For Christians, there are two ways we could falter. We can know and not do or we can do and not know.

Today's Ministry Moment from Pastor John Samuel Barnett shows that a healthy believer feeds on doctrine and displays spiritual growth.

For us during this time of the church age it's even hard to pinpoint where we fall. Apathy on both sides of spectrum are charged against us and warned about in Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth."

Puritan John Owen said, "It is better that our affections exceed our light from the defect of our understands, than that our light exceed our affections from the corruption of our wills. Timothy Keller translates Owen as "If we are going to be imbalanced, better that we be doctrinally weak and have a vital prayer life and a real sense of God on the heart than that we get all our doctrine straight and be cold and spiritually hard." Paul said something similar in 1 Corinthians 13 "... do not have love, it profits me nothing".

But look at the resources we have today! We have more Bibles at our fingertips than at any other time in human history. We have places where freedom allows pastors and teachers to help us apply the Word of God and understand sound doctrine. We have the internet and media and books covering any specific item you might want to learn about or work on. In one sitting you can learn about the doctrine of election and learn about how to biblically develop patience.

We don't need to choose between doctrine and application. We shouldn't settle for one or the other. We will be held accountable by Christ if we settle "And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes, but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." (Luke 12:47-48).

Let us never settle but let us encourage ourselves and disciple others to feed on doctrine and display spiritual growth.

https://youtu.be/VO3VCxFWQQk