You Have Let Go

“You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:8, NIV 1984).

My Musings – God has not changed, nor has His Word.

God – “‘I the Lord do not change…. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:6–7, NIV 1984).

His Word – “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17–18, NIV 1984)

My Advice – Yet, “[we] have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe [our] own traditions!” (Mark 7:9, NIV 1984). Rather than submit to God’s grace, we would much rather reinterpret or set aside portions of Scripture to make God more “likable” and His Word more “achievable.” So, we, like Saul, can claim, “I have carried out the Lord’s instructions. I did obey the Lord.” (1 Samuel 15:13, 20, NIV 1984).

But in the end, we will be “judged according to what [we have] done as recorded in the books.” (Revelation 20:12, NIV 1984). What books?

His Word – Measured against our success in completely living up to the unaltered or set aside Holy Scriptures. “No one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” (Romans 3:20, NIV 1984).

The Book of Life – Measured against our response to God’s grace through the death of His Son on the cross, who did completely live up toto the unaltered or set aside Holy Scriptures. “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:14–15, NIV 1984).

Whatever claim we would make on meeting God’s Word, would have no more effect than the “bleating of sheep [or the] lowing of cattle in God’s ear.” (1 Samuel 15:14, NIV 1984). That is why we must make sure our name is “found written in the Book of Life.”