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Back To The Old Time I don't like changes and I especially don't like time changes. About the time we get used to one time we have to either spring forward or fall back to another time. In order to take care of this problem, I have made a rather bold but necessary decision. I am not going to change to the new time, but I am going to stay on the old time. Therefore, as you are reading this bulletin (for those who are on the new 9:30 AM Bible Study time), I will be at home getting ready to be here at the building at the old 9:30 AM Bible Study time. You see just two weeks ago the old 9:30 was correct and I don't see why we can't just go back to the old time. It just dawned on me (yes, pun intended), that it is all a matter of opinion as to which time we like best and which one to go by. Of course I may occasionally go by the new time, especially when it gets to be dinner time, but that may depend on what's for dinner. My tardiness may not be due to being late but to being on a different time. Granted it could cause some confusion. For I have to find out if the doctor's appointment at 2 o'clock is new time or old time 2 o'clock. But I think we can still go by the time that we like best. There may be some more confusion if some folks want to go by West Coast time or Mountain time, whatever that is. But I think we should be able to choose the time we like best. You may be thinking that I am crazy and this won't work, but isn't that what some people do with the Bible. The Law of Moses was given by God on Mount Sinai to the nation of Israel, Exodus 20. For about 2500 years it was the current Law to Israel. For over 2000 years they offered animal and grain sacrifices. They were offered every day, some were monthly, and one was offered on a yearly basis. They had the Levitical priesthood and the temple in Jerusalem as the place to come and worship God. There were dietary laws, civil laws, and moral laws. Stoning was required at times for transgressions against the law. No one was told to be baptized, but then no one was totally forgiven of their sins either. They could use instrumental music because I can read about it in the Psalms. Some of these things I like and some I don't, but I think we should be able to pick and choose which law we want to go by. Even more importantly I think we should be able to choose which part of which law I want to obey and which part I can neglect. Of course this may cause some confusion, for some want to observe the Sabbath but the disciples at Troas came together on the first day of the week to observe the Lord's Supper, Acts 20.7. The New Testament does talk about singing with our heart to the Lord, Colossians 3.16, and does not mention instrumental music, but we still have the Law of Moses and the Psalms to justify our piano. What is it you say? The Law of Moses was nailed on the cross, taken out of the way, Colossians 2.14. But before the Day of Pentecost, it was the Law of God and applied to the Jews. I think God would surely allow us to keep part of the Old Law. What? If a person tries to keep part of the Law they become a debtor to keep all of the Law, Galatians 5.3. But I don't want to keep all of the Old Law just the good parts. After all I like catfish and this stoning business is just too harsh for my taste. I still think we can take part of the Law of Moses and part of the Law of Christ and combine the best of both laws. I like not having to mow the yard on my Saturday's and the Sabbath was a day of rest. So why can't we just go by both laws. What are you saying? That is like a woman trying to have two husbands at the same time, Romans 7.1-4. The only way we can be under the Law of Christ is being free from the Law of Moses; otherwise we would be committing spiritual adultery. I still think it is close minded to insist we go only by the Law of Christ. It just minimizes the Law of Moses and makes it irrelevant. In fact, I don't think you really believe in the Law of Moses. Huh? Those things written before were written for our learning, Romans 15.4; and The Law of Moses serves as a tutor to bring us to Christ, Galatians 3.25 I still think we can choose which Law we want to go by as long as we believe in the grace of God. So be closed minded if you want, but I am going by the Old Law and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. Hopefully everyone reading this article realizes the absurdity of a person deciding which time they will go by and its parallel to those wanting to apply parts of the Law of Moses today. If one could be saved by the Law of Moses then God would not have sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Of course that would also mean the Hebrew writer was wrong when he said that it was not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sin, Hebrews 10.4. Yet for various reasons people want to jump back to the Old Testament for authority for instrumental music, Sabbath Day worship, tithing, and other practices in the Old Law. Such will cause a person to be lost for there is only one Law today and that is the Law of Christ. -- Dennis Tucker |