Day 365: Don’t Mess With Scripture

31 Dec, 2020

The Daily Word: Thursday, December 31st, 2020
Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
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. – Rev. 22:18-19

There is a tendency in the modern church to cherry-pick Scripture. To cherry-pick something means to pick only what is easy: to take what is appealing and leave out the rest. But Jesus does not mince words as He describes the treatment of those who add to the Word or take away from it: “God shall take away his part from the Book of Life” (v 19).

That should terrify you. It terrifies me! God gave us His Word in totality on purpose. We don’t get to pick out the parts that we like and throw away the parts we don’t! God’s Word is not a buffet where you select what is appetizing and leave out what doesn’t appeal to you. God’s Word is medicine: if you miss a required dose, you will never be healthy!

As we close one year and enter into the next, make this your declaration for the new year: I will embrace the full counsel of God. I will digest His entire Word, whether it sits well with me or not! The consequence of cutting from or adding to God’s Word is the difference between life and death, heaven and hell. But the benefit of swallowing His Word whole is eternal life!

Prayer:

Father, I receive Your Word! I accept Your full counsel. I don’t want to pick and choose the parts of the Bible that I want to read and believe. I believe it all! Even if it’s uncomfortable, I believe it! Even if it’s unpopular, I believe it! Thank You for Your word, in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.