Friday, July 14, 2023

Do Not Chisel the Unhewn Stones

If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Exodus 20:25
 
"GOD'S altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen upon it. 
 Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; 
instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. 
All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and pollutions. 
---The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar
It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Savior's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. 
---The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. 
---Rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord." 
Charles Spurgeon