Doctrinal correctness is vital to the health of a local church. Just as a physician needs to know the human body and how it works, the leadership of a local church needs to know and teach the major doctrines of Scripture.

But every church (and every Christian) needs to know that “being right” about the doctrines of Christianity is not the summit.  It’s base camp. Doctrinal correctness is the minimum standard of our calling as Christians — the foundation we launch from in our upward call.

As Paul says, in 1 Timothy 1:5, the purpose of correct teaching is love. Love is the summit. Certainly if we undercut correct doctrine, then we will never reach a summit of love — we actually end up somewhere else entirely.

But we should never congratulate ourselves for reaching base camp. Many times base camp needs to be defended — this is clear from the Scriptures. But those who fight for correct doctrine, must always know that orthodoxy is a launching pad for the love of God.

The real work has only just begun. Forgiving, bearing with those who sin against us, having mercy, laboring for justice, sharing the good news, and a thousand other acts of service issue from correct doctrine.  This is one of Jesus’ sharpest rebukes to the religious leaders of his day. They “strained a gnat, but swallowed a camel.” They neglected the “weighter things of the law, things like justice and mercy.” Jesus went on to counsel those listening to the leader’s sermons to “do as they say, but not as they do.”

So we should teach people to “guard their doctrine closely.” But if we are going to celebrate, we should celebrate what issues forth from correct belief. And if something other than love, mercy, forgiveness, long-suffering, and sacrifice comes out of our correct doctrine, then we should be sure to know that our “right doctrine” is no greater than the demons — beings who know God, but are destined for the lake of fire.