Christian Article
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We are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, |
DOCTRINE DEFINED
Doctrine, according to the Greek, simply means "a teaching" or "the thing taught." Every one of us—Christian or not—has received some sort of teaching that we believe and practice so we all are living out some sort of doctrine.
As Christians, we need to examine the doctrine/teaching we are receiving so that we can determine if that doctrine/teaching is sound. Sound doctrine is the teaching of Christ.
SOUND DEFINED
The word sound from the Greek according to Strong's:
WHAT JESUS SAID
While at the Nazareth synagogue (Luke 4:18-19), Jesus read only half of Isaiah 61:1 when He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. Here's what He read [My comments are in brackets]:
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
to preach the gospel
by becoming living Truth]
release to the captives,
sight to the blind,
those who are downtrodden,
[The year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:10-11)—a release of all inhabitants]
[He stopped mid-sentence because this prophecy spoke of His first coming being fulfilled as He read it. How exhilarating it must have been to have been there!]
free us, give us sight, and heal us. Thank You, Lord! |
HOW DO WE IDENTIFY SOUND DOCTRINE?
But how will we know if doctrine is sound (freeing, eye-opening, and healing)?
He will guide you into all the truth.
~John 16:13
(also 1 Cor. 2:12-13)
just as it has taught you,
you abide in Him."
1 John 2:26
By abiding in Christ, His Spirit-in-us bears witness to the truth, to sound doctrine. As we examine the teaching we are hearing, we can ask ourselves, Does this doctrine/teaching I am hearing free people, give people sight, and heal people.... or is this doctrine/teaching related to an issue?
For example, whether or not to celebrate traditional Christmas, we can asked ourselves, "If I don't put up a tree, will I be a part of freeing people, giving people sight, and healing people... or will I be a hindrance to the work of the Spirit in the lives of others, perhaps even my own family, and even my own soul?"
There are so many issues like this in the church. Head covering, style of dress, or speaking in tongues are three that come to mind. These issues divide, do not free, do not give sight, and do not heal. They do not point to Christ but only to man's image—an image that seeks the glory of man. "Look at me. I do this, this, and this..." or "Look at me. I don't do this, this, and this."
HOW DO WE LIVE OUT THE SOUND DOCTRINE OF CHRIST?
When we are abiding, those issues and so many others like those become meaningless to us because the alive "Spirit-of-truth in us" (Who has freed us, given us sight, and healed us) reaches out to others with the good news that Christ frees us, gives us sight, and heals our broken hearts. We can become all things to all men so some may be saved (I Cor. 9:22).
related to Christmas trees, dress, or performance matter
when the Truth of the sound doctrine of Christ is so powerful?
The abiding Christian sees the Spirit at work and marvels in awe, "Look at the work God is doing to set free, to open eyes, and to heal." Oh, how glorious to have His anointing and see His Spirit at work.
Thank You, Lord, that each of us can feed the Spirit-in-us through abiding in that anointing that teaches us Truth, gives us liberty and eyes to see You at work, and heals others as well as ourselves.
Cleanse us moment by moment to be vessels of the outpouring of Your Spirit of love and life.
Sound doctrine feeds the Spirit-in-us Who grows and provides an increase in us individually—
He must increase; I must decrease (John 3:30).
As He increases in each of us individually, the Body of Christ will also increase in truth, power, liberty, sight, and healing...not because we are focusing on issues.
As I have researched sound doctrine, the Spirit-in-me has given me new insight into the destructiveness of issues and the power of the Truth of sound doctrine that frees, gives sight, and heals.
When the sound doctrine of Christ frees those inhabitants of it—those abiding in Christ—it is like a year of jubilee because
released to love—
both to receive His love and then to minister His love to others.
as we abide and grow up as a healthy Body
with You as our Head
and watch in awe as You anoint each of us with the Truth of Your
doctrine of liberty, sight, and healing.
Thank you for individual growth
and the increase of a healthy Body of believers.
To You, Lord Jesus, be the glory!
has both the Father and the Son.
~2 John 9
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