Jesus answered them and said, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures or the power of God”.

Matthew 22:29

Rudyard Kipling (of The Jungle Book fame) once said, “God couldn’t be everywhere, so he invented mothers.”

I recently saw that quote on a church sign, presumably for Mother’s Day. It’s a nice thought, a wonderful tribute to mothers, but it is such bad theology.  Sometimes I wonder if in our “sound bite” culture we accept compromise at the expense of truth.

Yes, it’s a nice little saying and it fits on even the smallest sign and it tugs at your heartstrings. But if it is true, it negates one of the foundational characteristics of God: omnipresence. That He is everywhere, all the time. It diminishes God, or at the very least devalues, His “God-ness”. And it contradicts the Bible in a number of places.

Joshua Be strong and be courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Deuteronomy Be strong and courageous. Do not fear, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Psalm You set me in your presence forever.

Zephaniah The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save.

Matthew And behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.

As Christians, we need to be careful with scripture. We are called not to “add to or take away from” the Word of God. And that includes changing it just a little bit to get the Bible to say what you want it to say so you can get a good quote for the sign. Compromising, watering down, proof texting – we can do none of that when it comes to the Bible because in this case, the ends NEVER justify the means.

I can vividly remember one of my Bible professors in seminary teaching us, “Don’t speak into the Bible – let it speak into you”. That’s good advice. Take God at His Word, and don’t change that Word, for it is life and salvation to all who believe.

“Father, Help us to always honor You by keeping Your Word. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Grace,

Rev. Dan