30/09/2021 - ONE MUST KNOW THE DOCTRINE

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If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. John 7.17

Although He created us out of nothing, God didn’t make us as puppets with no will of our own, but gave us free will, which works even in the ministry call that some receive from Him. Jesus’ words in the verse studied prove that we aren’t obliged to do the most beautiful thing that could have happened to us: receive the task of helping our neighbor to know His Creator and take part in His grace!

Many people are numbed by the statements of the unsaved who make ministry a job, saying that they need to provide for their families. Now, there are several secular activities from which they could provide material bread for their families, without hindering the closeness that man feels he has towards God. These people haven’t read Jeremiah’s dire warning: Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord deceitfully and cursed is he who keeps back his sword from blood (Jeremiah 48.10).

Whoever wants to fulfill the divine purpose should place no limits on it´s pursuit, other than those imposed on us. The conflict between what the world says is lawful and what God informs is not good for us – serves as a brake, lest we fall for the lies of the evil one. Eve disregarded the Word by indulging in the “lawful” things, such as checking whether the fruit was bad or not. In the end, she found it good, pleasant and desirable. That´s why the devil came in here!

Jesus taught us to pray, showing that we have to ask not to fall into temptations (Matthew 6.13), but most don’t do this, or never did. Now, we must believe that we will receive everything we cry out to the Father and keep it, lest it be taken away (Revelations 3.11). Why provoke God to wrath, using the pulpit to bring strange fire, if it causes death (Numbers 26.61)? Could it be that the wise men of the world have something to give us – to be quoted from the pulpit? Mercy!

Everything that contradicts the Bible hinders the consecration of those who wish to know the Most High. No deception should be mentioned as something right or salutary. Even if the philosopher Nietsche spoke something “good” – his remarks serve as snares for the unwary. It was he who spoke about the death of God and then killed himself. Strange fire will cause the death of whoever brings it and whoever receives it. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14.6)!

To know whether a doctrine is from God or not – is an obligation that weighs upon the servants of the Almighty, for it will never sway them to evil. By the way, it discourses on all subjects. But in one careless conversation, one’s mind can be changed to evil. Jesus said: Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Matthew 18.7). Be careful!

Not even Christ spoke of Himself. He was content to hear from the Father and tell us everything the Father had told Him. This example must be followed by every Christian who doesn’t want to lose his salvation, nor be responsible for someone else’s damnation: For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure (John 3.34). Pray!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares