A companion question to this: Why is Not Our Own Doctrine Important Enough to Nail Down With Scripture that God gives for our instruction?

I’ll begin by broaching the second question presented here first.

Doctrine within The Church is so different when approaching God’s relationship to man across our history.

Paul likens the Christian life to a race; a race that must be run to win. Somehow it seems we are convinced that we can believe certain of the Scriptures that inform us of what we want to believe, and at the same time ignore those Scriptures that tell us what we do not want to hear or consider. If we could just agree to be civil with one another and discuss the scriptures themselves that lead to differing conclusions could we not then come to unity of truth?

We have formulated our own doctrine in much of the church today, and much of that around an understanding, which was stated to be a Biblical fact, but is, in fact not, when examined: One such foundation for doctrine which really doesn’t exist is that God’s love is unconditional. That concept when analyzed is just not true. Though it is true, that Jesus died unconditionally for all sin: in other words there is no sin that cannot be covered by the Blood of Christ, except for “the one that is not”, and it is the mind that is made up to harden oneself to a final rejection of Christ in one’s life. So, there is one condition to receiving that coverage over our sin. But the Scriptural act of believing involves more. It involves following Jesus. He likens this unto taking up our cross and following Him daily. So, coming to Jesus is not a fire escape from hell, but it is a commitment to a life of learning and following Him. We are called as servants of the gospel. We are called to turn away from the things of the world and to be workers in the building of the kingdom of God. Jesus stated that he who endures to end shall be saved. And though there is nothing that we could ever do on our own to pay for our eternal life with Christ in heaven; still we can turn Him down; turn away from Him and the gift that He offers, turn away from Him, who has bought us. Turning back to the world is not only possible, it produces calamity if not repented of. The testing of our faith is real.

Paul says that we are saved by our faith not by our works so we have nothing to boast about. James says that if we have that faith that saves that we will have accompanying works with which to prove it.

James 1:21 Therefore, ridding [yourselves] of all filthiness and [all] that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. 22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. (NASB2020)

We cannot follow Jesus without turning away from the world that holds us captive from the outset. That is what Following Jesus’s we do in our lives. James tells what repentance is. It’s following Him. It’s doing what His word tells us. Abraham believed God and this faith was accounted to Him as righteousness. James says that his following God’s instruction was the proof of his faith, and that without his following there is no faith. But James is also pointing out our ability to fail. James 3:2 For we all stumble in many [ways.] If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. (NASB2020)

We are not perfect, so we endure our own imperfections and follow Him. Trusting Him for the strength to aid us as we follow. We are trusting Him to correct in us what is wrong.

We look around us and wonder why has God allowed America to come under the control of such weak leadership, and why is corruption and evil so powerful over this nations government and its corporate structure and its education system? There are reasons. Christianity as recent as 60 years ago understood that men needed to be reminded periodically of the commitment they had made to Christ. The meetings then were called revival meetings. Rededication or recommitment was a theme in those meetings. Today most of those we call Christian’s are truly wrapped up in the cares of the world — thinking themselves to be rich and in need of nothing else at all from the Lord. They don’t want to hear those passages within scripture that warn them of the dangers of such thinking.

Jesus had some things to say to us that we all should consider. Some things that should drive us back to Christ.

In the parable of the sower it was the soil that controlled the ability of the seed to sprout and then the ability of the plant to grow and produce the harvest. You are that soil. But unlike the earth you actually have a will and the ability to choose to call out to God’s Son for your deliverance from your self; From your hard heart; From what you have allowed into your hard heart, (your inner man). You can choose to be hard hearted or open and receptive to God and His word. If you are stubborn and rejecting of Gods word, which was given for your instruction then your heart will harden further.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but Pharaoh had lived his life up to that moment with a freedom to choose Israel’s God; with a freedom to release Israel from slavery. Pharaoh grew up with Moses. Up to this point in his life he refused to listen the voice of God. Pharaoh who knew not God was hardened by God…..James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which [the Lord] has promised to those who love Him. (NASB1995)

Jesus told the church of Ephesus: Revelation 2:4 ‘But I have [this] against you, that you have left your first love. (NASB1995)

Joel 2:12 “Yet even now,” the Lord says, “return to me with all your heart–with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your garments!” (NET)

But even God has His limits with His patience for man.

For this is what the high and exalted One Who lives forever, whose name is Holy, says:“ I dwell in a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly And to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would grow faint before Me, And the breath of those whom I have made. Because of the wrongful act of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. Isa.57.15,16,17 NASB

We can try to justify our sin by saying God made me this way, but doing so is only fooling oneself.

What we teach has too often a lasting impact on those who hear us. Jesus said that we learn from God of Him.

John 6:45 “It is written in the Prophets: ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. (NASB2020)

Truly coming to Jesus requires God’s teaching — Doctrine.

When you read Scripture, ask God to teach you, for His truth reveals Jesus the savior, and your walk with Him. Never take for granted so great a salvation. Continue to seek your sustenance from His word. Put on and walk in Him who is able to keep you until that day. You cannot keep yourself from falling.

🙏💕love you guys. Building the kingdom while it is yet day, for the night cometh when no man can work.