How to Test Doctrines - 8: Does it strengthen spiritual unity or cause sinful seclusion? (The 7th test in the checklist of seven tests which we need to apply on any teaching or ministry before we embrace it) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3) He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of )the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (Eph 4: 11-14) The purpose of all ministries in the Church is to help saints maintain the unity of the Spirit until they attain the unity of the faith and grow to the stature of the fullness of Christ. Only then we are free from deception. Jesus prayed, I do not pray for them alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one (Jn 17:20,21). Divisions are usually around personalities. Of Paul... of Apollos... of Cephas! Then there will be a fourth group— of Christ. Interdenominational?! God nominated the Church after Christ and man has denominated it! Denominationalism is sin. There are preachers who out rightly condemn denominationalism but ultimately condescend to form their own denomination with the dissidents and defectors of other denominations! The process goes on and on! Divisions are also caused by certain doctrinal emphases. Certain portions of the whole truth or counsel of God are emphasized at the cost of the other aspects of the truth. We need to understand that INTENT (of our heart) is prior to the CONTENT (truth). If our intent of approaching the truth is not in line with the intent of God, the content of the truth is of no use. To give truth to him who loves it not is but to only give him more reasons and more content for misinterpretation and distortion. Extremism leads to eccentricity(deviating from the recognized or customary character, practice, etc) and that to sectarianism. The balance is lost.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 07:36:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015