"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ . . . to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse." "I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 1:1,2; Col. 2:1-3)

The third chapter of Ecclesiastes gives a running account of how God planned for there to be seasons of good and bad events in the history of His creation, its fall, and the process of our redemption. He said, "There is a time for every purpose (of God) under heaven." The good and bad are both "beautiful in His time," for they are germane to his overall plan for mankind, and our redemption. The subject continues through verse seventeen, at least.

Before God left the subject, He defined for us how it all related to His work, and how He had hidden His work from even His own children. In so doing, with incredible clarity and brevity, He gave us the definition of The Key of Knowledge. Solomon faithfully recorded these words, as he was moved upon by the Spirit of the Lord. "Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

"God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." (Rom 6:17)

That form of doctrine to which Paul refers in Romans chapter six is the doctrine which calls sinners to forsake their sins and yield their lives as servants unto righteousness. It is the doctrine which directs mankind to the door of entry into a place of favor with The Almighty God, who created all things for His own pleasure and glory. All of mankind has drifted far away from that place because of the fall of Adam, and God has provided a means of reconciliation through the sacrifice of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, for our sins.

Once a person has been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, by repentance and forgiveness of sins, the need for doctrine does not go away. Paul told Timothy that a continued faithfulness to doctrine plays a very important role in our ultimate salvation. We are able to "endure to the end" by adherence to the doctrine of Jesus Christ as well as the "Apostles’ doctrine." (Acts 2:41,42) In writing to the young Timothy, Paul said,

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (manner of life), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee." (1 Tim. 4:12-16)