One Change at a Time
February 17, 2008
by Harry Osborne

Would we notice how much things changed in our hometown if we saw it after being away for 20, 30 or 40 years? The contrast is striking because we did not watch the changes take place one at a time, but saw the cumulative effect of all the little changes at once. We look at the house we lived in as a child and know it is the same house, but it looks entirely different. Why? If we would have seen each change from the paint color and different plants to the addition out back as they happened over years, it would not be as noticeable, but the full effect of seeing the whole collection of changes is startling. When we see a theater once filled with kids for a Saturday matinee, now abandoned and decaying, we are shocked by the sudden change. But the man who has passed the theater every day on his way to work is not shocked. Why? Because he saw the changes one at a time. The difficulty for that man is not in accepting the present state, but in remembering what it was like 30 or 40 years ago. Whether the change is good or bad, an improvement or a disaster, it happens step by step as little changes mount up into a vastly different appearance over time.

The same principle can be seen when we look over time at nations, businesses, individuals and churches. If we are past youth or even nearing the end of youth, we have seen many changes in our nation over our lifetime. We have seen businesses change for the better and the worse. We have seen various changes in individuals: thin to heavy or heavy to thin, happy to sad or sad to happy, rags to riches or the reverse. The writer of Ecclesiastes noted such changes as part of the "vanity" of "life under the sun." But the changes go beyond just the physical realm. Some who were once faithful have fallen into the devil's snare through sin and error (2 Tim. 2:25-26; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; etc.). Some who were lost and without hope in sin have obeyed the Lord and now know the joys of forgiveness as well as the abundance of blessings found in Christ (Acts 8:4-13, 35-39; 16:25-34; Eph. 1:3-14; etc.). Collective assemblies of God's people also change over time as is evident when we contrast the beginning view of various churches in the book of Acts with later views found in the epistles or in the letters to the seven churches (Rev. 2-3). Even in our time, if we honestly compare what we see and hear in congregations today with what we saw and heard 20, 30 or 40 years ago, we must admit that the changes are striking in many places. While some may be for the better, we must admit that many have trended towards digression from the original standard of God's truth.

When change occurs in any realm, the final product will not just be changed in one point. A change in one area will affect other areas and will lead to changes in them as well. That process continues and spreads in its effect.

It works the same way in religion. If a person wants the will of God changed a little, he will find someone who will teach it according to his desires (cf. 2 Tim. 4:3-4; 1 Tim. 4:1-5). The modern assortment of denominations proves one thing --many religious groups change God's message to meet the desires of people. It may be justified as a "different interpretation" or a "translation of the same message into modern concepts," but honesty demands we admit the bottom line -- the message of God has been changed. There are some denominational groups that condone homosexual practices, premarital sex, and polygamy as permissible. One so-called church even espouses atheism!

Religious change in teaching and practice is not limited to the denominational world. Over a century ago, brethren changed the authorized worship in song by adding instrumental music. Brethren have changed God's organization by attempting to centralize local, autonomous congregations through missionary societies, sponsoring churches or other institutional ties. Changes in the spiritual work of the church have been made by adding kitchens, gymnasiums, ball teams and social programs of every kind. Some have sought a change from the preaching and teaching of the word by adding puppet shows, dramatic plays and watching movies or TV programs. Even closer to home, some have changed the simplicity and purity of the message preached to be more tolerant of popular doctrinal errors of the day. As with all change, the changes found in the religious world tend to be pandemic.

The word of God constitutes a pattern for us to follow without change. We are commanded, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13). Obedience to God demands following that pattern precisely.
How does God view the altering of His will? The Bible is very plain on the subject, so let us listen to God speak in clear terms on the subject:

Deuteronomy 4:2 -"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." That is not hard to understand, is it?

Deuteronomy 12:32 -"Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." There is no difficulty in understanding that either.

Proverbs 30:6 -"Do not add to His words, lest He reprove you, and you be found a liar." Let that point sink in deeply. When we change God's message, it has serious consequences on us. God's Word remains true, but we become liars -- misrepresenting His truth.

Galatians 1:8-9 -"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." If neither angels nor apostles have the right to change God's will, we surely do not. Though Joseph Smith may have ignored this passage, any Bible believer can understand it.

2 John 9-11 - "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds." The "doctrine" or teaching which has Christ as its source was given to and preached by the apostles (John 14:24-26; 16:12-15; 17:8,14,18). John, an apostle, says that the one who changes that teaching does not have God or Christ and is guilty of "evil deeds." He also warns others not to follow such changes, but abide within the original and unaltered doctrine of Christ.

Revelation 22:18-19 -"For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." This final warning not to change any revealed truth was among the last words given by inspiration of God.

God's statements are plain. His message is not to be changed either by adding to or subtracting from its content! One thing added is one thing too many. One thing subtracted is one thing too few. There is no such thing as a "safe change" whether it be by addition or subtraction to the divine standard.

My mind is repeatedly brought back to that point when I see cases like the Quail Springs congregation adding instrumental worship or preachers that formerly taught the truth, but now are in the denominations. Some digression begins by what some see as a minute loosing of God's pattern. Some apostasy begins from what some might deem an insignificant addition to God's pattern. Whether the change be by addition or subtraction to God's will, regardless of our perception of the magnitude of the change, it is a change and it stands condemned by God. A change by addition merely makes a change by subtraction easier in time -- and vice versa. Through the years, I have seen both types of departure and I have grieved over those led astray. Watch out! Today's reactionary "binders" are tomorrow's "loosing" radicals. The only "safe" course is to abide within the doctrine of Christ.

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