Poluting the Gospel
By Jim Murriner
Exodus 20:25
"If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."
God'S altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it.
Eph. 2:8 - 10
8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Titus 3:5
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
Romans 3:20
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.”
Gal. 2:16
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
2Tim. 1:9
“Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature;
We have those today who have a little system that is designed to cause a lost sinner to be saved. Romans Rd, Evangelistic explosion are two such systems.
1Cor. 2:1
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.”
1Cor. 2:4
“And my speech and my preaching [was] not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:”
Instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all.
Gal. 2:21
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Gal. 1: 6 - 9
6 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:”
7 “Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.”
8 “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
9 “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilement and pollution.
We need not shape the rocks for the alter, and we need not change the Word of God.
Rev. 22:19
“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
New Bible versions, and also those who preach a Christ with no power or Glory.
2Tim. 3:5
2Ti 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar.
Mt. 7:21 – 22
21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
22 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”
It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Savior's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it.
Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured.
Acts 4:12
Ac 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Ps. 37:39
“ But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.”
