I'm always interested in doctrines and what's right and wrong, and how people go about supporting their particular viewpoint and things like that.
Recently, I was challenged by a gentleman to consider what exactly I would define as absolutely essential for salvation, and I began to consider that, and how I would support my beliefs, chapter and verse.
In taking up that challenge, I came across a passage that I'd never paused to consider before.
John 7:17 speaks mouthfuls to me as I seek to define what exactly are the very essential things, the non-negotiable absolutes that a person must believe in order to be saved, but it has broader application as well.
The passage says, "If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak it on My own authority."
That bears repeating, while reading slowly.
"If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God…"
That of course was when Jesus was challenged by the people he was trying to make understand. But if anyone wills to His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God. I think that's really kind of cool that God would choose to bless us in that way, by letting us know concerning a particular doctrine, whether it is from God.
That just speaks to me in a way only Scripture can.
* submitted by A. Jay Sutton
