Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written

Do not go beyond what is written is a mesmerizing phrase coming from I Corinthians 4:6. Paul is quoting something the Corinthians knew, but we do not.

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.

Therefore, the Bible does not say to put Paul above Apollos, so we cannot. This is more than saying we are all brothers and sisters. Especially, we must be careful not to teach that which is not supported by the Bible.

I write this faith blog under my mainthing.us url. So, you know my desire to stick to what is clear as opposed to what I like or what is easy or attractive. I always want to say so if my writing is not beyond what is written. My writing should never stand above God’s.

Do Not Go Beyond What Is Written is a Principle to Abide By

If we teach in the church or spread the good news in culture, we must also hold to the dictum to stick to what God has made clear. If he wanted to be clear, it would be. So, if it is not clear, it is not supposed to be.

I refuse to put words in God’s mouth. God’s wisdom is far above ours. Some things he has not mentioned, and we should, in those cases, not make dogmatic rules.

I am not saying that I cannot go cycling this afternoon because it is not written in Bible. I am saying that we cannot forbid cycling as the Bible does not tell us to forbid.

Other things, He has said clearly, and we should not add anything and teach it.  For example, I have some opinions on the end of the world that I do not teach or write here as the Bible is not clear on this.

God has said enough. If He wanted to say more, He would have.

God does not need my help to expand on what he said. He would have done that if He thought it was good.  May we be willing to say that the Bible is not clear on……..all things that are not clear?

Then, we will be spending more time on the main things and not the fancy speculations. Lets us respect God’s Word and not force it to say anything.