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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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