CommunionFire Revival Break Dancing With Doctrine

Dancing with Doctrine
by Sharon Burton DePalma

What in the world is doctrine? I've personally struggled with this question most of my life and while I don’t think I’m alone in this type of thinking, I am probably one of THOSE people that will question statements that don’t make sense to me.

According to Webster
Doctrine: 1. archaic : TEACHING, INSTRUCTION 2. a. Something that is taught b. a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of beliefs: DOGMA c. a principle of law established through past decisions d: a statement of fundamental government policy esp. international relations.

BREAK DANCING

True story. I was divorced and remarried a man who had never been married (and I now know why). My in-laws invited us to their church and let me know quickly because of my divorce I couldn't sing in the choir 
(can’t sing anyway), I couldn't teach Sunday School or become part of the Women’s Missionary Group. Of course, they would accept my nasty tithes. Not one person asked about my relationship with Jesus. So I 
have to ask, have we made church doctrine more important than a personal relationship with Jesus?
I named this doctrine – Break Dancing! 

It had the power to break someone. Because I grew up with a sweet, forgiving and loving Jesus who wanted me to ‘…make a joyful noise,’ I wasn't broken. Teach Sunday School, are you kidding me? Jesus had not given me a thing to say, at that time. The Women’s Missionary Group looked like a bunch of older ladies having bake sales to send money to Africa. Wasn't interested in that either.

Later, I was attending an Assembly of God church when Jimmy Swaggert fell. Everyone knew I loved Jimmy Swaggert…Seriously, the pastor came to me and said ‘…we will be taking his preacher papers.’
(Whatever that means) Apparently when you become a minister, you sign papers proclaiming to never mess up … especially sexually. After all the explanations, I figured it out. 

Same thing happened with King David, only he took it to another level. Murder. Looking at the pastor I 
said, “Oh, yeah. I remember now how God our Father snatched the crown off the head of David and sent him to the backside of the desert never to preach again in this neighborhood.” WHAT???

Does Jesus forgive us instantly OR does Jesus put us in time-out? The poor thief on the cross with Jesus did not have time, for a time-out. Remember the “What would Jesus do” with Jimmy Swaggert. Just asking.

Paul explained in Galatians 6 what needs to be done…Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if you see your brother in a trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

There are several excellent examples of how Jesus handled sin among the people in his days on earth. Remember the woman caught in adultery … ‘Ye without sin cast the first stone’. My personal favorite, 
the woman at the well…Jesus knew her well. No yelling or screaming, just come and drink of the living water and you will never thirst again. He gave her a relationship not rules to follow. Jesus restored both 
women with a spirit of gentleness. 

Most doctrine divides Christians even though in John 17, Jesus prayed for us to be united together as His Body. First we are divided about being ‘saved’, baptized in water and filled with the Holy Spirit. One 
group says speaking with other tongues went away when that which was perfect came. (They are talking about the Bible). Another group believes you MUST speak in tongues. This list goes on and on and on.
Jesus wants unity among believers…He came to earth to show us His relationship with His Father. Jesus died on the cross, was resurrected on the third day so we would believe He was truly the Son of God. He 
ascended into heaven, sat down at the right hand of God our Father and sent us the Holy Spirit to teach us all things.

Jesus gave us two new commandments to replace the other 619 in the law of Moses.
 
To love the LORD with all our heart. 

To love our neighbor. 

If we do these things, the law is fulfilled. 

When we Dance with Doctrine, we are creating our own new laws. For years I've thought, getting saved is the easiest thing in the world. Believe. 

Who wouldn't want to do that? Who wouldn't want eternal life? Who wouldn't want to go to heaven? Who wouldn't want to hang out with a bunch of Christians? Gotcha there, didn't I? Have you ever noticed 
though…Once we get in, we tend to make it more difficult on the next bunch that wants to come to Jesus…Gotta quit smoking, drinking and hanging out with those that do.

Jesus doesn't have a set of guidelines … He just says ‘Come, follow me.”

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