Traditional Religion or Jesus? Choice is Yours - Part 613

Often, as new believers in Jesus, we are tempted to get caught up in the institutional religious form associated with church-ianity. Once there, we often adopt the respective established doctrines or creed as presented without ever questioning whether the doctrine(s) in question have a credible scriptural basis. As a consequence, when we hear John 5:39 quoted, we expect that the religious leader - whether it be minister or priest -- has already searched the scriptures for clarity and direction. "For in them ye think ye have eternal life; they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

But there is another passage whereby Jesus also spoke on this topic that is often missed. Reading in John 7:16-19, Jesus said to the Jews, "My doctrine is not mine, but His that sent me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true and no unrighteousness is in him."

And then Jesus asks, "Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?" (John 7:19)

Herein, Jesus was giving the people a choice. This is the same choice that is extended to us today. That is, are we willing to do His will as in "if any man will do His will." (John 7:17) In essence then, these scriptures are giving us an opportunity to pursue the will of God and apply His liberty to our very being. In so doing, as the scriptures state, we will know in our hearts whether the scriptural teachings and doctrines that are being presented by man-made organizations are true. 

Remember that Jesus told us to "Beware of the scribes which love to go in long clothing and love salutations in the marketplaces, and the chief seats in the synagogues and the uppermost rooms at feasts. Which devour widows' houses and for a pretence make long prayers." Jesus warned us that these "shall receive greater damnation." (John 7:38-40)

So instead of falling into an institutionalized form, how do we will to do His will? 

Jesus said that the first of all the commandments is "The Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment." (Mark 12:29-31) 

And the second is like, namely this, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31, Matthew 22:37-40)

It is on these two commandments that hang all the law and the prophets. The basis of the New Testament -- the New Covenant. This is our starting point. Read the New Testament scriptures for yourself so that you too can know the doctrines that are true. Will to do His will today. 

Admittedly, there will be questions. Even when the Pharisees (the learned of the community) gathered together, the scriptures state that they were unable to answer Jesus when He said, "What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?"

When the Pharisees responded with "The son of David" Jesus said, "How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy footstool. If David then call Him Lord, how is He His son?"

The promise to those who will to do His will is that we will know the doctrines of Jesus. The Word that was in the beginning and became flesh so that you and I could experience salvation. The greatest love story ever told. The love of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Therefore, desire in your heart to do His will -- be willing to do the will of Jesus in all our endeavours. He who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will know His doctrines, whether they are of God as Jesus declared -- "whether I speak of myself" -- or whether these teachings are of man. Indeed, Jesus never fails. Embrace His teachings today. Stand in the offering plate.