Thursday, December 23, 2004
Romans 1:1-3a Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son ...
THAT OLD TIME RELIGION
There is a familiar gospel song that goes like this: "Give me that old time religion, it's good enough for me." I suppose those who sing this song long for a day when the word of the Lord is simply heard and believed. It was faithful Abraham who once "believed the Lord and it was counted to him as righteousness." If God's religion was good enough for Abraham, isn't it good enough for us?
Today, many see the word of the Lord as irrelevant or out of date. They see the religion of the Almighty as simply not in sync with our society as it stands now. They say, "What do we have here, anyway? A king born in a stable? A Savior who brings peace to the heart but not to the earth? Forgiveness of sins? That's old time stuff. Now we need to feed the poor, find shelters for the homeless, share and care. That's the religion that will work today."
Yes, the religion of repentance and forgiveness preached by John the Baptist in the wilderness is "old time religion," but that doesn't make it out of date or unimportant. Our gospel is the "gospel of God-- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son."
It is relevant today especially because it is old. It has stood the test of time like no other "gospel" the world over. Adam and Eve trusted the promise that a Messiah would come and save them from their sins. Abraham likewise, and Isaac, and Jacob, and so on down the line. The prophets of God echoed the same words over and over again. All signs pointed to Jesus, who would give His life as a ransom for many. The faithful-- in all different times and places-- relied on Him. Jesus saved them, and He will save us too.
The good news of Christ born in Bethlehem to bear our sins in His own body on the cross so we can gain heaven is an old gospel. It is as old as eternity itself. Thus it shall last until the end of time. And it's good enough for us! 