Adding and Taking Away

Yesterday there were several posts on Facebook about the bottled water recall from a plant in Pennsylvania.  The story was about several brands of bottled water from the Niagara company, listing many different brands of water; however, on some of the posts, there was a picture showing a lot of different brands of bottled waters.  In fact, the brands were more common in our area than the ones that were mentioned.  Of course, just as any food recall goes, people were alarmed, and rightfully so.  But, the problem was that many didn't read the brands or didn't read the whole story, or maybe even didn't read the story at all - just simply say the picture and shared. I've been guilty of doing the same thing in the past!

This "adding and taking away" from the story got me to thinking about the Bible.  It seems that there is a lot of "adding and taking away" going on in the world.  It was expected by God because He even warns of this problem in Revelation:

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Revelation 22:18-19

Most people would never add or take away from scripture on purpose, yet many do add and take away in the same way that bottled water post was shared.  Things are said or assumed and it's taken at its word - from whomever says it or posts it - without checking it out in the Bible.  It's shared online.  It's repeated over and over until it is known as truth.  Rules are made that aren't scriptural.  Laws are made that shouldn't be made and bound upon people as truth.  But in reality, the truth is neglected because men and women take it upon themselves to go above or beyond what scripture says.  And because of that God's Word is left, waiting for someone to point out the truth.  And then in some cases, people know they are adding or taking away from the Bible, yet justify their actions.

It all comes down to this:  We will each give an account of ourselves to God one day.  

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:12 (specifically talking about judging others in regards to spiritual weakness and strength among brothers and sisters in Christ)

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-13

So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Judgement Day will be a day that all of the adding and taking away will come to light.  We will each have to answer for what we do and don't do whether we are one of His children or not.  For the unforgiven sinner, there is no hope at that point, but for the Christian, we have hope - the hope to live with Him in eternity.  

So it matters how we live. It matters what we do.  It matters what we add and take away from God's Word.  We must search the scriptures diligently to make sure we are living and teaching and telling truth...the truth that is only found in His Word.  The Bible is the ONLY source of what is true and right.