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Morning and Evening

July 14, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it." — Exodus 20:25 · KJV

God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labor might be seen on it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial, and more agreeable to the depraved tastes of fallen nature; but instead 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: preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by every means the attempt is made to lift up human tools on the divine altar. It would be 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 tolerated. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus, in His dying moments, declared to be finished, or to improve that in which Yahweh finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with your tools, and fall on your knees in humble supplication; accept the Lord Jesus as the altar of your atonement, and rest in Him alone. Many who profess faith may take warning from this morning's text as to the doctrines they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief. Let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it, rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the fitter to build an altar for the Lord.