Do Not Add or Take Away
“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
Moses gave this strong instruction within the context of his pleading with the Israelites to remain faithful to God after they entered the land of Canaan. Essentially he was telling them to be faithful and diligent to keep exactly what God had commanded and taught them through His law. Obeying this command would lead to blessings and make them an example to other nations (Deuteronomy 4:6).
Jesus Christ reinforced this vital teaching throughout His ministry. He specifically taught that human beings were not to subtract from His law and Word (Matthew 5:17-19) or add unreasonable requirements that God never intended (Matthew 23:4; Mark 7:8-9, 13).
Jesus Christ taught His disciples to be diligent and faithful to God’s Word just as Moses taught the Israelites. Christ defined His people as those “who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21).
God is so serious about this that He inspired similar words to be recorded among the last words of the Bible in Revelation 22:18-19.
To learn more about the diligent faithfulness God wants us to have, visit the “10 Commandments and God’s Way of Life” section of Life, Hope & Truth.
