“If you use your tool on it, you have profaned it” ( Exodus 20:25)

God's altar was to be built of natural stones, so no trace of human skill or labor would be seen in it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more appealing to the self-help inclinations of fallen man; 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 to God’s Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is anxious to “improve” the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are elevated, and natural ability is credited. Instead of perfecting the Savior's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonor it. Christ alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and man's chisel or hammer can only cause confusion. There’s an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to Christ’s dying declaration, “it is finished”; trying to “improve” what God calls perfect.

Trembling sinner, throw down your tools, and fall upon your knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus Christ to be the altar of your atonement, and rest in Him alone.

Many false converts need to heed the warning from this morning's text as referring to the doctrines they believe. There is among Christians an inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let’s strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are uncut stones, and are thus fit by God’s altar.