In orbiting the Sun, the Earth deviates from a straight line by only one-ninth of an inch every eighteen miles. That’s a pretty straight line when compared to human standards. But, according to the Science Digest, if that line deviated by one-tenth of an inch rather than one-ninth, our orbit would be vastly larger and we would all freeze to death. On the other hand, if our orbit deviated only one-eighth of an inch every eighteen miles, we would all be incinerated. Just a little deviation makes a lot of difference.
A little also makes a lot of difference in how we apply the teachings of God’s word. Satan’s success in leading Adam and Eve into transgression involved the addition of only one little word. God said they would surely die if they ate “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:17). The serpent changed very little from God’s command, simply saying, “You surely shall not die!” (Gen. 3:4). One false word, when believed and acted upon, brought death into our world (Rm. 5:12). Some might discount the importance of doctrinal accuracy, but John forever settled the question in the last warning of the Bible when he said that we can neither add to nor take away from the word of God (Rev. 22:18-19). Paul told Timothy, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching…” (1 Tim. 4:16). The writer of Hebrews told his readers to “pay much closer attention” to the message they had received, lest they should “drift away from it” (Heb. 2:1). No apologies need to the offered for insisting upon a “thus saith the Lord” in matters of faith and practice. A little departure today can make a huge difference tomorrow.
— Glen Elliott —