Slowly, but surely, we are building our case for complete respect for God based on what He has told us in His word. His Divine character is absolute and without danger of being ruined. We are in the process now of emphasizing His word, which is an extension of His holy character. Our thinking has been thus: if we respect God, surely we'll respect what He says to us in His word. This, in turn, allows that for which Jesus prayed and His apostles exhorted... true unity (Jn. 17:21; 1 Cor. 1:10-13).
To help bolster our respect for His word and its authority, God has placed numerous warnings in the Bible about how man should respond to it, and the consequences that accompany inappropriate responses to it. Unless we're totally asleep, there should be no misunderstanding about this issue.
We are obligated to "handle His word accurately" (2 Tim. 2:15). Some translations state "rightly divide the word of truth." This means we must never misuse the text, making it say or mean things He never would approve of. We don't like to be "misquoted" or misconstrued...why would God? We are also instructed to not just "hear" what He says, but to also "do" it (Jas. 1:22; cp. Mt. 7:24-27). Just listening is polite; doing what He says shows respect and obedience.
Now, the warnings...
We must never add what we think is missing, nor remove what we think is not needed (Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18-19). It is not our word to change. We must never preach anything else other than what the Lord's word says (Gal. 1:6-9). So serious is this warning that even if one of heaven's angels did so, he would fall under the Divine curse. We must always "abide in the doctrine of Christ" (2 Jn 9-11). To "transgress" is to "spiritually trespass" outside the borders set by the Lord. He expects us to stay "on His property." Violating this warning is to be without God.
"Forever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven" (Psa. 119:89). His covenant with us today is established, and we have no right to change it (Gal. 3:15). He has spoken...we must listen.
