Thought for Thursday
For we are not as many, which corrupt the Word of God, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:17
If we turn to 1 Peter 1:23, we will see that the Word of God is incorruptible. How then can it be possible for anyone to corrupt it? The truth is, they can’t, although many make the attempt. We are aware of the cults that seek to distort Scripture, even creating their own perversions of it. Even some that would not be called cults have produced their paraphrase versions that express Scripture in words of their own choosing. There are deep arguments among Biblical scholars over which manuscripts are authentic and which are corrupted. These are important issues, because the Bible is the Word of God, and we need to make sure that it is correct. Any corruption cannot be the Word of God.
One of the greatest responsibilities of the oversight of an Assembly is to make sure the Word of God is not corrupted. These men watch to make sure that all those who speak in ministry, who preach the Gospel, even those who comment and ask questions during the Bible readings, do not depart from the truth of Scripture. This faithful guarding of the Word has been a wonderful preservative over the years. As denominations around us have slid and stumbled into modernism and neo evangelicalism, into the ‘whatever brings in the crowd’ approach to conducting services, we have been able to resist these trends. For now. But for how long?
Our text tells us how to make sure we do not corrupt the Word of God, how to remain faithful to its teachings and truth, how to guarantee that the next generation of Assembly members receive from us the full benefit of those things that are most surely believed among us. The little expression ‘in the sight of God’ is so important. As we read, unfold, and study Scripture, we must seek to do so with the knowledge that God is with us and is watching over us. He sees whether we are sincere in our desire and attempt to maintain the truth. Being mindful that we are in his sight will keep us honest with the Word. The many spoken of in this text have ulterior motives. For some, it is money. By distorting Scripture, they can sell books or gain attention to themselves so they can reap the financial benefits. For others, it is power; they can control those around them by their presumed superior knowledge. For yet others, it is the advancement of a cult or other false cause that denies Christ and distorts His Gospel.
Every time we open the Book, let us be aware of the God into Whose presence we have entered. His Word is holy; we dare not seek to corrupt it. -Jim MacIntosh