It always worries me when I see a church that is non-denominational. In essences what they are saying is no doctrine. There is a belief that doctrine divides or alienates someone. It is a shame that they think so little of God's sovereignty and His message. I pray we don't avoid but proclaim His glory. That are message is never ours but His. May He reveal whether it be of God and strip away any flesh and press in our hearts that which is sound doctrine.
Jhn 7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught.
Jhn 7:15 And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?
Jhn 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me.
Jhn 7:17 If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
Jhn 7:18 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.
Jhn 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
- Why is doctrine singular and not plural?
- How can you determine sound doctrine?
These words, though they may fall short at times, are not intended to teach but rather to signally glorify God. These inferior words I add are not to educate you on my beliefs but to proclaim His doctrine. To praise Christ alone and Him crucified. But how do you know if anything I or anyone else writes or says in sound doctrine. First search the scriptures. Never believe without searching for yourself (I Tim 4:16; Tit 1:9). Next knowledge is by His will. It is He who shows favor, reveals the mysteries, and gives any wisdom (Rom 6:17). And third the subject is Christ alone and it is He alone that is glorified (John 7:18). Looking at this, sound doctrine is based on scripture alone, grace alone, and Christ alone. False doctrine is anything that is contrary to those revelations and should be avoided (Rom 16:7-18; I Tim 1:3-4; II John :10). Those shall be the doctrines of demons, seducing men and speaking lies (I Tim 4:1-2). Those doctrines aren’t proven by scripture, add what we should do, destroys grace, brings God to our level, and places man under law. I pray humbly that God restrains us from bringing in the flesh, or non-biblical motivational messages into this word but our speech may be focused on His gift and scarf ice (I Cor 1:29-31).
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." (I Tim 4:15)
