DO NOT ADD, TAKE AWAY OR REJECT HIS WORD!
DO NOT ADD, TAKE AWAY OR REJECT HIS WORD!
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. —Deuteronomy 4:2
Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. —Proverbs 30:6
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. —Revelation 22:18-19
These Words of God are not to be taken lightly at all! Here’s an example of what happens when changing God’s Word and the consequences that follow—
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!” —Galatians 1:6-9
We are not to add anything to God’s Word or take away anything from God’s Word. That begins with the gospel. What is the gospel at its core? —
“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.” —I Corinthians 15:1-7
The salvation message is simple, not complicated. Yet I am concerned that many have added to this simple message of salvation through Jesus alone, or even taken away from it. We better adhere to the Word of God! The consequences of deliberately adding to God’s Word of taking away from it are severe as we have read above. But the severe consequences come not only from changing the Word of God or adding to the Word of God, these severe consequences also come for not accepting God’s Word— If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord! (I Corinthians 16:22). Obedience to God shows our love for Him and for His people (John 14:21; I John 5:1-4). Oh, that we would read and heed what God says. Yes, Dear Father, may this be so for every person reading this today and may it be so by the power and guidance of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Yes, may this be so! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMhmDPWeftw