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Add Nothing: Subtract Nothing

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Samuel Smith
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ADD NOTHING: SUBTRACT NOTHING

"Howbeit IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:7; Emphasis Supplied).

ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). My dear Brother or Sister in Christ, three times we find this charge brought forward by our Lord against the Pharisees. "Laying aside the commandments of God, you hold the traditions of men" [Mark 7:8). "Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own traditions" (Mark 7:9). "Making the Word of God of none effect through your traditions" (Mark 7:13). The first step of the Pharisees, was to add their traditions to the Scriptures, as useful supplements. The second was to give them equal authority with the Word of God. The last was to honour them above the Scripture, and to degrade Scripture from its lawful position. This was the state of things which our Lord found when he was upon earth. Practically, the traditions of man were everything, and the Word of God was nothing at all. Obedience to the traditions was highly regarded. Obedience to the Scriptures was lightly regarded.

The very same process has taken place over and over again at this end of the world. The very same consequences have continually resulted. Religious observances of man's invention have been pressed on the Christian at this end of the world; observances which to all appearances are useful, and at all events well-meant, but OBSERVANCES NOWHERE COMMANDED IN THE WORD OF GOD! These very observances have by and by been obeyed with more vigour than God's own commandments, and defended with more zeal than the authority of God's own Word. Don’t look far for examples. Extra biblical festivals such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween are some of the man-made traditions that has been brought into the church of Christ.

Beware of adding anything to the Word of God, as necessary for salvation at this end of the world. It is as good as saying that THE BIBLE is not perfect, and that you know better than God does, what is necessary for man's salvation. It is just as easy to destroy the authority of God's Word by addition as by subtraction. It is just as easy to destroy the authority of God's Word by burying it under man's inventions as by denying its truth. THE WHOLE BIBLE, and nothing but the Bible, must be your rule of faith at this end of the world. ADD NOTHING. SUBTRACT NOTHING! He that hath ears to hear, let him hear (Matthew 11:15).

Paul Fonsi