Did you say “doctrine”? - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone wills to do his will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak on my own authority.
John 7:16.17

Did you say "doctrine"?
Doctrine! This word has a bad taste even among Christians. For some it is the cause of division, for others a danger of sectarianism. It may be the case that doctrine can easily become an uncompromising ideology if separated from its source: God Himself.

Just what is Christian doctrine? Simply teaching God's thoughts. Reading the Bible, we discover how the living God acts graciously to rescue and save us. His words explain the sense of His actions. Jesus Himself both acted and taught (cf. Acts 1,1). He spoke of His doctrine in John 7, and after His resurrection asked His apostles to spread His teaching to all the nations (Matthew 28, 20).

Biblical doctrine is not an ideology, but a revelation. The early Christians "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine (Acts 2, 42). We are encouraged to "hold fast" sound doctrine (Titus 1, 9) and to "abide in the doctrine of Christ" (2 John v. 9).

True, we are not saved by knowledge as such, but by faith in the one Saviour, Jesus Christ. However, it is by means of what the Bible teaches that we understand God's plan for us. Doctrine is given us so that our faith increases, and we love God with all our heart and mind and in a way that pleases Him.