The Purity of God’s Word

“Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” Proverbs 30:6
“You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.” Matthew 22:29

When our Lord Jesus Christ walked the dusty roads of Israel, His most vigorous opposition came not from sinners or Gentiles, but from the religious elite—the Pharisees and the Sadducees. These two groups were deeply entrenched in their systems, yet both had gone astray in distinct ways.
The Pharisees had elevated human tradition to the level of the scripture. Over time, their additions which Jesus called “the tradition of the elders” (Mark 7:3) had became burdensome rules that overshadowed God’s Word. Jesus rebuked them, saying: “You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down” Mark 7:13. At this point you might say they were obeying Gid’s instruction in Deuteronomy. Well, Christ didn’t think they were.
On the other side were the Sadducees, who rejected the supernatural aspects of the scripture. “The Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits” Acts 23:8. They accepted only the first five books of Moses, cutting away vital truths God had revealed.
Jesus did not fit into either mould. His authority was from the Father, and He lived in perfect alignment with the Word of God. Thus, He became a threat to both camps—and their suspicion soon turned into a deadly hostility.

The sad truth is that modern Christianity is repeating these same errors. Many churches have added layers of man-made tradition—programmes, rituals, and hierarchies that often stifle the living, functional Headship of Christ. Simultaneously, much of what defined the vibrant, Spirit-led life of the first-century church has been stripped away: open gatherings, mutual edification, and spirit-directed worship.
The bible gives us a clear pattern. Jesus Christ is not just our Saviour; He is our model for life and the source of the church’s structure. Paul wrote “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 11:1. The early church, though imperfect, walked closely with Jesus and reflected His presence among them.
The church is called the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), because it is meant to be His life expressed on earth. If we add to His Word or subtract from it, we distort that expression. The points are:
 
• Have I allowed human traditions or religious routines to overshadow the voice of Christ in my life?
• Are there any biblical practices—like simple fellowship, shared participation, or reliance on the Spirit—that I’ve ignored or dismissed?
• Am I willing to follow Jesus even if it means stepping outside the comfort zone of institutional norms?
 
Lord Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Forgive us for when we’ve added to your Word or taken away from it. Teach us to walk in the simplicity and power of your design for the church. May we follow your example wholeheartedly, not clinging to tradition or dismissing truth, but honouring your Word in all things. Amen.

Kay Alli