Doctrine

John 6:29 NKJV 
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

Doctrine to me is another word for rules or law. Each church has them. And many attendees do not even know what they are. The do's and don'ts to be considered a faithful member.

And yet God's word tells us that the only work is to believe in He who the Father sent. Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17) and in this age, under this new covenant, we are under God's grace. (Romans 6:14)

Each of us is different even though we are the same. The same because we are born again believers, Christ abides in us. (1 John 4:13) Different because no two of us are alike. Even twins are different.

How we minister depends not on a technique we learn from others experiences. Rather it depends on listening to Holy Spirit and finishing the work of the Father. (John 4:34)

We each have things in us that need to be removed. But the order of removal and even the time of recognition varies. For one it might be an addiction to alcohol. Others might have a lustful spirit. Or maybe overeaters. Some use foul language.

But even with all those demons involved, God will still use us to finish what He has begun. You see, it is not about this dead man. It is about who is alive in us. Holy Spirit will come upon us to minister to God's children.

If we had to wait for all our issues to be resolved first, no one would ever minister. There was only one perfect man and He is in us. As we die to self and allow Him to work through us miracles can happen. Words of wisdom will come forth. Prophecy will pour out. Healing will happen.

So it does not matter how long we have been saved. It does not matter if we have received our prayer language. It does not matter if we have not figured out yet that we have to leave some long-time friends behind for a while. No. What matters is that we listen to Holy Spirit and allow Him to come upon us to minister to His people. To practice His presence and see what He will do through us.

We must be careful not to use our experiences in God to create a doctrine for others to live by. Just because God did it that way using us does not mean it will work for anyone else.

Holy Spirit teaches us all things. (John 14:26) Maybe it is time we listen to Him instead of ingesting all we can from others. Reading about the experiences of others does not help transform our mind to the mind of Christ. Change occurs as we listen to Holy Spirit and look to the word of God to reveal truth to us.

"Father God help me to hear your voice. Open my mind to the truth in your word. Open my heart to be more like You. Renew my mind. Transform me. In Jesus name, I pray."