sake. We study doctrine because we want to know and love Jesus more. We observe the ordinances because we want to remember and proclaim what Jesus has done for us. We cherish our experience so far as it leads us to greater affection and zeal for the Savior. He is the sun. Every other priority and activity of the Christian life orbits around him.
5 Comments
Great reminder!
This relates perfectly to the study of [italic]Systematic Theology[/italic] by Wayne Grudem that is starting up over at The Rebelution. What a great reminder of the balance we need as we study doctrine!
Once again, Mr. Spurgeon gets it right! Thanks for sharing this.
I second that...a great reminder to keep the right perspective on things. Doctrine is good insofar that it leads us to Christ and not to vain head knowledge apart from Christ. Good stuff.
thanks for sharing =)
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