"Addition and Subtraction"

“Addition and Subtraction”

 

Remember those first grade days when we learned the basics of arithmetic? In my case I recall counting from 1 to 100 before the 2+2’s and 4-2’s came along. Calculators and computers have largely replaced the manual methods but the old ways are still a handy tool to call on in a pinch.

Addition and subtraction are certainly appropriate when it comes to numbers. But what about God’s Word? In a comic strip years ago Dagwood asked Blondie for more spare ribs. When she pointed out he’d already had two helpings he told her it was in the Bible that he could have all he wanted. When she expressed doubt he got the family Bible, pointed at a page, and said, “See, I wrote it here myself.” Karen recently read me an on line devotional which told of a man asking a church for financial help. When the pastor questioned him about his employment the answer was, “God told me not to work.” The pastor then cited 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (“If a man will not work, he shall not eat.”) to which the man responded, “I don’t accept that.” The common denominator in both cases is trying to change Scripture to say what they wanted it to say.

Scripture isn’t subject to polls or an up-or-down vote. Psalm 119:89 reminds us, “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” So no amount of spin or exegetical gymnastics (a fancy term for bending it to suit our wishes) will change what God has already said. As a line in a great old hymn says, “What more can He say than to you He hath said….?” So God by “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him….” (2 Peter 1:3).

The Bible closes with a strong warning: “If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words of this prophetic book, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19, NLT). Sounds like a pretty good reason to confine our addition and subtraction to numbers, not God’s truth. Remember, “Every word of God is flawless….” (Proverbs 30:5).

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan