Read: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
I am always amazed at how up-to-date the Scriptures seem. You would think that Paul had just been listening to some Christian radio broadcasts or television programs when he wrote this. There were people in his day, preaching in churches and evangelising, who were practicing disgraceful, underhanded ways. They were relying on cunning approaches and even tampering with the Word of God. Paul was displeased with this.
Notice particularly what this consists of, because this speaks to our own time. First, he says, I have renounced secret and shameful ways, that is, the practice of deliberate deceit. Now and then a report appears about some evangelist who hires converts to stand up in his meetings and confess Christ or to come down front and give a testimony of being healed, to make the evangelist look like a success. That is deceitful. You read of Sunday Schools that bait and bribe people to come to church. I have met preachers who have phoney degrees, obtained for $100 or so, sent by some diploma mill somewhere. That is deceit. I know of missionaries who send reports home to their supporting churches about things that have no basis. They tell of things that never occurred, reporting achievements in the preaching of the Gospel that never really happened. I know of Christians who tell someone else’s experience as though it happened to them, and thus they lie in the name of Jesus.
But Paul says we do not rely on those kinds of things anymore. Nor do we tamper with God’s word. Can you imagine anybody in the name of Jesus tampering with God’s word? Yet it happens all the time. Peter speaks of those who twist the Scriptures. It is not difficult to do that. You can take a great biblical word and give it another meaning, and using the same language, talk about something else entirely: The word resurrection is disembowelled of its biblical content and made to mean something that it does not mean in the Bible. The word Christ is made to stand for a person or a being who does not exist in Scripture at all. Yet people who hear you use that kind of language are fooled. That is twisting the Word of God, and it happens all the time in our day. You find people who infer that the Bible is inferior to the discoveries of modern knowledge — present-day scientific discoveries have proved it wrong; therefore, it is not to be trusted. This is tampering with the Word of God because nothing in the Bible has ever been proved wrong by scientific discovery.
Prayer
Lord, grant me discernment to recognize the ways your Word is tampered with today. Help me to renounce such things. Amen.
VERSE OF THE MONTH
Colossians 1:16
“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”
There are four lessons we can draw from this verse:
1. The Sovereignty of Christ in Creation
The verse emphasises that all things were created “in him” and “through him.” This highlights the belief that Christ is not only a part of creation but is also its source and sustainer.
Lesson: Recognising Christ’s sovereignty encourages us to trust in His power and authority over our lives and the universe.
2. The Unity of creation
The mention of “things in Heaven and on Earth, visible and invisible” suggests a comprehensive view of creation that includes both the physical and spiritual realms.
Lesson: This teaches us about the interconnectedness of all aspects of life, urging us to appreciate both the tangible and intangible elements of our existence.
3. Purpose in creation
The phrase “for him” indicates that all creation has a purpose that is ultimately aligned with Christ’s will and glory.
Lesson: Understanding that we are created for a purpose can inspire us to seek alignment with divine intentions in our daily lives, fostering a sense of meaning and direction.
4. Recognition of the invisible
By acknowledging the “invisible,” the verse invites us to consider realities beyond our physical perception, including spiritual truths and forces.
Lesson: This encourages a broader perspective on life, prompting us to be aware of spiritual dimensions and their impact on our reality, fostering a deeper faith.
Colossians 1:16 serves as a powerful reminder of Christ’s central role in creation, urging us to recognise His sovereignty, purpose, and authority over all things. By reflecting on these lessons, we can deepen our understanding of our relationship with God and our responsibilities within His creation.