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April 21 Let Me Make This Perfectly Clear!

Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. ~Proverbs 30:5-6

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.  ~Revelation 22:18-19

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and Spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12

All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ~2 Timothy 3:16-17

You may remember Richard Nixon being famously emphatic when he said, “Let me make this perfectly clear!” Of course, we know now that what he really wanted clear was his name, and it didn’t work. He wasn’t really being transparent at all but was guilty of a cover up. So unlike our God!

Here we have one Proverb and three New Testament passages all about how seriously God takes his Word, and how carefully he protects it from corruption! “Every word of God is flawless.” No human can add or subtract anything that could possibly make it better. It is already best. So, don’t try to change it in any way! Don’t you dare, or there will be consequences! Only read it faithfully and let it do its work in you.

The Word of God is the source of the Truth that sets us free! You may run into a fortress as a refuge to escape an enemy and then you will be free from that enemy’s attack. You can also hold up a shield of God’s Truth to preserve your freedom from deception and lies.

God’s Word and God’s message of love is alive by the Spirit. It is very penetrating, more effective than a beam of light in a dark room. It can see what is wrong with anything and show the way to fix it, or correct it. The light of God’s Word is profitable for teaching, that is, telling you things you didn’t know before. It is profitable for rebuking, that is, telling you that you didn’t repeat back correctly the new information you got from God. It is also profitable for correcting, that is, pointing out where you got it wrong and setting you straight.

You see the procedure in the order of those words? It’s just like school. First the teaching lecture. Then the test. Then the test is scored for accuracy and errors are rebuked. Then the teacher makes comments that reteach the parts you missed and offers correction. Teaching, rebuking correcting in that order and all for training in righteousness. That’s how God goes about it. No drop-outs allowed. You are a disciple for life. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Prayer: Father thank You, for truer words were never spoken. What a gift You give to us to help us understand the world in which we live, and help us respond to Your love so that we have eternal life! So Precious! Help me learn every day and get it right more and more. And help me to share it faithfully with those who are just starting to learn the Truth about their sin and your forgiveness. In Jesus' name, amen.

Song: Ancient Words

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