BE LITERAL IN YOUR BELIEF!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “But Peter and John replied, ‘ Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than Him?’ ” Acts 4:19

TODAY’S MESSAGE: Just what does it mean when someone tells us that we should take the “literal meaning” of something? When that happens, we are to interpret our source at face value. We are not to construe any of the meanings that are put forward. When we read the bible, we are to take the Word from God in a straightforward manner. We are not to try to put any of our own interpretation into what God is telling us. We are not to assume that because much of what we read comes to us in a historical sense that it does not apply to us today. Every word and every thought that is in God’s Holy Word is true and for all generations. There are many promises that have been handed down throughout the bible and they are as enforceable today as they were the day they were handed down. There are many parables throughout the bible that are as real today as they we were the day they we originally told by Jesus. When we pick up God’s Word and begin to read, we are not just reading a history book. We are reading the LIVING Word of God. We are reading his thoughts, his promises and his words for us today and for generations to come. His word is true and honorable and never changes. Deuteronomy 4:2 tells us, “YOU SHALL NOT ADD TO THE WORD THAT I COMMAND YOU, NOR TAKE FROM IT, THAT YOU MAY KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD YOUR GOD THAT I COMMAND YOU.” Revelation 22:18-19 says, “FOR I TESTIFY TO EVERYONE WHO HEARS THESE WORDS OF THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK: IF ANYONE ADDS TO THEM, GOD WILL ADD TO HIM THE PLAGUES WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK; AND IF ANYONE TAKES AWAY FROM THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF THIS PROPHECY, GOD WILL TAKE AWAY HIS PART FROM THE TREE OF LIFE FROM THE HOLY CITY WHICH IS WRITEEN IN THIS BOOK.” For those throughout history who have done such things by taking away or adding to the Holy Word of God, their life’s existence is hanging the balance. We are to take God at his word. We are to not change it to fit into our world. We are to take our world and fit it into God’s ways. Just as Peter and John replied in Acts 4:19, “DO YOU THINK GOD WANTS US TO OBEY YOU RATHER THAN HIM? ” ALL GLORY TO GOD ON HIGH!