doctrine

Then Pharisees and legal experts came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ² “Why are your disciples breaking the elders’ rules handed down to us? They don’t ritually purify their hands by washing before they eat.” ³ Jesus replied, “Why do you break the command of God by keeping the rules handed down to you? ⁴ For God said, Honor your father and your mother, and The person who speaks against father or mother will certainly be put to death. ⁵ But you say, ‘If you tell your father or mother, “Everything I’m expected to contribute to you I’m giving to God as a gift,” then you don’t have to honor your father.’ ⁶ So you do away with God’s Law for the sake of the rules that have been handed down to you. ⁷ Hypocrites! Isaiah really knew what he was talking about when he prophesied about you, ⁸ This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far away from me. ⁹ Their worship of me is empty since they teach instructions that are human rules.” (Matthew 15:1-9, CEB)

This is a slippery slope, but doctrines are not God’s law.

When we focus on what we are told to do by the institution and not actually do what God has told us to do, we are not serving God but serving man and institution. We are supposed to follow God’s law and shine the light of God’s love in the world.

Do not let doctrine get in the way of your following God.

Loving People. Loving God.