Should we focus on Jesus, not doctrine.

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   Greg Seredaposted 10 years ago

   Should we focus on Jesus, not doctrine.
   
   I've been hearing from more and more Christians of all denominations that we should focus on Jesus and not doctrine. Do you agree with this idea? Why or why not?
   
   

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   aCHANCELifeLORposted 10 years ago

   "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. That the man of God may be throughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim. 3:16.  This scripture lets us know the profitbility of doctrine in the life of a Christian, what it produces and why it is necessary!  You can't have one without the other.  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE!
   
   St. John 1:1: " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... St. John 1:14: " And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth".   Jesus is the Scriptures/ the bibilical Doctrine! The very essence of God's thoughts and ways, written in a book, to throughly prepare us for good works!

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      Greg Seredaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer!

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      MarleneBposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Even I would not be able to express my answer better than aCHANCELifeLOR who summed it all up quite well.

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   Caleb DRCposted 10 years ago

   What a great question, Greg.
   
   I think aCHANCElifeLOR  said it about as well as it can be said. It is not possible to focus on Jesus Christ without Scripture. Well, golly, since aCHANCElifeLOR stole my thunder, I'll just wander off, inconspicuously, into the sunset.

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      Greg Seredaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that it's practically impossible to seperate Jesus from the doctrines of His Word. You can't have one without the other.

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   DaceyDposted 10 years ago

   Scripture is without doubt important, but so is the spirit behind scripture, and I think that is what some people mean by focusing on Jesus.  It is important to be able to think for yourself and know what Jesus and the scriptures mean to you. How much people want to know about their religion is up to them.  If they feel just focusing on Jesus is good enough for them then it is. Knowledge is necessary to enrich and empower, with knowledge you can be a better person, a better Christian with a greater understanding of your faith and beliefs. Part of the reason Christianity broke from Catholicism is because Martin Luther believed people should be able to read the scripture for themselves and not rely on a potentially corrupt Bishop or Priest for interpretation of what the scripture said, and by extension what they should believe. Scriptures is God's written word, but people can and do skew them to their own ends, which is why Christianity came to be. So read and interpret them for yourself, find the balance between the spirit and the word of the scripture and don't get lost in the exact wording. I think that is what it means to focus on Jesus and not doctrine, to interpret and find the spirit behind the scripture and not see just the words.  There is doctrine that is no longer relevant to today, that people no longer follow.

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      manatita44posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good on ya, darcy D.

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   Agnes Pennposted 10 years ago

   Shall we focus on a mother's face or on what she builds with her life?  Jesus' life is doctrine.  He sent His Holy Spirit over men to continue His work and they have passed on their witness generation after generation on how best to relate with God and each other.  The same as a mother inculcates good manners to a child, not to look good in public, but to better relate with others - and she teaches with her life as with her words - so did Jesus teach us doctrine.  This is why He says that He comes, not to change the law, but to fulfill it.  He is the epitome of how we should relate with God.  A mother would call this life lessons.  The Church calls it doctrine.  Both are based on love.

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      Greg Seredaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Very well said!

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   manatita44posted 10 years ago

   They are inseparable. Faith or doctrine will take you to a relationship with Jesus. However, once there, do not make the mistake like so many others in believing that you are saved. He will ask you to love God; to do the works of His Father which is in Heaven; to feed His sheep; to pray; to be a good Samaritan, etc. All this would be necessary until your dying day, and it is indeed doctrine.
   
   Still, I would agree that there is a lot in scripture which should simply be passed over. They lead us into contention not contrition. Love of God, prayer and service will eventually teach us all we need to know.

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      Greg Seredaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What do you mean by "scripture which should simply be passed over"? Can you give an example or two?

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      manatita44posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      No, my sweet brother Greg.
      It is not my way. But I can explain it differently. The way of the Heart is childlike, pure, spontaneous, innocent and sweet. The Mind analyses, separates and chop things up. I feel infinitely more for the way of the Heart.

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   SwordofManticorEposted 10 years ago

   I tend to believe I should focus in my faith in my divine Father. I am grateful for what Christ did, but He never put Himself above us. He made Himself equal to us and He focused on our Father.

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      Greg Seredaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I see. So do you believe that Jesus was not God, the Son?

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      SwordofManticorEposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I worship the same Father the Son worships.

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      aCHANCELifeLORposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes. Jesus made himself of no reputation, was a servant and humble himself, to the death of the Cross. Then,  the FATHER "... hath highly Exalted him. That every knee should bow and tongue confess that Jesus is LORD, TO THE GLORY of the FATHER!

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      SwordofManticorEposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      And that day will come

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   Marcus99posted 10 years ago

   This guy, Jesus, said a lot of good stuff. How about focusing on that instead of the person who said it or, worse yet, build a religion around what he said.

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      Greg Seredaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Lol. That's like just the opposition of what's becoming the popular thing to do.

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      aCHANCELifeLORposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      This good stuff, the Sod of God, Jesus, said, was not His own words but, the Fathers'. "He that loveth me not keepth not my sayings: AND THE WORD WHICH YE HEAR IS NOT MINE, but the  FATHER'S  which sent me". St. John 14:24.

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   TerryK81posted 10 years ago

   Yes, focus on Jesus. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Every word in the bible came by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We do not obey doctrine....we obey Jesus. People twist things that Jesus spoke, to suit their ministry.

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    celafoeposted 10 years ago

    hoe can they be separated if you are a real Christian

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    brent7750posted 10 years ago

    I have a balanced approach on both. Jesus' words and his teachings, for the two go hand in hand. He is and was an example for all to see as we can also be as "Sons of God", to teach, Love, share and be an example of Love like Jesus is. The doctrine is a tool that can be used to help guide us in our quests in life and Jesus was the one who lived those doctrines, a living book if you will. Make your choices, make mistakes, learn from them and continue to grow just like Jesus. Here is an awesome link that shares the Love that Jesus has for us as well as provides a foundation that is stable and true: thetruejesus.org/realname.html

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