Follow the Recipe
By
Carolyn Hulliberger
“Do
not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the
commands of the LORD your God that I give you.”
Deuteronomy
4:2 (NIV)
I recently attended a
kitchen demonstration by an “Iron Chef” from the Food Network©. The recipe for each dish was handed
out to the audience beforehand. At the top of the main dish ingredients was
listed “2 tablespoons Ararat.” Now I know my way around a kitchen, but I’m by
no means a gourmet. The ingredient “ararat” is NOT in my food vocabulary. I was
determined to pay extra attention when this dish was put together so I would
know what I needed. The chef came out and eventually started working on the
entrée. No “ararat” appeared. One brave audience member finally asked,
“What’s ararat and when do you use it?” To which the chef replied, “I’ve never
heard of ararat - - what are you talking about?” Turns out the
ingredient listed doesn’t exist, and was an error made as files were exchanged
in cyberspace!
If I take a recipe from
an “Iron Chef” and add or subtract ingredients, it is no longer the chef’s
recipe, it’s my own concoction. The same thing applies with God’s Word. God
didn’t leave anything out when He inspired the writers of the Bible. He didn’t
“forget” parts of the recipe. In spiritual principles, we are supposed to
follow what is written...in the Bible, not our own ideas. Likewise, as His
followers, we aren’t supposed to ignore any “ingredients”…His instructions for
living His way. Adding or subtracting from the recipe might get you an
edible meal, but it won’t be the same dish that the Chef wanted you to make.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you
find yourself believing something about God but you don’t know why you believe
it? Look to His Word today to make sure it’s actually in the Bible.
If you’re not sure where to start, try www.biblegateway.com/topical for
a keyword search.
FURTHER READING:
Along
with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative,
serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior
high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.
