Did you happen to catch the
segment on Anderson Cooper 360 last night (5/21) featuring the Baptist
preacher’s rant about segregating lesbians and homosexuals in America? I
cried, literally, as I watched it, broken-hearted by the reproach this foolish
man brought on my blessed Savior. Charles Worley’s website boasts about the
church he pastors being ‘the home of the Old Time Religion.’ The
tragedy is that he is spot on. He is in love with an old time religion,
confusing his traditions, born and shaped in ignorance, with knowing Jesus
Christ. Here’s what I believe makes Jesus weep: many Americans think
Worley’s ‘old time religion’ and the Gospel of Christ are one and the same!
Forty years ago, we sang a song in church, “Give me that old
time religion… it was good for my mother, it was good for my father, and it’s
good enough for me.” It’s an anthem for those who want a dead tradition
that avoids engagement with the world that is changing. I don’t want or
need an ‘old time religion.’ My desire is to know Christ; here and
now, the living Lord who leads me to intimacy with my Heavenly Father
in this time. Some confuse this promise of Christ for our time with spiritual
novelty or as an imperative to throw away the teaching of the Church. Truth
never changes! The living Spirit brings that Truth to bear so
that we will be whole and holy people. The Gospel is the glorious news
that Jesus came, “God in flesh,” to reveal the love of the Father to us.
He died to build a bridge of reconciliation to God for us. He was raised
to life to demonstrate that there is eternal life promised for us.
Do you want to please God? Don’t mindlessly follow
some ‘old time religion!’ And don’t try to ‘make it up’ as you go, which
is what many in today’s world of a la carte spirituality try to do. The counsel
of God is that we need the wisdom of the Spirit guiding us. "Be very
careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but
understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to
debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with
psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the
Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
(Ephesians 5:15-21, NIV)
The world we live in is full of evil and deception.
When that evil makes us feel threatened, when we are unsure how to meet it with
the Good News of redemption, we will be tempted to circle the wagons of our
tradition, to hide in the security of our little ‘bless me’ club, comforted by
what is familiar. The Spirit commands us to engage with wisdom! The
Spirit will fill us, our church community will be a place where worship renews
us, but not for personal comfort. Instead, He will prepare us for the mission
of spreading light into dark places.
Peter was hauled before a court of men who loved their ‘old
time religion.’ They rebuked him for healing a man in the Name of Christ
because they did not believe that was how things should be done. Peter’s
reply to them is our word from the Word. Pray through it,
Christian. An old time religion cannot heal, cannot transform; but a living
Christ in us, allows us to be living proof of the Truth. "If we
are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and
are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel:
It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God
raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ”‘the stone
you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no
one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must
be saved.” (Acts 4:9-12, NIV)
__________
Ancient Words
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God's own heart
O let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
O heed the faithful words of Christ
Words of life words of hope
Give us strength help us cope
In this world where'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home
Ancient words ever true
Changing me changing you
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
Martyr's blood stains each page
They have died for this faith
Hear them cry through the years
Heed these words and hold them dear
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
O let the ancient words impart
Lynn DeShazo
© 2001 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (Admin. by EMI Christian
Music Publishing)
CCLI License # 810055
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