Weightier Matters: Is Our Doctrine More Important Than People?
What Are The Weightier Matters Of Our Faith, Pilgrim?
How important is doctrinal purity? Many Christians would say that it is almost the most important thing of all. Some assert, “how can we walk with God if we do not accurately know what He wants us to do?” After all, we must earnestly contend for the faith like Timothy, shouldn’t we?
Many believers will not fellowship with other believers because of doctrinal differences. Their beliefs are so important to them that it actually creates division in the body of Christ.
Let us not do evil that good may come of it
Religious people sometimes say “well, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.” Likewise, some might assert that you can’t live for God without having correct doctrine and if that brings division it is just the price we pay for believing in the truth.
However, is that really the case? Is it really true that our doctrinal purity is what is most important to God? Is it possible that we focus on the minor while ignoring the weightier matters of our faith?
Purity of heart
I believe what may be more important is the purity of our hearts and actions rather than our theology. If the working out of our theology ends up doing harm, perhaps we need to change our way of thinking. If we blindly follow what we believe even though it prevents us from acting like Christ, maybe we are ignoring the weightier areas of our religion.
Jesus says,
“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.”
Luke 10:30-35
Then Jesus said,
“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”
Luke 10:36-37
It is what we do that matters, not just what we believe
In this parable, we learn that it is not who believes right but who does right that matters.
Jesus said,
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Matthew 23:23
I ask you, “why are people so concerned with doctrinal purity when most do not live up to a fraction of what they believe?” It is like an alcoholic being very careful to only drink the purest bottled water he can find.
It’s the weightier matters that truly matter
Is not being like Christ more important than having perfect doctrine? Are not Christians known by what they do? Is it not our actions showing forth judgment, mercy, and faith that define us? Is not one good Samaritan who cares for the wounded better than two doctrinally correct people who don’t?
I have met and been ministered to by all different types of Christians from many different faiths. The common thread they all share is that they showed love and compassion to me. The other trait they had in common is that they were Spirit led.
Don’t let your doctrine prevent you from being a decent human being
In conclusion, it is good to believe the scriptures to the best of our ability, but let us not allow our beliefs to prevent us from being decent human beings and loving one another as Christ loved us.
Over the many years I have watched Christians, both in the world and online, there has hardly ever been any agreement on even ‘core doctrines’, and what they should be.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest enemies of God’s work, are those within Christianity. They can’t agree on much and they argue like schoolchildren. They do not lead by example because to many, it is do as I say and not as I do. Regrettably, all to often Christians do not often demonstrate that God is in them. In fact, sometimes they are the ones who cause the biggest wounds to God’s children.
I am not saying these things to condemn, it is just how it is, what I have witnessed. I just cant help but think if this is what Christendom looks like from within, imagine what it looks like to the rest of the world who are not yet Christians.
A lot of doctrines which are so fiercely defended, are more often than not completely man made. There is no scriptural requirement for such doctrines, the trinity being one of them. Scripture states…
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
So regarding the trinity…
Scripture doesn’t state it as a requirement, so why is it a requirement in doctrine?
This is just an example for illustration. It is always best to discuss with the mind set of building one another up. God is our master, if people follow Him, who am I to say they are not a Christian?
If your heart faith is in Jesus, then it stands to reason He will lead you into Truth, because you are being fed by Him, taking from the Tree of Life.
I am a spirit led Christian and not a doctrine led one. However, I do recognize that doctrine has managed to creep in and then its simply a matter of once I recognize this to seek God in uprooting it. It is important it is uprooted otherwise it is likely will skew other aspects of your faith.
Was speaking today about the Book of Revelation.
People’s approach to this book is often in a study way, a theological approach. For me, I feel it should be looked at from the perspective of seeking revelation from God what His revelation meant.
Really, people do just what John did in this book in the Body of Christ today… working within the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. We should have 2000+ years of writings as the Body to read through to help build it.
However, man has chosen to put up walls and barriers to God’s very real, walking talking relationship with Him, just as Jesus walked with our Father. Look at His relationship with God. Jesus showed you what having relationship was and how to be co-heirs of the kingdom of God. Simply put, doctrines are barriers and walls, they are divisive in nature. Insisting on the Bible alone, is in effect denying God speaks to His people today.
People speak of the kingdom ‘to come’, when the kingdom is upon you and you have moved into eternal life, you can have that real experience with God now. He has, does, can and will give you current revelation. This is what the Body needs. Revelation 21, is about the new heaven and earth, it also to me interprets as a current event when you spend that one day in His court.
By all means talk through what you think God is saying about this particular book of revelations, but don’t think for one minute that God has ceased giving revelations to His people.
Do not keep adding to the masses of rejects of our Christian society, by rejecting those you disagree with. The church, instead of helping the very people Jesus came for, have ingrained even more the spirit of rejection in them. There is no difference to what the Pharisees did in doing this.
I have had discussions with a Pastor who insisted that they had to wear suits to be servants of the Lord. I am more bothered about the ‘heart attitude’ of someone who is doing ministry than their outward appearance personally. You can be booted and suited and yet your heart be wrong with your ministry.
As ministry is dealing in the business of someone’s personal relationship with God, temporal things like… what kind of clothes you wear, dimmer off somewhat into insignificance. What kind of doctrine is this?
So basically what I am saying is, if a vagrant was to speak the Word of God to me, in a Rhema kind of way and someone in a suit condemns me with their mouth… which is better and which is going to help?… the heart priority of the vagrant speaks louder!
God can use anything, anyone, anyhow, anytime and anywhere. There is no room for doctrine in this whatsoever.
Jesus lowered Himself to be heavenly good for Earth and all of mankind. He became and went to all, those rejects of society/church/work, He descended before He ascended as to fill the whole universe. So for me, if I was to actually see a scruffy Pastor it would intrigue me enough to open up my lugholes. This is my perspective and the way I look at it.
I think if you are to start being fastidious over what is worn in this regard, it is putting an unnecessary limitation on God’s word and work. It feels religious to me and not in a good way.
Equally though I wouldn’t look at someone walking into church with a suit and tie on as anything, because that is the point I just don’t care what people wear because it is irrelevant and temporary to me, when the real reason I am in church is for eternal purposes.
The reality of the suit brigades attitudes are… how many ears, eyes, minds and hearts are closed, simply down to the fact of the attire that is insisted on being worn?
God meets people where they are at and is not expecting people to meet Him where He is at…
To lead anyone to the ‘banqueting table’ in your fine dining restaurant, you need to get yourself down to where people are at, eating the crumbs off the floor and not the nice clean, shiny tables. However, to do that would mean getting the squeaky clean suits, all dusty and dirty from the floor, when kneeling down.
Why concern over what the outside of that cup looks like, should be more concerned about what is in it and what wine is filling it.
You shall know them by their fruits. Nowhere, and I mean nowhere, does the Scripture referencing fruits include….you shall know them by the suits they wear!
I have often found the rejects when they do have money, are more likely to use it to help others, rather than the rich man who insists on his finery…there is a parable in the bible that covers that. At some point yes we do need to get out of the head and into the heart. Away from doctrines and into the heart of Jesus.
It’s not the Will of God, if it goes against the Word of God. God’s Word stands always, before, now and into the future.
There is nothing wrong with wearing a suit, there is everything wrong in insisting that a suit must be worn to show your honour and respect to God, or that this is a sign that someone honours God. Honouring God comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience“
This shows and witnesses the honor of God to those around you. This to me is the kind of doctrines I am interested in. Ones that display the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit, the working of God in the Church and their submission to the working of the Holy Spirit now and God speaking revelations to us.
Peace and love in Christ
Hi Kingdomshier,
I was glad I was able to restore this. Thank you for sharing the Spirit. I really appreciate it!
God bless,
Michael