Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 11:1-6.
“I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.” 2 Corinthians 11:1-6.
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“Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-24.
Doctrinal standards, like creeds a/k/a confessions, are often viewed with suspicion and distaste. They are viewed as dry and divisive. But, creeds are important and necessary to help us determine what is good and what is bad. Some teachings may seem good in isolation (alone, without comparison), but when we compare them to our well-established creeds, we can determine that such teachings are false and misleading.
Our Reformed Confessions are: Belgic Confession, Canons of Dordt, Heidelberg Catechism, and Westminister Larger Confession. They are all organized and easily readable. I particularly recommend that you start by reading the Canons of Dordt, because it focuses on the specific subject of salvation and is the distinctive heart of Reformed Doctrine. There are links to these Reformed Confessions under “Links” in the right column, and there is a tab on the top of the page titled: “A Plea for Creeds” which further explains the importance of creeds.
In addition to our creeds, we can trust God Who sanctifies us entirely and Who preserves us completely. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13 “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24.
So, let us be diligent to use what God has provided. Let us use Scripture and our creeds to “examine everything carefully”. Let us pray and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us and keep us in all truth.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 