The sixty-six books of your Bible are the all-authoritative Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 14:37). They were given by the Holy Spirit, who moved inspired penmen to write the very words He delivered (2 Pet. 1:20-21; 1 Cor. 2:10-13). In the Bible, we have “all things” that are given by God and “all things” that are necessary to serve God (2 Tim. 3:17; 2 Pet. 1:3; Jude 3). So, what is my responsibility to this ALL-inspired, ALL-sufficient, for ALL-time delivered Word?
First, let us consider what we are NOT to do with God’s Word. It seems strange that we would even need to address what “not” to do with the Bible, but the ways of man required God to give some very explicit instructions and warnings (in both the Old Testament and the New Testament).
We must NOT “add to” God’s Word (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; Rev. 22:18). It is perfect in every way (Psa. 19:7). It is not “missing” anything and does not need our “help” with the addition of our thoughts, opinions, traditions, etc.
We must NOT “take away from” God’s Word (Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Rev. 22:19). How daring and arrogant would it be to suggest that a command of God does not need to be kept or that a specified condition of salvation is not required. We are not God and have no right to put ourselves in the place of God!
We must NOT modify, substitute or pervert the will of God (Gal. 1:6-9). Neither the apostles nor the angels had the authority to change any part of God’s Word (Gal. 1:8)! What mortal today can have such a right (1:9)? Those who presume to do such will be “accursed.”
We must NOT elevate our own doctrines or traditions above God’s Word. That is why it is so essential to understand that the 66 books of the Bible are ALL-inspired, ALL-sufficient and ALL-time delivered. Jesus gave an extended and explicit warning to those who advance their traditions in place of or alongside His Word. In so doing, they “lay aside the commandment of God,” “reject the commandment of God,” and “make the word of God of no effect” (Mark 7:8, 9, 13). There are eternal consequences for doing such (Matt. 15:13).
We must NOT go beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6). Some translations say not to “think beyond” what is written, for when we do, we do not have God (2 John 9).
We must NOT speak beyond that which is written (1 Pet. 4:11). One will be judged by the words he uses (Matt. 12:36-37), and anyone who teaches will be subject to a “stricter judgment” (Jas. 3:1). How dangerous to speak where God has not spoken or to speak differently than God has.
One more thought to go: What are we to DO with God’s all-authoritative Word? Read next week.