You Didn’t Say Not To
by Carey Scott
Remember when you were young and you were sent to the store for a particular item? When you got home with that item and some other goodies, you were challenged as to why you bought more than that one item. You answered; “You didn’t say not to”. This was met with a strong reprimand (and usually some physical reinforcement) and you soon learned that when you were given a specific command or task, you were to obey that one and only command.
Can you imagine the pharmacists adding some ingredients to your medicine and saying that your doctor did not say “not to” add this? Can you picture the response a soldier would get from his sergeant if he did something and replied that the sergeant did not say “not to”? What if you order a cake with red frosting from the bakery, and it arrives with red, white, and blue frosting? Would you accept an answer from the baker that you didn’t say “not to” add the blue and white frosting?
Such explanations are not likely to be tolerated anywhere in most any circumstance. But why do people do things religiously and use this same excuse? They do something and when questioned, they reply something like: “Well, the Bible doesn’t say NOT to do this” This lame excuse is not tolerated in our world, so why should we expect God to tolerate such a lame excuse? God has told us what to do and how to do it in the words of the Bible. Doing something that is not authorized or written in the Bible is the same as adding to the word, and the addition of God’s word is a sin that deserves punishment. Sometimes God has spoken and we just neglect to do it or we determine for ourselves that it is not necessary. Deuteronomy 4:2 reads: “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you”
Why not just follow the Bible and stop using lame excuses in your spiritual
journey? Let us help you.
You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 8:37). You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3) you must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and you must be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then you must remain faithful and continue learning (II Peter 3:18). Let us help you on your spiritual journey. May God bless you in your study of His word.
