I heard a reference to that gospel song “Old Time Religion” and I started to think. Nah, I really don’t want that old time religion. I really in all my life known what pure Christianity really is. I have just lately gotten a glimpse of what I believe to be Christianity is supposed to be.

I’m pushing the 40 + mark right now and I’m looking back at what my impact or how I’ve tried impact those around me. Looking at your spiritual roots can sometimes be a little bit painful. They say we learn by trial and error, and sometimes I feel there’s more error the trial. About 12 years ago I move to Kansas City and took a job teaching at Dominion Christian school. I have the privilege of teaching really bright kids. Many of them have moved on to some really awesome ministry in everything from music, preaching, sports, etc.

One of the classes that I taught was the homeroom Bible class. I often wonder how effective I really was and what my motives we’re. There was one studeny who often said “Oh no, it’s time for one of Mister K’s guilt trips.” I look back and my paradigm was probably one of outside appearance and works.

I have recently been spiritually challenged and with that some blinders have been removed. I was bound up in a works mentality. I was a slave to a set of laws.

Romans 8:15 (TMT) Slavery is such a poor substitute for sonship! They are opposites; the one leads forcefully through fear while friendship responds fondly to Abba Father.

I was moving in a spirit of “look what I can do. ” There’s the Marys and the Marthas, I was a Martha. I moved as a servant not a son.

Luke 10:41-42 NLT

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus blatantly said Mary chose the better. There has to be a balance as sitting at his feet or gazing on Jesus and getting things to happen. How much easier would it be to move out of passion then self will. The DIY attitude works when you are building a deck but in the spiritual world I now know He can do it much better than I could ever do. I worked and pressured change out of guilt and condemnation. Many of my students were striving to change out of will power. I’ve been a part of The International House of Prayer and one of the things stressed there is time spent worshipping and gazing as it were on Jesus will turn you from a Martha to a Mary.

Romans 6:11 “…Calculate the cross; there can only logical solution: he died for your death; that means you died unto sin, and now are alive unto God. Sin-consciousness can never again feature in your future. You are in Christ Jesus; his Lordship is the authority of this union.

His death on the cross brought the New Covenant (Grace) into the equation and wiped out mans reliance on the Law.

James 2:10 If you the standard of the law in just one aspect of it you failed entirely.

Jesus wiped out that old time religion. The law to me is thst old time religion. When I heard the words old time religion I conjure up pictures of fire and brimstone preachers who point that gnarled finger in your face yelling “Repent! ” This is a form of Christianity that to me leaves much to be desired. I do not want to spend my life trying to achieve some level of acceptance that is based on guilt and condemnation God. I love the fact that I now know there is a God who sees me as blameless now. He exudes grace. He knows me and likes me anyway.

No old time religion (law) for me.