Have you ever tried to break a life-long habit? I’ve been on my new diet for a couple of weeks now, and I’m trying not to eat and drink at the same time. It’s hard! I’ve learned that I have to cut meat in tiny bites, and liking it “well done” is a thing of the past. It’s too dry with nothing to “wash it down.” Tonight, Steve volunteered to grill out – Yay! Anytime I don’t have to cook supper, is a good night! Well, in order to avoid getting the meat too done and dry, he brought it in early – tooooooo early. I don’t like it still “mooing” either. Ya’ know what I mean? It’s hard to get it “just right.”
Anyway, this got me to thinking how some people treat the scriptures. They are like the Jews who were so afraid of breaking the law of Moses, that they ran past what God had said, and they started binding the laws of “their fathers.” Jesus said, “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Remember when Paul was whipped? They gave him 40 lashes, save one. Why save one? It was because if they miscounted and gave him 41, then they would get the same treatment – 40 lashes. No one wanted to make such a mistake, so they changed law. In Galatians 3:10, Paul told the churches in Galatia, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” We are to continue in “all things which are written in the book of the law.”
We must be careful that we don’t go too far, yet we must also make sure that we go far enough. We can’t stop too soon. Example: Many feel that salvation comes with faith, but in II Peter 3:21, it says, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” Yes, baptism is necessary for salvation. Don’t stop before you get the whole truth.
We must “study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” How will you know what’s too little and what’s too far? You must study. No matter how many Bible classes or sermons you hear, nothing takes the place of personal Bible study. For we know that Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48) Friends, we will be judged by how we have followed His Word. This is one time when we must be “just right.” Oh – by the way, my steak was perfect! Simply blessed, Courtney
Thanks!!