Looking Back at the OT and How it Affects Us Today

This afternoon's scripture is very important to understand in terms of both our nation's moral demise and in our own walk with Jesus.

Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Personally I have been studying the OT for a good while now and find myself currently in Jeremiah. The OT is filled with warnings about the dangers of sin and idolatry. No one believes more than I in the power of God's grace, being the sinner I am I have certainly been given more than most. But as Paul has written here in Romans 15:4, to think we can write off these warnings in the OT as not applicable to us today, is quite simply insane.

Galatians 6:7-8 is New Testament fellow Christians. I suggest it be a scripture we preach to our selves daily as we examine ourselves.
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

We must study the Bible in its entirety. People like to say "Don't judge me." Then I strongly suggest we judge ourselves and that we do it against God's Word.

Revival starts in our own hearts. We need to spend less time going on and on about the sins of the world and the sins of others and start looking inward. This does not mean we don't speak out against public evil. It means we become Christ-like so that the world can see His light and wants to be in that light.

The OT message is no different than the NT message. Repent and believe on the name of Jesus. Its our only true hope.