Gazing Together

     In Bible Study yesterday, my sister-in-law and I together began to see something as we opened up a certain Scripture. In Heb. 6: 1,2. it says:

6 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

² Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

     We began to really look at this verse, and saw in it,  how when groups of people, like these Christians, and those today, remain stuck on fixed doctrines, as these listed here, or any other denominational tenets of faith, even on certain "revelations" received in non-denominational circles, and "park it there," it prevents them from "going on to perfection"or maturity. In other words, our dogmatic doctrinal statements of faith, belief systems, or "new teachings", are the very stumbling blocks that keep us from growing in Christ. We believe we have "found the light" and go no further.
     ***It's not about knowing all the "right" ways to look at things from His Word, or even by revelation, but it's about knowing Him, and there is no end in Him. As we look upon His face, or into who He is, we are changed (or matured or made into His image) from glory to glory:

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD."-2 Cor.3:18.

     So, it's not about knowing in our head, but knowing Him in our hearts. Our doctrine, if we must, needs to be Christ , and Him crucified. Being under His headship, and gazing into who He is, not only causes us to grow personally, but also is the joint factor, that makes us one with each other. It's all those other belief systems of thought that alienates the Body of Christ. We are simply, one in Him.

    Another thing that seperates His Body, is when we look unto man, and not God, whether it be a particular pastor, teacher, author, or even someone on the internet. It is so telling when, Paul, rebukes the people who desired to identify themselves by the person they were following and not identifying themselves as being "in Christ." I Cor. 1:10-13. To the ones who were arguing over the one they were following, Paul, reminds them that they are to be "perfectly united in heart and mind," and says, "Is Christ divided?" When we aligned ourselves with man, institutions, denominations,etc, the Body becomes divided. I believe the world sees this, and this becomes but one deterrant of them wanting to align themselves with us, even with Christ, because of it.

     One time, I was led to give someone some money, and I guess he considered it a substantial amount, and remarked, "What church are you from?" to which I replied (as inspired by His Spirit), "I just try and follow Jesus"

     He must be our only Head, and we must begin to start "looking unto Him" and "gaze into His face" to mature. As we change into His image, the world will begin to see Him in us.

     As God showed me and my sister-in-law this reality, I am inspired to suggest to her next week, that we start having our study be about Him, and all the many things He is. I wonder where we will start? May God lead us, as we gaze into His face.

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***-I am not minimizing the importance of understanding the written Word of God here, but I am just saying that alot of the understanding we think we have, has been handed down to us by men, instead of by us letting the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, bring us understanding. Many times we filter the Word through our own carnal minds, which are polluted and biased. So we must pray that the Lord give us His understanding when reading His Word.