Two thousand years ago, the religious schools were filled with studious scholars. They diligently studied the Bible in search of establishing correct doctrine. Meanwhile, outside their window, walked the Messiah fulfilling of their doctrine. Although their doctrine was in order, many of these scholars didn't recognize the Messiah.

Could history be repeating itself? Are the doctrinally astute consciously aware of the Messiah's return, or are they so fixated on forming correct doctrine that they can't see biblical prophecy fulfilled?

Sadly, it is our doctrine that defines Christianity today. True, basic doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ is required, but far beyond this, we are known, and know each other, by our doctrine. People are to recognize us by our love for one another (John 13:35). We are so full of our; Methodist doctrine, Episcopal doctrine, Presbyterian doctrine, Catholic doctrine, Assemblies of God doctrine, etc., that we've lost ourselves in our religious belief systems. We've forgotten that the very purpose of our doctrine is to increase a relationship with a living God. He is more concerned with our hearts' love for Him than our doctrinal ducks being in order.

The first commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our love for God is more important than doctrine. The demons fear and believe in the name of Jesus, and yet they are damned forever. Their "doctrine" doesn't do them any good. We are not saved by perfect doctrine, but rather our love for a perfect Savior.

It's one thing to serve God with our heads, but an entirely different matter to serve Him with our hearts. Too often our heads are full of doctrine while our hearts are empty. We know so much about God without really knowing God Himself. We've been diligent to keep our doctrine while our hearts have wandered into complacent lifestyles. Solomon understood this when he said, "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23)

Whenever God gets close, it's the thoughts and intents of our hearts that He convicts. It is easier for us to hide behind our theology and ideology of our heads than letting Him into the depths of our souls. If His conviction on our hearts doesn't agree with our doctrine, will we hold to our doctrine at the expense of His presence? Are we content to just maintain a religious appearance or do we want to personally know Him?

Our finite minds can never fully comprehend the One Who is infinite. How arrogant to believe the created can wholly contain the Creator or the finite can define the infinite. Isaiah 40:25 says, "To whom then will you liken Me, or will I be equal? says the Holy One." Then in Job 11:7 we read, "Can you by searching find out God? Can you find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what can you do? Deeper than hell; what can you know?"

As we grow in our relationships with God, by necessity, our doctrine must also grow and change. He may come into our lives like the wind of a small tornado and sweep away some doctrine we've held dear -- all to make room for more of Himself. If that happens, will we allow Him to transform our lives?

If we worship our doctrine more than God, growth in our understanding of Him will cease. We must never hold to our doctrine at the expense of growing in our knowledge of God. We've tried to define God by our words when He is really defined by His power (1 Corinthians 1:20).

There are realms of God yet uncharted and power still unseen. We have not experienced all heaven has to offer. "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" (Romans 11:33).

Although God's ways are beyond our understanding, we have insisted on making doctrine our first priority. It's the preparation of our hearts, not the doctrine in our heads, that will create expectation in our hearts for Jesus' return.