Devotional Thought on Deuteronomy 4:2

From the Athanasian Creed:

Whosoever will be saved must above all else cling to the true Christian Faith, for unless a person keep this faith whole and undefiled he will undoubtedly be lost forever.

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"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." (Deut 4:2)

The above statement from the Athanasian Creed is a stong statement. It says that if you do not believe every little part of the Christian faith, you will perish forever. Our modern political correctness shrinks away from this. We recite this on Trinity Sunday and look around, hoping that some visitor didn't pick that day to finally show up. We wonder if we ourselves know EVERY part of a faith that we never seem to truly grasp or understand. What about all the Christians out there that know Christ, but don't understand the sacraments? Do they also perish?

In contrast, the statement of the LORD in Deuteronomy 4:2 is just as strong. He has given us his Word and it is a completed work. We are not to alter it in any way, neither by adding or subtracting.

Now which part of the Christian faith is saving? Surely that is an easy question for even the earliest Catecumen to ponder. That Christ lived a perfect life and died for our sins. If this is sufficient then we are left to ponder what of the rest? Could the thief on the cross enter paradise without understanding the Trinity, but we are left to wander?

"Ma'am, when you understand the Trinity, come back and tell me...and i'll excommunicate you on the spot" (Rev. David Sellnow )

No, we are not to understand everything completely, but we are not to say to the Word..."I do not understand you, you cannot be true." For when we reject any doctrine of Scripture we detract from the glory and majesty of God. We abuse the sacraments rather than honor them. We make Jesus out to be not who he says he is. And if Christ is not who he says he is, then he is not true man and true God and did not come to redeem the world. No, this cannot be! The Word of God is his Christ. It is to be revered and honored and not altered. Whosoever will be saved, must hold to this one true Christian faith.