GROWTH IN THE FOUNDATIONS OF CHRIST discussion 5 :

Greetings in the name of Jesus:



  As we began these discussions the thoughts naturally will turn toward the WHY of what has separated us from one another all this time.  Anyone who has followed my blogs for any length of time knows that I am a purest when it comes to the bible teachings that I follow.  Unless I can trace them back directly to the teachings off Christ I will find them somewhat skeptical.  That is especially true when it comes to the adaptation of doctrines into worship and the practice of our witness in Christ.

  For me when it becomes necessary to jump and skip through many letters from Paul to the various problems of the early churches to find a doctrine that supports a personal like or belief it makes me pause.  The reason is in many cases each of these conversations are under different and various context which would change ever so slightly the  reason for either the action taken or the directive that was written to the church.  This is particularly true when it comes to the workings and the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in the church.  We don't ever have to deny those workings or the situations  that are spoken of, but in each case these things were designed to give glory to God and not power to us.

  I have found in most cases the different doctrines that have been developed by churches are designed to give power and authority to the leadership and denomination of the church doctrine that has been created, and not so much  to the glory of God.  It becomes more of a debate over who among us is right than an effort to adhere to the teachings of Christ directly, and that is what bothers me

  Our efforts should be very narrow indeed when it comes to creating new dynamics and ways of presenting the Gospel to this world, because in the mind and heart of men and women who are really of this world every opportunity to twist or in some way cause confusion or misdirection if our faith will be taken.  The only real solution we have in correcting this situation is to refrain from following any doctrine that cannot be traced directly to Christ's teachings.  For me all else becomes shaky ground that can be subjected to misinterpretation.  Everything that we need in forming personal doctrine in Christ can be found in the Sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:-8:  These things touch on everything that is in God's heart for us.  Does not connect us to a power that other men do not possess or to gifts that can be learn ed or prayed for which are not a part of giving glory or drawing others attention to hearing God's word through the power of the Holy Spirit.  We can pray for God to make us great among men in our faith, but we must first become servants to the power of God's Spirit before we can be used in any form of greatness. We are created to be vessels only of God's power to this world just as Jesus taught us.  Any other goals we may have become self desires and a way to make us important in some way.  That is not the goal of the gifts of the Spirit and it is not something to be used at our command, but only through the desires of God's Spirit within us; anything else becomes false doctrine and dangerous for us to follow.  It is my prayer that you will be very cautious in what you follow in your heart.  May you richly bless God through your life in Him.



THE UNWORTHY SERVANT