[381 words]
All through the Bible, we see an important principle revealed: we are not to change what God has authorized.
In Leviticus 10, Nadab and Abihu, priests of God, offered a kind of fire for the burning of incense that God had not authorized (v.1). As a result, God struck them dead (v.2-3).
In 2 Chronicles 26, King Uzziah, who was doing his best to follow God’s ways (v.1-15), decided one day to do something God had not authorized. He entered the temple to burn incense before the Lord even though only priests were authorized to do so (v.16-18). Consequently, God punished him with leprosy which remained with him the rest of his life (v.19-21).
In Matthew 15, the Pharisees insisted on a certain hand washing procedure as a part of worship which God had not authorized (v.1-6). Because of this, Jesus informed them, through a prophecy of Isaiah, that their worship was not accepted by God (v.8-9).
In 2 Timothy 4, Paul reminds Timothy that he needed to keep teaching the truth because there would be those who would not follow God’s authorized ways and fall prey to false doctrine (v.1-4; see also 1 Timothy 4:1-3). The context of the passages are that they are endangering their souls by disobeying God.
On and on we could go, but I think you get the idea. God desires us to follow His authorized pattern—for salvation, for life, for worship, for everything we do. It’s serious business with Him, and it needs to be just as serious with us. For us today, He has given us the New Testament Scriptures for all instructions in life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
So here’s the principle to remember: Actions without authorization are dangerous. We jeopardize our lives, souls, and our relationship with God when we stray away from His authorized instructions. Many people conduct their lives (physical and spiritual) based upon what they feel or what is popular in society. In using these as barometers for approval of God, they place themselves on very thin ice. Why not just look to the Word of God for approved actions and stick with them, knowing that we will please our Father in heaven in by so doing?
Edd Sterchi
Broadway Church of Christ
Campbellsville, KY