Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Wisdom from Proverbs”
Our Bible verse for today: “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “God doesn’t need our help.”
Proverbs 30:5 reminds us of a vitally important truth that we need to always keep in mind: The Word of God is inspired by the Holy Spirit of God. It is pure and perfect and it actually serves as a means of protection for those who obey it and live by it. This truth is repeated for us by God numerous times throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 6:1-3 Moses told the Israelites:
“This is the command – the statutes and ordinances – the Lord your God has instructed me to teach you, so that you may follow them in the land you are about to enter and possess. Do this so that you may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life by keeping all His statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly.”
In 2 Timothy 3:15-17 the Apostle Paul expressed the same truth for New Testament believers when he wrote: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
So there can be no question that the Word of God provides us with the principles and guidance we need in order to live well, according to God’s standards. However, we also need to remain aware of the truth expressed in verse 6 that the Word of God is complete, and therefore does not need to be added to by us.
This is important because far too many Christians over the years have come to the conclusion that God evidently left some stuff out of the Bible that He should have included. Therefore He needs to be helped along a little as we fill in the gaps for Him. Churches and denominations have historically compiled additional lists of do’s and don’ts of their own, and then they attempt to compel their people to obey those additional rules and regulations. And, almost always, they try to portray those additional rules and regulations as being from God. Although they usually don’t actually say it the implication is, “This is what God meant to say.” as if God wasn’t clear enough on His own.
In the Old Testament, and in the days of Jesus, this was the sin of the Pharisees. They created a massive list of additional rules and regulations that went far beyond anything God Himself required of His people. In our day there are many modern-day Pharisees who have done essentially the same thing.
The truth is that the Word of God is perfect and pure – and complete! We are not free to take anything away from it, but we’re also not free to add to it. If you want to make up additional rules for yourself that you are going to live by, that’s fine. But don’t try to insist that everyone else needs to live by them too, and definitely don’t attempt to say that those additional rules are from God. God doesn’t need our help in this area. He got it right the first time.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 