Respect for God’s Word
Jan
15
Written by:
1/15/2012 3:03 PM
The Bible has long been revered as God’s Word! Very few would dare take a pair of scissors and cut from the pages of Scripture passages with which they disagree, nor would few write in margins laws in addition to what God has said.
Ancient Israel was warned by Moses, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you” (
Deuteronomy 4:2). A similar warning is found in the closing revelation from the Lord: “If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (
Revelation 22:18-19).
The Lord God Almighty is greatly concerned that His people follow His instructions! God’s law is set aside when people are required to do more than Scripture teaches; God’s law is ignored when people ignore to do what God has said. In each case, there is guilt is disobeying God.
While none of us would dare cut out Scriptures we dislike, nor would we dare write in commandments to replace what God has said, could it be possible that we may at times be guilty of adding to or taking from God’s word?
How could this be? When we ignore or refuse to act as God requires, have we not, by our action, taken from the Word? When we place, in addition to God’s law, requirements for faithfulness, have we not, by our action, added to God’s Word?
Respect for God’s Word leads us to say with Samuel of old, “Speak, Lord; Your servant hears.” Upon hearing, we then follow through in obedience to our God.
–Ralph Burris