A Few Thoughts For Your Tuesday From The Enon Church Of Christ

 Man is always concerned about the truth, and there are many who claim that they are truth-seekers.  What is truth?  Jesus said in John 17:17, “Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.”  The purity of God’s word is described in Psalm 12:6, “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”  Proverbs 30:5 teaches us that, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” 

 The truth of God will make man perfect, for we read in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 

 Yet, there are many who claim that they have new revelations from God and publicly announce that they are prophesying.  God’s word stands firmly against all such false claims, and since God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness, it is just not possible for any man to reveal any truth other than that which has already been revealed in the word of God.  Further, the truth of God has been delivered once and for all.  We read in Jude 3, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” 

 We see from the foregoing that the truth of God is complete, it will make man perfect, has been confirmed, and has been once delivered to the Christian.  Therefore, God's Word warns us not to add to or take away from that Word.  This warning is found in three distinct positions in the Bible.  (1) In the beginning of the Bible we read in Deuteronomy 4:2, "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."  (2) In the middle of the Bible we read in Proverbs 30:6, "Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar."  (3) In the end of the Bible we read in Revelation 22:18-19, " For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: 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."

 The apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 1:8- 9, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed."

 It is so sad that many reject the truth of God.  Jeremiah wrote, "O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps" (Jeremiah 10:23).  If man is not in a position to direct his steps, then how must man walk?  We find the answer in 2 Corinthians 5:7, "For we walk by faith ...."  What is faith?  Romans' 10:17 reads, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  Therefore, how does man walk?  He walks as he is directed in the Word of God.

Man may reject the Word of God, but he can be certain that the Word of God will confront him in the last day, for we read in John 12:48, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day."