From The Beginning Of Christianity We Have Been Exhorted To Attend To The Doctrines Of The Faith

Jesus answered them and said,

"My doctrine is not Mine, but 

His who sent Me. If anyone wills

to do His will, he shall know 

concerning the doctrine, 

whether it is from God or

whether I speak on My 

own authority."

John 7:16-17

     Doctrine, the very word is considered pejorative by many Churches, especially those that are liberal and are cultural. Hide from doctrine and when the light of understanding is lit, you will find that they who oppose doctrine have a doctrine. Authentic Biblical Christians have a responsibility to know when a doctrine is not Scriptural. It is by trickery of men that certain doctrines, no matter how Biblical they may sound, with even some evidence that is convincing, yet we must know the Scripture and by prepared to address these false doctrines: And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of he body of Christ, till we all come to he unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ..." (Ephesians 4:11-15). Many people practice a form of Christianity, as they would call it, which is only a form of ethics, and of certain behaviors, such as to be found in cults, and the conclusion is: that this form of "Christianity" is an unScriptural religion.   

    Let us make application to our lives. Here are some questions to consider: Have you/we cast ourselves completely on the grace of God and the work of Jesus Christ? Do you/we consider these the only source of hope in life? Are we progressing in our affection for the Lord and taking advantage of all resources provided by Him to deepen our lives? Our prayers in humbleness to God ask for pardon and grace given by our Savior Jesus Christ. Asking God for repentance, for those sins we have committed and those we commit by omission. It is by striving continually in these things and growing in love and sanctification that then we can be filled with joy and peace and hope, by the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Seek to study the Bible, diligently making cause for rational thinking that is rooted in the truth of the Bible, and not some doctrinal position that is forced to fit the Bible to prove that which is not Scriptural. 

     It makes no sense to take the name of Christian and not cling to Christ. Jesus is not some magic charm to give us good luck, or to be used as a vending machine to give to us all that we want or desire. Our desire is to practice the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives continually. Let us have His name written on our hearts creating in us and through a powerful and profound experience, an experience of peace and a heart that is full with His praise. 

But all things that are exposed

    are made manifest by the light,

for whatever makes manifest is light.

     Therefore He says:

'Awake, you who sleep,

     Arise from the dad,

And Christ will give you light.'

                                   Ephesians 5:13-14

Give Praise To God---You Are Alive

Richard L. Crumb