BEYOND DOCTRINE: Moving From Letter to Life
Author: Tolu Cole Category: Beyond Series Publisher: Image 126 Pages: 89 Language: English File Size: 827kbJESUS IS BEYOND DOCTRINE
Many of us think of all kinds of things and experiences when we hear the word doctrine, but before you go there, here is what I mean by doctrine. I mean the fundamentals; the a, b, c of the knowledge of God and the realm of the Spirit. Every development must begin with the a, b, c. The Bible talks about “the elementary doctrines of Christ”, and how that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine”. This fundamental is what Peter called “the pure milk of the word”. This is what Paul was referring to when he said to some: “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:2). The solid food of the Word can only be discerned spiritually, not carnally (1 Corinthians 2:14). These spiritual understandings are many times imparted, not only instructed. They are wisdoms of the heart, skilfully woven in righteousness.
They are revelations and lights. They enable us to be more effective in the service of God and the establishment of His kingdom and glory here on earth, and deeply in the souls of men. But before we learn to live in accurate spiritual discernment of hearing God accurately and witnessing Him accurately, we would be trained by doctrine. Because of this, a large part of the professing Church stays too long in doctrine and teaching, while refusing to flow in the prophetic witness of the Holy Spirit coming to them through those teachings.
The reason for doctrine is to enable us to be led by the Holy Spirit, and not false spirits, so that we can follow and glorify Jesus Christ, not another Jesus. It’s all about simple devotion to Jesus. The faith is not a formula, nor is it first a system, but an outflow of a life that’s United with Jesus Christ in eternal fellowship. When we focus on doctrine beyond the person of Jesus, we arrive at dead religion. But when we allow the right doctrine from the right Scripture, the Bible, to lead us to Jesus through faith, inspired by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, then, we have real communion with Jesus and God, and we are living beyond doctrine. By living beyond doctrine, I don’t mean living outside doctrine, but I mean living the reality of which the doctrine speaks. The doctrine is a teaching about the realm of the Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit Himself who now brings us into, and helps us walk in those realities.
My prayer for you is that everything you’ve ever learnt in the mind, becomes real to you today, that the eye of your heart is flooded with revelation, in order to possess Jesus, and put Him on, in our inner man. May we receive light concerning Jesus, His presence, His name, His Word, His power, His body, and His kingdom in Jesus’ name.
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