Jesus, My Doctrine 2 (9/28-30)

28-30 Sept 2014 - Jesus, My Doctrine 2 – Manna by Dorothy Callies

John 7:16-17 KJV, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his (Father) that sent Me. If any man will do His (Father’s) will, he (you) shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.”

What was Jesus trying to tell us about His doctrine? Reading from NCV John 7:14b-17 “… Jesus went to the Temple and began to teach. 15 The Jews were amazed and said, ‘This man never studied in school. How did He learn so much?’ 16 Jesus answered, “The things I teach are not My own, but they come from Him (Father) who sent Me. 17 If people choose to do what God wants, they will know that My teaching comes from God and not from Me.”

So who taught Jesus? God, His Father and the Holy Spirit taught Him what to say at that moment when Jesus needs guidance to teach. Then why was Jesus’ doctrine, His teaching so important? There are several answers to this question, but first answer came to my thought. “Because He is the way, the truth and the life. No man can come to the Father, but through Jesus” (John 14:6).  

 ‘If any man will do His will’ means a true saving faith and an experience knowledge of His teachings will require a sincere desire to do the will of God. To believe Him is to obey His teachings. Another answer to the question, why was Jesus’ doctrine so important? It was because of the false religious teachers during Jesus’ time. False teachers tried to change God’s Word to their own views and opinions. That was not acceptable with God.                                               

John, the Beloved disciple wrote a letter in 2 John to reject the false teachers who do not follow Christ’s doctrine. “Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s teaching and does not continue to follow only His teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9 NCV).

KJV quote, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He (you) that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he (you) hath both the Father and the Son.” To transgresseth means to keep going astray from. To abideth means to keep on living in and bear patiently with the teachings of Christ.

Those who do not practice in the doctrine or teachings of Christ are not acceptable with God. John, the Beloved quoted, “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not…” (2 John 1:10). Why? Because the false teachers are destroying the eternal souls by casting aside God’s truth.

Doesn’t this burden your hearts to pray for people to open their hearts to understand what God’s will is? If any man will do the Father’s will, we would know Christ’s doctrine. Our heavenly Father wants us to have fellowship with Christ and to know His teachings. Study God’s Word leads to eternal life. Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6).

Prayer: Lord, help us to stay true to Your doctrine and to Your teachings so that we may lead others to You and receive eternal life. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to help us discern the false teachers and to watch out for them. Help us to stay true to You.  In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!