Polluted Gospel - Exodus 20:25

[dgbygrace]

Morning: Polluted Gospel

"If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."

--Exodus 20:25

God'S altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. 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; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all.

All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and pollutions. 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.

It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. 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. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in Him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning's text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.


C.H. Spurgeon

[Adullam]

This lines up with the modern use of what we can call "technique." Technology is seen as good, and it can be somewhat innocuous if one is very careful that technique doesn't overshadow all else.

Modern society and it's values have infiltrated the church largely without question. It isn't the technology itself that corupts but the relliance on technique. How many "how to" books are out there? Men seek to short-circuit God in order to pursue perfection in their own way. "We can do it" is the battle cry!

"The nature of technique is one of universal leveling of human needs and desires...replacing these real needs with false ones. A society of dumbed-down consumers is absolutely essential to the technological society which must contain predictable demographics in order to ensure the necessary financial return. The only thing that matters technically is yield (numbers) PRODUCTION...this is the law of technique! This yield can only be obtained by the total mobilization of the human materiel and the exploitation of all human capabilities. (Paraphrased from Jacques Ellul)

[dgbygrace]

Yes, that certainly does fit.  We lived in California for a few years and they had a lot of the "mega-churches"  These were completely run as a business and "numbers" were the bottom line.

[Adullam]

Yes, that certainly does fit.  We lived in California for a few years and they had a lot of the "mega-churches"  These were completely run as a business and "numbers" were the bottom line.

In the gospels we see how Christ is not concerned whatsoever with numbers. Modern churches have ignored their supposed Master. Jesus was surprised when even one person "got it." It is typical that mankind rushes in the opposite direction of the revelation of truth in Christ. It is amazing that so many "believers" join them.

We seem to be raising a generation of saved unbelievers! 

[cizz]

Okay, all of you should know me by now, I got this thing with words!  I looked up the word "Polluted"

Strong's H2490 - chalal

AV — begin 52, profane 36, pollute 23, defile 9, break 4, wounded 3, eat 2, slay 2, first 1, gather grapes 1, inheritance 1, began men 1, piped 1, players 1, prostitute 1, sorrow 1, stain 1, eat as common things 1

   http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H2490&t=KJV

to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin


How does 'begin' fit in with these other words? 

Gen 4:26   And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD. 

Exd 20:25   And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. 


Same word, I don't get it??  Sorry, didn't mean to get off topic! 

[dgbygrace]

You didn't get off topic  Topic is a 'food for thought'.

And now you got me stuck on those two words and verses...

[Adullam]

Human reasoning, human considerations, and human technique have largely obscured the true message of the gospel in our day. The true gospel is a scandal to men who like to think and act for themselves.

[dgbygrace]

Such truth there!! 

2 Timothy 4:3 (Amplified Bible)
3For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (Amplified Bible)
14But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,

    15For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:

    16To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?]