August 6, 2022
Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6
The love of Jesus for children is a powerful, soul-winning attribute of His that attracts people of every age. His strong affection for our wee ones is evident in His divine instructions for parents. All older people, including parents, are given this opportunity to show their love for the Lord:
“You shall love the LORD with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7
These clear instructions, given on the heels of the Ten Commandments, should be so well known and practiced among the people of God that daily conversation in the family setting naturally flows with the refreshing water of life: the word of God!
Being thoughtfully careful not to add to or take away from the words of the Lord should be a “staple” for every Christian. God’s word is so richly, divinely lavished upon us as the tangible heavenly resource for all problem-solving (in case it wasn’t harnessed for preventing troubles).
But the grim reality is that man has tampered with God’s word. The practice of Christianity today in too many ways does not resemble the Way of Jesus. The beautiful simplicity of divine instructions is too often pushed aside, leaving the average churchgoer with the impression that God changes His instructions, alters His plan, and doesn’t mind if His followers add to, delete, and substitute manmade ideas in place of His instructions as well. This conditioning toward elevating tradition above the Bible does indeed lead people into sin of every kind.
May we remember daily the opportunity we have to shift our conversation and practices into alignment with God’s Way, fully relying on His Word and His Spirit as our guide. God’s Spirit will never contradict His Word!
My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Psalm 89:34
My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. Jeremiah 2:11
For I am the LORD, I do not change. Malachi 3:6
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
H A P P Y S A B B A T H B E L O V E D !