I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. – Revelation 22:19 (NIV)
Reflecting on this verse, I asked myself a question: what would make anyone desire to add to or remove from God’s word?
A clear prerequisite for walking effectively with God is a love for the truth, a love for righteousness and a hatred for iniquity.
The desire to add to or remove from God’s word comes from a wrong heart. Such a heart is proud, consumed with its own lusts, filled with its own ways and does not truly desire to do God’s will.
In contrast to that type of heart, there is a kind of heart that trembles and obeys God’s word. The bible describes such a heart as a humble and meek heart (Isaiah 66:2). Such a heart trusts God wholeheartedly and knows that what God has said is the best.
Jesus is the perfect example of the right kind of heart; a heart of faithfulness, obedience to God’s word and determination to do God’s will.
- He announced it when He was coming into the world: Hebrews 10:5-9 (cc Psalms 40:6-8)
- He made it clear to the devil: Matthew 4 vs 4
- He made it clear to the multitudes and Pharisees: John 12:49
- He displayed perfect submission at Gethsemane: Luke 22:42
- His life demonstrated it: John 12:27; Philippians 2:5-13
This same Jesus is our Apostle (Hebrews 3 vs 1), our example, the One we are to follow. He has called us His disciples and we are to have the same attitude He had (Philippians 2:5-13)
Take a look at your life and ask yourself today: how faithful am I to the word of God? Do I pick and choose what part to obey and what part to disobey? Does God’s word apply only to my career and finances but not to my behavior? Am I a Christian only when it is convenient?
From the example of Christ Jesus, we see that taking God at His word is the only way to experience the destiny that God has for us.
In order to preserve the lives of those who listened to him; Paul declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27). Receiving and obeying the whole counsel of God is the only way to truly experience life and not perish.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I repent of every way I have taken away from or added to your word. From today, I choose to have the mind of Christ; Father help me to submit to your word at every point by your grace, no matter how difficult in Jesus name. Amen.