Heavenly Doctrine
Deuteronomy 32:1-4
The doctrine
of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ is heavenly doctrine. It is the
doctrine of Holy Scripture. In these four verses of his song, Moses describes
the doctrine of the gospel by seven distinguishing characteristics. By these
seven things, true, gospel doctrine may be identified.
1. IT DROPS
AS THE DEW AND THE RAIN FROM HEAVEN. Like the rain and the dew from heaven, the
gospel of grace is from God. He is the Origin of it and the Revealer of it. The
only way any man can know it is to be taught of God. Like the rain and the dew,
it is refreshing, delightful, reviving, and vital.
2. THE
DOCTRINE OF GOD DECLARES THE NAME OF THE LORD. That is to say, it publishes all
the character of God as his character is set forth in his names: Jehovah-jireh,
the Lord who provides (Gen. 22:14), Jehovah-rapha, the Lord who heals (Ex.
15:26), Jehovah-nissi, the Lord our Banner (Ex. 17:15), Jehovah-shaloam, the
Lord our Peace (Judges 6:22-24), Jehovah-tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness
(Jer. 23:6), Jehovah-shammah, the Lord who is there (Ezek. 48:35), and
Jehovah-Jesus, the Lord who saves (Gen. 43:3; Matt. 1:21).
3. HEAVENLY
DOCTRINE ASCRIBES ALL GREATNESS TO GOD AND CALLS FOR ALL MEN TO DO SO (Psa.
115:1).It ascribes greatness to God in his Person and in all his works.Any
doctrine that ascribes greatness to man is not of God.
4. THE
DOCTRINE OF THE BIBLE ASSERTS THAT GOD IN CHRIST IS THE ROCK, not a rock, but
"THE ROCK!" That God who is the Rock is our Savior, the man Christ
Jesus (I Cor. 10:4). He is the foundation Rock, the Rock of refuge, and the
Rock of hope. Build on him. Hide in him. Hope in him.
5. TRUE
DOCTRINE DECLARES THAT ALL HIS WORK IS PERFECT. When rightly understood, all
God's work is one work, and it is perfect. His work is the salvation of his
people for the glory of his name (Isa. 63:12, 14; Eph. 1:3-14).
6. GOSPEL
DOCTRINE AVOWS THAT ALL GOD'S WAYS ARE JUDGMENT. Everything he does in
creation, providence, and grace reveals his wisdom and his justice.
7. HEAVENLY
DOCTRINE REVEALS THE TRUE GOD WHO IS "A GOD OF TRUTH." He cannot lie.
He is without iniquity or deception. He is just and right in all he does.
Don Fortner