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Saturday, October
24, 2009
Give Attendance To Doctrine
1 Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give
attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (KJV)
Again, a few of the definitions for ‘give
attendance’ are: to hold the mind towards, pay attention to, apply oneself
to, adhere to, or be given to.
Strong’s definition for ‘doctrine’:
1319 didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee'-ah); from
NT:1320; instruction (the function or the information): KJV -
doctrine, learning, teaching.
2 John 9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and
abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in
the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If
there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him
God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV)
What doctrine or instruction are you
holding your mind towards? Is it from God or man? Did you receive it by the
revelation of Jesus Christ or having it been taught to you by man? Are you
paying attention so that you don’t end up pleasing man instead of God?
Because if you are holding to man-made doctrines (which include its
traditions) and not that which you have received and been taught through
the leading of the Holy Spirit you will end up pleasing man and not God. Remember,
if we yet seek to please man we can’t be the servant of Christ.
Flesh and Spirit are contrary; and they
that are Christ’s are instructed by God through Christ, and strengthened, in
that they are able to crucify the affections and lusts of the flesh which
are contrary to sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine is those things that we
have heard and have been assured of in the Spirit. The doctrine of Christ which
is revealed to us personally by the Spirit in that the eyes of our
understanding is enlightened to the things of God and what He requires of
us to remain in good standing with Him. This sound doctrine enables us to continue
to walk by faith and not by sight; to hold God to be true and every man a
liar; to discern between what is of God and what is of man. It is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good
fruits, it is without partiality and without hypocrisy. It produces the fruit
of righteousness which is sown in peace of them that make peace with God.
We are known by our fruit that is produced
in our manner of life. What are you teaching through your manner of life whether
it be in word or in deed? Is it the doctrine of Christ which has been
revealed to you through the Spirit, or are you instructing others to follow
man’s traditions and doctrines? Who has taught you or is teaching you? Do
you know for sure? If not, it is time that you look to Christ for your
instruction and allow His Spirit to lead and guide you into all truth so
that you know that you are holding your mind toward His doctrine and not
man’s.
Today, abide in the doctrine of Christ
and pay attention to your walk; examine the things which you have heard and
know whether they line up with the word of God; His Spirit bearing witness
with your spirit. Allow Him to instruct you through this life so that you
are able to be a written epistle of the doctrine of Christ. And be ready in
season and out of season to give an answer of the hope that is within you
when asked; let it be the doctrine of Christ that then flows forth from
your mouth. Most importantly, if there come any unto you, and bring not
this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.
1 Timothy 4:16 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. (KJV)
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