All Things New: Not Everything Old Is Bad
The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)
ALL Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
When I became a committed Christian (much later than most), I plunged in… heart first. (Halfway “anything” isn’t my habit:)
God’s Book is my Love! His Spirit, my Guide! For two amazing years, I lived alone in a cabin on top of a mountain. I didn't hurry up to find a church. In hindsight, my early isolation was exactly what the Lord intended.
He taught me on a need-to-know basis. If my Father’s 'Wonderful Counselor' (Isaiah 9:6) was my Need-to-know…
Then church divisions were weeds to avoid: labels and libels mixed in with Bibles.
Where does Jesus stand in this confusion?
Church choices seemed endless. Where should I go?
The way I saw it:
Old Testament church fundamentalists were led by rigidly ruled reverends.
Many modern New Testament Christians were led by charming and wealthy pastors.*
I was “hungry” and needed fellowship, but…
The first was bitter and hard to stomach and the latter was too sugary-sweet. If a church could be called a “restaurant” and it’s specialty is the Bread of Life…
The “Old” was tough meat without any carbs. Congregants were lean, mean judging machines.
The “New” was the opposite! Mostly carbs. Congregants were happy and filled with fluff.
Should I choose starvation or gluttony? Is our Lord rule-focused and punishing? Or is He welcoming and rewarding?
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
The God called 'I AM' (Exodus 3:14) is always on key. He is EXACTLY Who He needs to be.
He IS the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua.
He IS also the Father of Jesus, Who fulfilled all Laws and updated Them!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Since Earth’s greatest Rock Star left the field, you now rise in unprecedented times! A time with a king no one imagined: 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2). His reign? Worldwide? His field? Entertainment!
Old Testament Christians are his delight, because their rulishness turns people off!
New Testament pastors delight him, too– if their “sweet snacks” keep believers as babes… (because babies can’t fight and CAN be swayed)
Upon THIS stage you’re called to rise and shine.** Know this: Jesus stars in BOTH Testaments. The Old lays the foundation for the New!
Therefore, read both Scripts Cover-to-Cover. Jesus DID update God’s “How-To-Live” Rules, but the Latter doesn’t void the Former. Au contraire! It fulfills and affirms It.
All Things New: Not Everything Old Is Bad (Part 3, Conclusion)
* 'Not Just A New Testament God' (Christianity Today): http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2014/february-web-only/exorcising-marcions-ghost.html
* Prosperity Gospel (Got Questions): http://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html
* The Prosperity Gospel (Washington Post): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/opinions/outlook/worst-ideas/prosperity-gospel.html
** Isaiah 60:1-3: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+60%3A1-3&version=NASB; Matthew 5:16: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5%3A16&version=NKJV
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.