Some things in Pennsylvania never, ever change. Here is the progression that we, as residents, witness every year, follow closely: winters yield snow and ice; spring follows, yielding to warming temperatures and thawing; the thawing leads to the inevitable teeth-jarring potholes; summer dawns, and a new crop of construction cones bursts into bloom all across the state. And there it is; I believe that constitutes the transitive property in math? As we traveled to church today, we encountered a newly-oiled road, complete with cones and the bright, orange warning sign along the berm-NO PAVEMENT MARKINGS. This sign provides a warning, it means that the road crew has yet to paint the center and edge lane lines. Drivers should heed the warning and exhibit extra caution in order to stay on their own side of the road and not cross over into oncoming traffic, which would create a dangerous situation. Lane lines, medians, and guard rails all have the same purpose, to keep drivers on the road and in their lanes so that we can all arrive at our destination safely.
The Bible speaks often of landmarks, warning against moving those monuments. In the Old Testament, those landmarks were boundary markings; they could consist of a simple stone, a line of trees, or a deep furrow dug in the ground. When the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes of Israel, these landmarks were essential. Those precious lots of land that were to be assigned would be passed on down through the family line. Removal of a neighbor’s boundary marker was tantamount to theft, punishable in the harshest way.
Landmarks help us know where the boundary is, and help us identify the area of our liberty. God’s Word sets firm landmarks of doctrine with which we cannot tamper; we will flounder apart from those limits set within His Word. The cornerstone tenets of repentance, salvation, regeneration, justification, and sanctification are set in stone in God’s Word, and our liberty and freedom in Him exists within those boundaries. They are never to be subject to tampering. Be alert for false “…winds of doctrine” passed on by those lying “in wait to deceive.” Satan is crafty and deceitful, a proficient liar and dubious counterfeiter, and he would love to nudge us out of our lane of safety found in Scripture guidelines. We are warned that if we add to God’s Word “God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book,” and if we subtract or delete from His Word, “God shall take away his part out of the book of life.” Never move the landmarks established in His written Word, “stand fast, and hold the traditions which have been taught…” Stay in the lane!
Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.
Father, help me never to be swayed in the foundational truths established in Your Word. Help me to always abide within those safe boundaries. Keep me always alert to Satan’s deceitful tactics.