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Thursday, April
10, 2008
Mature Doctrine
Ephesians 4:13-16 Till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love,
may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16)
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of
every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in
love. (KJV)
The whole purpose of those that have been
called to the fivefold ministry is to get the people off the milk of the
word of God and into sound doctrine, teaching them who they are in Christ.
Those that truly know the Lord and how He operates will be pointing the
people to Christ and the work He has begun within the inner man, and will
not be looking to the outer realm to find peace. Children are gullible and
so are immature Christians, because you can tell them a story or in many
places a doctrine that sounds good but is not based on truth. Another thing
you will notice about worldly doctrines of man is that like the wind they
change and alter their stance with the times, thus keeping the congregation
stagnant, lost at sea if you would. Those that understand the doctrine of
Christ are able to grow up in Him and mature, edifying themselves as well
as other members, finding their place within the body and working to build
each other up.
John 7:16-18 Jesus answered them, and said,
My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (17) If any man will do his
will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself. (18) He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:
but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no
unrighteousness is in him. (KJV)
When we were children our only concern
was for ourselves and thus we needed round the clock supervision to keep us
from self destructing. Many of mans doctrines and those that teach them
like to keep their congregations dependant on them; constantly reminding
people of all the good works they are doing for the Lord and not the other
way around. In fact of all the nerve, some actually put their own names on
the ministry which tells you the true intents of the heart, having men’s
persons in admiration, pointing the people more towards man than that of
the Spirit. The true doctrine of Christ will be pointing the people to God
through His Son and not through some man who claims he represents God
because of a large worldly institution he has created or thinks he built on
behalf of God.
Ephesians 4:17-21 This I say therefore,
and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) Having the understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart: (19) Who being past feeling have
given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
(20) But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard
him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (KJV)
The carnal mind is enmity with God; it is
not able to accept the things of God let alone walk in them. Many today are
legends in their own mind, having the mindset that they are pleasing God
based on works that they are doing and not what the Lord would like to be
doing on their behalf. Like verse 20 points out, that they have not so
learned Christ, the doctrine that points the people to the inward man; that
same inward man that operated in Jesus of Nazareth is alive and well,
willing to work in you also if you let Him. Today many still look to the
outward Jesus and try to imitate Him; even some of the rituals He partook
of, which by the way our Lord was still under the old law and came to
fulfill it, and they miss the spiritual implications and meanings of the
things He did. Many today still have a mindset of a man that walked this
earth, but are not looking to the man within Him the Son of God that was
able to give life and strengthen him spiritually. Many today still pray and
teach about the name of Jesus and the power of it, and totally ignore
Christ, thus why Paul makes the statement that you have not so learned
Christ or His doctrine.
Romans 1:20-23 For the invisible things
of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by
the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they
are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their
imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the
uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds,
and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (KJV)
Mankind is without a plausible excuse.
God poured out His Spirit upon all flesh and made His realm readily
available to all mankind; the whosoever’s that would call upon His name.
The problem is that mankind and his vain fallen nature get in the way and
distort the meaning and the truth of God, and change it to fit his realm
and way of thinking, even to the point of putting man in place of God.
Today many still claim Jesus himself was God, the God man if you would,
thus trying again to make God in mans image instead of the other way around
which is what the original intention was. They are trying to change a
spiritual being, God, to fit in our realm rather than teaching the people
the doctrine of Christ and how we fit into God’s realm, which is the
Spiritual realm that He operates in. It’s because they haven’t learned who
Christ is; this is why they keep looking to the outward for the answer rather
than the inward, thus distorting and changing the true meaning of God’s
plan of salvation; they in essence end up worshipping and serving created
beings more than the Creator, not giving credit where the credit truly is
due.
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off
concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according
to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
(24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness. (KJV)
There is new man alive and well and ready
to be revealed within you, the truth that sets one free and allows them to
be partakers of God’s inheritance, the spiritual blessings that He is
pleased to give to His people. This new man is Christ in you the only hope
of glory; a spiritual being that is renewing us into a realm of endless
riches of wisdom and knowledge which is only found in Christ and His
doctrine which is according to godliness. So stay out of the old; quit
looking to the outward but rather look to the inward man and his needs to
find the true love, joy, and peace that is only found in God and those that
truly know His doctrine. Learn who Jesus Christ truly is and who you are
also; a person that chooses to be led by the Spirit and not by the sleight
of men which point people to mans work and not to the eternal work God has
begun and wishes to continue to do within you.
Jude 1:16-19 These are murmurers,
complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great
swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
(17) But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the
apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (18) How that they told you there should
be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
(19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
(KJV)
Our old nature is corrupt; the spirit is
willing it’s our flesh that is weak and falls prey to its deceitful lusts
which never satisfy. Many today have mankind and its preachers lifted up on
pedestals and in lofty positions that keep the focus on them and not
Christ. The doctrine of Christ will point you to the Father through His
Son, keeping the focus on the inner man and not the outward fallen one.
Where are you looking today, what realm are seeking your answer from? If it
is the doctrine of Christ then all things will be new and you will find
yourself maturing and growing up in the things of God and weaning yourself
from the things of this realm. God’s best and blessings to all.
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