Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you. (Deuteronomy 4:2, NIV 1984).
My Musings – “I keep a close watch on this heart of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds. Because you’re mine, I walk the line.” (Johnny Cash).
There’s a line that runs throughout Scripture that never deviates. A line that points to God, His laws and His Son. The “tie that binds.” Only by walking that line will we find Him. Anything off that line, is “no gospel at all.” (Galatians 1:7, NIV 1984).
Once we find Him and can say He is mine (and I am His), we must continue to walk the line. We must not add to it, that would be legalism. We must not subtract from it, that would be liberalism. We all, on occasion, “have wandered from the faith [the line] and pierced [ourselves] with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV 1984).
But, “how can [we] keep [our] way pure? By living according to your word.” (Psalm 119:9, NIV 1984). By observation of the Word(what do I see?), interpretation of the Word (what does the text mean?), and application of the Word (how does that work for me?). Remembering at all times that context matters (both immediate passage and how it fits into the Scripture as a whole) and that Scripture interprets Scripture (comparison of different texts).
My Advice – Are you walking the line? Staying on the line? You need to get there and stay here. See below for more details.
The Brew Is A Musing 