The church of Pergamos had a problem with some who held the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put stumbling blocks before the children of Israel. As believers we are to speak the truth of God’s word and not make up our own rules. The pharisees and sadducees made up a lot of their own rules which became stumbling blocks for God’s people. There are still those who would tell believers if you don’t do this or that you are not a christian, yet these things can often be for the benefit of the one who is using them for ill purposes and are not in God’s word. You will know them by their fruit.
Matthew 18:6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
God’s word is plain. We as gentiles, that is non Jews may have trouble understanding some because we do not know Jewish life style and customs but God did not make His word difficult to understand. God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked but wants all to come to Him in repentance.
Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to Him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
Pray, ask, seek, study that we may be good stewards of God’s word.
