Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.
The word of God is not subject to the changes we so often see legislatures making in our day in response to changes in culture and demographics. When folks clamor for change, based upon personal opinions or preferences, politicians often respond by giving the people what they desire, even though they may not be convinced about the morality of such moves, but because it may be politically expedient to do so.
Thus, amendments and changes are often made not because of principle, but because of those societal pressures which goad lawmakers to change from a right course to wrong, for fear of retribution at the ballot box. Whenever there’s an insatiable desire to cling to power, politicians would often do any, and everything just to retain their standing among the people.
This is what caused Pilate to put Christ to death on Calvary, even though there was no valid accusation against him, and even though he himself was very convinced that a deep-laid plot had been made by the religious leaders who hated Christ. Thus, Pilate violated his own conscience, went against his grain, held his nose and gave the multitude what they had clamored for, even though he knew it was wrong.
God will have us understand that He will not ever be pressured into making changes in His law, just because the popular majorities may clamor for it. Instead, God bids us observe and do everything He has instructed and commanded us to, because the principles of His kingdom never change with the passage of time.
Living by the word of God alone, means bringing all suggestions, all philosophies, all personal opinions, every private interpretation, every preference, and bias and every cultural practice, to be first checked by the Bible. For the Christian if the aforementioned pass the smell test of God’s word, fine, but if not, it must be rejected and thrown out the window.
Thus, living by the word of God, means to have the scriptures in preeminence when evaluating ideas or when making decisions to act. But when persons begin to make changes, additions and amendments which God did not authorize, then we place opinion over truth, and that mode of thought and action will cascade downhill, until we make void His law. Let’s read:
Psalms 119:126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.
Case in point is how as a country, we have allowed societal pressures to do violence to the institution of marriage which God had originally set as the gold standard in Eden for all future generations. Back in those days it was one man for one female woman, and for many years that model was embraced and practiced here in this country.
But gradually, there was a clamor for changes, and the groundswell became so great, and the pressure so intense that the legislature capitulated, and gave the people what the majority clamored for. Some of the legislature were not convinced in their heart of hearts, but because the pressure was mounting on all sides, and because Rome approved it, God’s law on marriage was eventually thrown out.
According to the dictionary, an amendment to the constitution is a change, or an addition designed to improve a text, or a piece of legislation. But, once we start down that path it then becomes a slippery slope, being subjected to the winds of change and societal pressures, that blow in different directions.
Therefore, on June 26, 2013 the Supreme Court of the United States issued its final decision in United States v. Windsor, then ruling that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional on equal protection grounds.
The Court ruled that DOMA, which excludes a same-sex partner from the definition of “spouse”, as that term is used in federal statutes, is unconstitutional, as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. That ruling occurred on June 26, 2013.
But, because the diabolical enemy of God and man often employs the proven principle of gradualism in the implementation of his schemes, it would be just a matter of time before societal pressures pushed the envelope even further.
And on June, 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the 14th Amendment to the constitution requires states to license marriages between two people of the same sex, and also to recognize a marriage between two people of the same sex when their marriage was lawfully licensed and performed out-of-State, thus legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States.
The problem is that from that time to now, many other variations, designations, and identities have emerged, in so much that some are now identifying themselves in the plural such as “They” and others as being non-binary among other identities.
Gender-queer people typically reject any notion of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and sexual orientation. People who identify as "gender-queer" often see themselves as being both male and female, neither male or female, or as falling completely outside these categories.
Thus, it is just a matter of time before the Supreme court will have to go back to the drawing board, and alter that which has been already amended to cater for the ever emerging clamors of society, which are in direct opposition to God’s written word. And for this reason, we must now explain in graphic detail, what it really means to live by every word of God in our day.
But before we do so, we must let the Bible speak for itself concerning the issues of change, for millennia, culture, lobbying, Bitcoin, or even popular demand can never alter what God has spoken, in any way, form or fashion.
To put it plainly, The God of heaven would never accept gay marriage, alternative lifestyles, or any other substitute day of rest, no matter who or what may clamor for change. Let’s read:
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing so-ever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Psalms 119:89 Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
2nd Peter 1:19 We have also a more-sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The following therefore are some examples of how we are to live by the word of God alone, especially when the winds of unwarranted change are blowing in the opposite direction. It will not be easy, and we may face economic and social media boycotts, but if we desire to live in harmony with “It is written” all other considerations and pressures must be borne down and made subject to the word.
In the days of Nehemiah, there was a great need of reformation because the people of God had strayed very far from His ideal. God’s instructions, His laws, His statutes, and His principles were being violated in high and low places, and thus, when Nehemiah was raised up to bring the people back from their national apostasy, certain critically important areas needed to be addressed.
[1] The issue of ungodly influences.
Nehemiah 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God forever.
2 Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3 Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
23 In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab.
Over a period of time, many idolaters seeped into the congregation, bringing their pagan influences with them, and even though the gospel is given to all people, and should be made applicable to every person, yet, as a general rule of thumb, those who are only half-converted to the truth will inevitably end up exerting a gravitational pull on others.
Through intermarriage with the ammonites and the Moabites, unscriptural practices began to take root, for wherever two persons of different persuasions unite in marriage, there would be compromise on principle on some level, some more, some less.
Those influences will be manifest in their offspring too, who in most instances are exposed to dueling concepts of right and wrong. Children of secular folk are in many instances trained differently than those who are brought up in god-fearing homes and if two individuals from entirely different backgrounds are united in marriage, these differences will begin to appear sooner or later.
Therefore, any proliferation of such influences will ultimately put increasing downward pressure on the righteousness that is stipulated in God’s word, and there would be a gradual watering down of those truths that are essential to the soul.
A person’s faith determines what they will do, and if erroneous concepts and philosophies are co-mingled with truth, the dire effects will be seen in practice. If one lives by the word of God, that mode of thought and action will conflict with secular perspectives for one savors of faith, while the other is controlled by humanistic philosophies and views.
Thus, Nehemiah was moved by God to remove the ungodly influences that were causing His people to countenance and practice things that are contrary to sound doctrine. Similarly, in our day, the issue of influence must be addressed, because over a period of time, many pagan influences have been gradually entering the church.
And because so many have been baptized into the church without proper prior indoctrination, truth has fallen in the street, and pagan practices and its philosophies have been countenanced for years, in so much that if one was to raise these issues, there would be tremendous push-back from those who do not live by the word of God alone.
For instance tattoos have become quite fashionable in Christian circles, whereas in times past this never used to be the case. Not only is it forbidden in the Bible but it is of pagan origin and even though it has become the norm for the most part in society, yet it in an unscriptural practice and God calls on persons to utterly reject it as such.
According to Google, the practice of tattooing came from pagans and was used to appease false gods, to ward off demonic forces, and for a plethora of other reasons, too many to mention. In our day currently, it has been adopted by gangs, by models, by those in the sporting industry, and by many Christians.
But just because it has become popular does not mean that we should ever adopt or countenance it, because living by the word alone, would move us to signally reject any and everything that isn’t Biblically sound. Getting a tattoo of Christ on the cross does not make it acceptable either, for what He prohibits in His word, remains as such. Let’s read:
1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.
Persons who have been previously tattooed may in some cases be able to remove them after baptism, but in other cases, persons may be scarred for life. Jesus accepts us as we are, but He doesn’t leave us where we are, and therefore, wherever it’s possible, those who desire to live by the word of God alone can, and should make the necessary changes.
[2] Proper Sabbath Keeping.
Nehemiah 13:15 In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.
16 There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and some of my servants set I at the gates, that there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day.
20 So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I testified against them and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.
Many persons among the remnant are now keeping the Sabbath like persons keep Sunday, because the views, and perspectives held by the majority in the Christian world as it pertains to Sunday have indeed invaded our minds and practice.
Many Christians who observe Sunday would attend church service in the morning but in the afternoon, many go to movies, games or do secular work. Thus, Sunday keeping for many persons consists of part church service and part secular activity. That model has also been adopted by some in our churches, for they attend services in the morning, but are missing in action in the evening.
But here’s just a gentle reminder that it’s the entire Sabbath day that is holy, and all secular works and activities should be suspended during the sacred hours. If some churches remain closed because of the pandemic, individual church members can, and should do some missionary work in their neck of the woods.
Some can offer to study the Bible with neighbors or friends, others can distribute religious material to the public, some can do street evangelism with a bull horn, while others can visit the sick and shut in. But whatever is done, secular activities on Sabbath afternoon is nowhere to be found in the scriptures.
When He was on earth, a typical Sabbath day for Jesus would begin with regular, in-person church services in the morning, where He would attend and sometimes preach in the synagogue. Then, He would turn His attention to ministry, where the sick would be healed, or He would pay a visit to some place where the gospel needed to be disseminated.
There was also time for personal prayer and praise which, coupled together with corporate worship, rounded out a typical Sabbath for Christ. But there was nothing on His agenda that savored of secular work or any self-serving interest, which in too many cases have become the norm in our day. Let’s read:
Luke 4:15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down.
31 And He came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.
32 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
38 And he arose out of the synagogue and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her.
39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.
40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
Thus, a typical Sabbath day for Christ consisted of good deeds, preaching, teaching, ministering, and healing the sick and suffering. But nowhere do we find Him sitting at home with popcorn, watching some secular movie, or doing anything that would minister to self.
Regularly using the Sabbath day as a time to catch up on much needed sleep is indeed a violation of the fourth commandment because the “rest” which God originally intended over the sabbath hours had never focused on sleep. Instead, it was a time when the relationship between man and His maker was to be nurtured, encouraged, and solidified.
Thus, the restorers of the breach will need to begin the work of restoration in their own homes. We will need to evaluate our concepts of proper Sabbath keeping, to ensure that they are in line with what is written. Self-serving in any form must be put away, and ministering to the needs of fallen humanity is to be front and center of all proper Sabbath keeping, wherever possible. Let’s read:
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
Let us then step up to the plate and do what has for too long been neglected. The volatile situations that are occurring across the globe, the devastation from the current virus, and the utter intransigence that has gripped politicians, tell us that we are living on borrowed time.
In addition to this the final conflict between the law of God and the commandments of men looms large on the horizon, and it won’t be long before we will have to take a definite stand, either for truth or for error.
Thus, it is incumbent upon the remnant people of God to implement those much needed reforms, just as it was in the days of Nehemiah, for it’s not what we say, but what we do that will matter in the long run. We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will encourage us to make all necessary change where warranted, for God is now calling all persons to repentance. Let’s read:
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
God Bless!