Whenever the enemy seeks to discourage me, MY God is right on time. I didn't write this but when I came across it just now, I felt unity with a TRUE brother.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTRINE!
With a zeal to cast away everything which the Roman Catholic Church holds, many have suggested that true Christians should have nothing to do with Doctrines and Creeds as well, seeing that the Harlot Church holds to such.
In fact some Christians when asked WHAT their doctrine is, count it a mark of humility and maturity to say � �It is just Jesus Christ�!
Beloved, it does not help to say that one�s creed is just �Jesus Christ�. For there are MANY Christ�s! We have the Romish Christ, the Mormon Christ, and every other cult which defends its authority by Scripture claims to believe in �Jesus Christ�.
So it behooves us to define the Christ we believe in by sound doctrine! This is why every Church worth its name has what they call their �Statement of Faith�!
Our LORD was concerned much about DOCTRINE and directly asked those who claimed to believe in God how THEY understood the Scriptures. �He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest THOU�? [Luke 10:26]. In other words, �How do YOU interpret it�?! He not only taught the right doctrine but fought against false doctrine and was ultimately hounded to death for His doctrine! �And they sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people were ASTONISHED AT HIS DOCTRINE�. [Mark 11:18]
The early disciples not only centered their lives around THE RIGHT DOCTRINE but admonished the church not to entertain those who DIFFERED DOCTRINALLY. �And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers�. �If there come any unto you, and bring not THIS DOCTRINE, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed� [Act 2:42; 2Jn 1:10]
Much more could be said on the importance of creeds and doctrines. But suffice it to say, it is not enough to say that your creed is JUST �Jesus Christ�!
There are those who complain, �Oh but doctrine DIVIDES�! Oh yes it does! IT DIVIDES BETWEEN THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS, AND THOSE WHO ARE ELECT AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT!
Is the Jesus I believe in the third person of the Godhead?! Is He very God of very God and one substance with the Father!? Is He the Absolute Sovereign who hath mercy on whom He will and hardens whom He will!? Is he the frustrated saviour who desires the salvation of all men hoping that they will choose him of their own �free will� or is He the Omnipotent Lord who makes His people willing in the Day of His power!?
The right answer to just the above questions will eliminate and expose the myriads of false Churches that pervade the land!
The Apostle warned of �false brethren� which would creep into assemblies [Gal 2:4,5]. How does one recognize them? For these are not outright wolves that can be easily spotted, but Goats who have learned to bleat like sheep.
They are strangers to God�s Sovereign Grace! Oh they speak of �grace� all right! But grace according to THEM is the REWARD God gives to all those who have EXERCISED THEIR �FREE-WILL� TO �ACCEPT HIM�! If they COULD they would go back and change John 6:44 to read �No man can come to Me, except they exercise their own free-will and choose Me�! And while they are at it they would also rewrite Romans 9:16 to read �IT IS of him that willeth, and of him that runneth, NOT OF GOD that showeth mercy�!
According to THEIR theology (theology if you could call it) a goat can become a sheep anywhere, anytime they choose, by exercising their �free-will� and a sheep can change back into a goat any day anytime by that same �free-will�! The sheep according to them are not KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD, as the Apostle affirms [1Pet 1:5], but by their own whimsical free will, determination and resolution!
They have a great disdain and abhorrence for the milk of the Word, not to mention strong meat. They are afraid of the very word �DOCTRINE�. To them anything rich in the Word and doctrine is a �lecture� at best or a �Churchy sounding statement� at worst. They have been raised on short little stories and sermonettes all their lives, so anything which makes them think or search the Scriptures is too much for their unregenerated carnal minds!
So whether you are a newly born again child of God looking for a Church to join, or an Elder (Pastor) considering admitting someone into the Church or opening the pulpit to them � don�t just give them your right hand of fellowship just because they say they believe in Jesus. Ask them to DEFINE the Jesus they believe in. If they say they are new to the faith and would love to learn the right doctrine then teach them with love and patience, but if they are already established in damnable heresies, then after the first and second admonition REJECT THEM! [Titus 3:10,11]
This is Scriptural!
Even when deciding to marry someone you might be in love with, it is of great importance to find out where your �spouse to be� stands theologically. Don�t ever be deceived into thinking that you can win them over to the truth AFTER marriage! It rarely ever happens!
For two CANNOT walk together except they be agreed! And a believer hath no part with an unbeliever or an infidel! [2Cor 6:15]
The Bible in itself is NOT a work on Systematic Theology, but only the QUARRY out of which the stone for such a temple can be obtained. If you preached the �WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD� AS IT IS IN JESUS CHRIST, you will find to your dismay that MANY who say they �love Jesus� or believe in the Bible will be AGAINST YOU! I speak this from sad experience!
This is the dangerous error the Ecumenical movement! Those who adhere to the mindset of THIS movement say � �Doctrine does not matter. All that matters is that �you love Jesus� and just believe the �Bible�! A lie from the pit of Hell!
SALVATION IS 100% FREE BUT HEAVENLY REWARDS ARE 100% EARNED:
Hebrews 11:1,6: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see....And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He **REWARDS those who earnestly seek Him!!
Ephesians 6:8: Serve wholeheartedly , as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will **REWARD everyone for what ever good he does!.Revelation 22:12 Jesus says, �Behold I am coming soon! My **REWARD is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done!�
Matthew 16:27: Jesus says, �The Son of Man is going to come in His Father's glory with His angels and THEN He will **REWARD each person according to what he has done!�
2 Corinthians 5:9,10: We make it our goal to please Him... for we must all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives , he will receive his **REWARD. If it is burned up he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
Colossians 3:23-25: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, siince you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a **REWARD. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Win Heavenly CROWNS:
I Corinthians 9:24-27: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes in to strict training. They do it to get a **CROWN that will not last; but we do it to get a **CROWN THAT WILL LAST FOREVER! Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize!
2 John 1:8: Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be **REWARDED fully!. Revelation 3:11: Jesus says, �I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your **CROWN!�
2 Timothy 4:7,8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the **CROWN of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,will award to me on that day�and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing!
The **CROWN of Life for those who persevere under trials and persecution:
James 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the **CROWN OF LIFE that God has promised to those who love Him!
Revelation 2:10 Jesus says, �Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer... Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the **CROWN OF LIFE!�
Matthew 5:11,12: Jesus says, �Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, beacuase great is your **REWARD in heaven!�
Hebrews 10:32-36: Remember those earlier days after you had received the Light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of sufferin. Sometimes you were publicaly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly **REWARDED. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you receive what He has promised!
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
Colossians 3
5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Ephesians 4:1-3
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:14
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
