CHRIST IS MY DOCTRINE

Every religion that holds to, stands on, and promotes their doctrine, HAS MISSED CHRIST.

If my religion is based on the actual 7^th day of the week, I’ve missed CHRIST MY SABBATH!

If my religion is built on speaking in tongues, I’ve missed CHRIST MY WORD!

If my religion is dependent upon my works, I’ve missed CHRIST MY AUTHOR AND FINISHER!

If my religion stops at me being baptized in a pool of water, I’ve missed CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED!

Pastor Gabe Stalnaker

“HE KNOWS THE SHEPHERD!”

Some years ago at a social function in England, a great actor was asked to recite something for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented. He asked if there was anything special which his audience would like to hear. An aged minister who was present arose and said, “Could you, sir, recite the twenty-third psalm?” The great actor replied, “I can, and I will if you, my friend, after I have finished, will do the same.” The minister reluctantly consented. Impressively, the great actor recited the psalm. His voice was perfect. His intonation was flawless. The audience was spellbound. As he finished, the guests applauded. Then, the aged minister arose and began to recite the psalm. His voice was not remarkable. His intonation was not faultless. When he finished, there was no applause. There was silence. There was not a dry eye in the room. Many heads were bowed in reverence. The great actor again arose to his feet and, with great emotion, he said. “My friends, I have reached your eyes and ears. But the minister has reached your hearts. The difference is this: I know the psalm, but he knows the Shepherd!”

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THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IS MORE THAN DOCTRINE

The scriptures plainly declare God who is sovereign in all things. Every believer loves and believes God who is sovereign in all things. God is sovereign over the path of the whale in the ocean and the path of the ant on the ground. God is sovereign over the rainfall and the sunshine. It rains in the exact spot God decrees and there is drought where God decrees. God is sovereign over the orbit of planets that we need telescopes to see and God is sovereign over the movement of cells that we need microscopes to see. So obviously God is sovereign in salvation. No sinner will ever be saved unless God has sovereignly elected that sinner unto salvation, sovereignly puts that sinner’s sin away under the blood of Christ, sovereignly calls that sinner from death unto life, and sovereignly gives that sinner faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The sovereignty of God is not only a doctrine that separates believers from unbelievers. The sovereignty of God is the believer’s joy and comfort. God is sovereign, so if God has decreed my salvation from all eternity, nothing can ever cause me to loose my salvation. God is sovereign, so whatever happens to me, happens at the divine will of God. When I have a time of joy, I am thankful because I know God sent it. When I have a time of trial and sorrow, I am comforted because this is not a horrible accident. My sovereign God has decreed this trial for me. I am comforted because my sovereign heavenly Father has said that I am to be in this spot right now and by His grace I can rest in His sovereign will. To a child of God, God’s sovereignty will always be much more than mere doctrine.

Some good men who, in grievous error, would impose the law as a rule of life for the believer means very well by it (for they strive to be pious); but the whole principle is false. The law, instead of being a rule of life, is necessarily a rule of death to one who has a sin nature. Far from being a delivering power, it can only condemn such. Far from being a means of holiness, it is, in fact, and according to Paul, “the strength of sin” (I Cor. 15:56).

William Kelly