When Doctrine Misses the Mark: Part 1
Falling Short, Going Too Far, and the Narrow Path of Covenant Faithfulness
When Doctrine Misses the Mark: Part 1
Falling Short, Going Too Far, and the Narrow Path of Covenant Faithfulness
The Map Is Not the Land
Somewhere along the way, we traded the journey for a diagram.
The map for the mountains.
The Shepherd’s voice for a systematic theology.
Doctrine was meant to help us — to teach, to clarify, to guide us deeper into the truth revealed by Yah through His Word. But too often, it’s become something else entirely.
For some, doctrine falls short: it explains salvation but makes no call to holiness; it preaches grace but demands no obedience; it replaces covenant with comfort.
For others, doctrine goes too far: it adds requirements Yah never gave, elevates traditions above Scripture, and burdens the soul with rules masquerading as righteousness.
But Yeshua didn’t call us to choose between cheap grace and religious pride.
He called us to walk the narrow path — a Way that’s neither license nor legalism, but life in covenant with the living Elohim.
What the Scriptures Say
“Enter through the narrow gate... But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
— Matthew 7:13–14“You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
— Mark 7:13“Certain people have crept in… who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality.”
— Jude 1:4“Test everything. Hold fast what is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Two Ditches on Either Side of the Road
Yeshua taught a Way — not just a set of beliefs.
A Way that is grounded in truth, filled with grace, and led by the Spirit.
But too often, we swerve off the road in one of two directions:
Ditch 1: Doctrine That Falls Short
This is where covenant is reduced to convenience:
Grace becomes permission instead of empowerment (Titus 2:11–12).
Faith is redefined as agreement, not allegiance (James 2:19).
The Torah is dismissed as obsolete, rather than fulfilled and written on our hearts (Matthew 5:17; Jeremiah 31:33).
It’s a gospel that rescues but never reforms.
It fills pews but not hearts.
Ditch 2: Doctrine That Goes Too Far
This is where tradition eclipses truth:
Man-made laws are added to Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:2).
Denominational loyalty replaces discipleship.
Legal systems mimic Torah but twist it into performance-based righteousness (Matthew 23:4).
It’s a gospel that binds instead of frees.
It produces outward conformity but not inward transformation.
The Narrow Path of Spirit and Truth
Yeshua didn’t come to start a religion — He came to renew a covenant.
He didn’t just give us doctrine. He gave us Himself.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”
— John 14:6
The Way of the Messiah:
Calls us out of lawlessness and legalism
Leads us by the Spirit and anchors us in the Word
Frees us from man-made burdens and delivers us into covenant responsibility
This is the Way we are reclaiming.
Not a theology, but a walk.
Three Practical Applications
Test Every Teaching
Before accepting any doctrine — old or new — ask: Does this align with the whole of Scripture? Does it reflect the life and teaching of Yeshua?
Beware of the Extremes
If a teaching offers comfort with no call to holiness, or obedience with no mercy — it’s probably a ditch.
Return to the Way
Let the Torah be your instruction, Yeshua your example, and the Ruach your guide. Learn to walk again, not just believe.
Five Discussion Questions
Have you ever experienced a doctrine that “fell short” of biblical faithfulness?
Have you encountered teachings that added more than what Yah actually commanded?
What does it mean to “walk the narrow path” in practical terms?
How do we test doctrine in a world with so many competing voices?
Why is it important to hold grace and obedience together?