John 7:16 – 18  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. 

 ‘My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.’ – Seven times He claimed that He spoke only God’s words at His direction (vv. 7:16; 8:28, 47; 12:49; 14:10, 24; 17:8). He was a true ambassador and a true example to us (2Cor. 5:20).

‘Know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself’ The acid test of a true doctrine is whether or not it is scriptural; whether it makes men love God supremely and others as themselves; and whether it glorifies God and produces peace among men. He challenged His enemies to judge His doctrine on this basis. Most doctrine today is church doctrine and man-made and not scriptural at all, yet people still choose to follow those instead of searching the Scriptures for themselves (reading the Word).

‘He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory’ – an infallible rule that was given to us by Christ is that self-seekers’ will come in their own names creating their own ministries seeking their own glory and secular interests, the same as it was in Jesus’ time.

‘But he that seeks his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.’ Christ promoted the Father’s glory, induced men to serve Him, proposed nothing contrary to the Scripture or the fulfilment of it, and therefore was declared a true prophet. If we add to this the miraculous works confirming His divine mission, then we must accept the Messiah: Jesus Christ.