LISTEN TO EVERY MESSAGE WITH AN OPEN BIBLE - Part 3 DOCTRINE AND APPLICATIONS: THE PAULINE PATTERN Brother Paul's examples in writing were laden with most of his books having a huge chunk or the first half being dedicated to doctrine and the other half to the application of scriptures. Understanding that this is how to make a balanced Christian. You cannot separate scriptures from its doctrine. They must be understood well enough so that the application of scripture can be effectively undertaken. The contemporary church has fallen prey to a dangerous imbalance of application without doctrinal foundation. This is decidedly not the apostolic model. Study Paul's epistles with discernment. Romans dedicates eleven chapters to doctrine before addressing conduct. Ephesians establishes three chapters of positional truth before practical living. This pattern reveals a crucial truth: right practice must flow from right understanding. That pivotal "therefore" in Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 4:1 is not merely transitional, it's the fulcrum between knowing and doing. Paul understood that doctrine isn't abstract theory but the very ground from which godly living springs. We're offered "practical steps" whilst being starved of theological depth. We receive prosperity formulas without understanding sovereignty, victory claims without grasping suffering, and breakthrough techniques without doctrinal moorings. The result? Christians built on shifting sand, stirred emotionally but malnourished spiritually. The mature believer recognises that transformation comes not through mere behaviour modification but through beholding Christ's glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Doctrine is not dry academia as many have come to see it but the lens through which we see Him clearly. Dive deep into the Bible, beloved. Learn doctrine. Apply these revelations with understanding. Shalom #thesonofabba #ezer