Jn. 7:16 π 1 Tim. 6:3 π 2 Jn. 9
Doctrines were meant as guides for proper Christian believing and behavior. However, as groups and denominations, and even full gospel people, became more apostate in their Christian walk, loopholes had to be invented to give license to the sin in their apostasy. So traditions and regulations of men usurped the authority Scripture had formerly held, and so another step toward the darkness of ungodliness, in the form of man-made doctrines, emasculated the Christian Church. These carnally-manufactured doctrines fostered divisions in the already ailing body of Christ until, in the gravest hour of the Church, it is like Samson in the lap of Delilah, defeated and void of power.
Man’s last and futile attempt to promote the necessary unity has ended in an ecumenical program united only in structure, progressing only in one direction: toward human power, which can only minister death.
In 2 Jn. 9 , we have a clear-cut expression of an acceptable doctrine: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” (top) Conversely, whoever abides not in the belief and acceptance of Christ into his life has neither the Father nor the Son. Timothy says to teach no other doctrine!
Does your pet doctrine promote the self-seeking and glory of a particular group or idea? Does it make your group exclusively right, or does it promote men to surrender to serve God, apart from man-made traditions, in complete selflessness and abandonment to God and His Scriptures?
Would Jesus’ doctrine be sufficient for us to embrace? He said, “My doctrine is not Mine but His that sent Me.” ( Jn. 7:16; top ) So, obviously when we become one with the Father, as the Son is, we will have the proper, acceptable doctrines. Any deviation from this will result in human interference, a mixture that will never glorify God.
Jesus and the Father do not have any doctrinal differences, therefore Jesus was and is God’s revelation for us, as other doctrines fade from the scene.
Would we be willing to pray: “Lord, take away all doctrinal differences between You and me”?
Sin is not measured by a doctrine, but by a person.
“...and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.” ( 1 Tim. 6:3; top )
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