Weekly digest vol.2 By: Omotayo Oni

 Old Time Religion VS Contemporary Realities.

 “But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy”._  Ezra 3:12
The introductory text is a contrast between the old time values and the delusion of the new generation. The elders who saw the foundation of old upon which Solomon's temple was built knew the contemporary one is nothing to be compared to it. They knew they have lost an antiquated treasure. But the younger generation on the other hand never saw the glorious stance of the first temple. They lack the knowledge of God's premium touchstone. They grew up only to know of contemporary realities and its excitements.
Contemporary realities is a system birth out of the obstinate schemes of our arch enemy. Truth be told nothing of the contemporary realities is designed to be favourable to the old time faith.
The world constantly present to us a trendy lifestyle that subtly force compliance; a compliance that does not conform to the values of old.
The world has a scintillating methods of indoctrination, redefining values in the heart of men, changing men against the unchanging God. Consequently, Christian leaders today modified Christian doctrine to suit the system rather than confronting the system with the foundation that stands sure.
We cannot blend or modify the old time religion we simply must reveal it.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1cor3:11
The contemporary system is designed to rebel against God, it cannot fit into God's purpose, neither can it please God. We simply must confront it. Modifying our doctrine or blending it cannot go without little compromise.
Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Jer 6:16
The old path has no appeal to a canal man, we can't reveal the saving grace of the cross and hide the offense of the cross; the eternal gospel will be made unfulfilled.
Every advances of the contemporary system makes being a true Christian more difficult.
Over the past decades there has developed a growing mentality that the church is an outdated organism. That we have somehow lost touch with the “millennial” generation. It is, therefore, imperative (they say) that we update the church model and make it more trendy. But in the bid to do this we lost touch of true spiritual essence. The apostolic office that once sat on the oceans of spiritual wisdom now settled for administrative workouts, fathers who once work by faith now work by sights, logic and calculations.
The present age now pose a challenge that shake our faith out of its root.
There will always be "paradigm shifts" in our value system but if there will ever be “faith” in the world when Christ return, if there will ever be a ready bride, then the Christian leaders must preserve the values of old. Christianity in 20years will be confronted with greater mystery of lawlessness if we can't simply set God's standards without compromise.
Truth is a bitter pill Christian leaders should dare to feed their flock and speak out against “the gospel of lawless grace”
The younger generation do not know the God of their fathers, because many of the fathers like Eli cannot bring to justice the spirit of rebellion by which the new generation Christian coordinate the service of the Lord. The sons of Aaron has brought upon the altar incense of strange fire.
Reconciling the world to God is a business that that has been committed to every Christian leaders and it requires wisdom, diligence and sometimes being at odd against the contemporary system that only defines Christian faith to suit the fallen nature.
I will draw my conclusion from the word of Christ in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me”. Every Christian leader must sustain a spiritual strength to lift up Christ on every given platform, in every possible form, for when that is done, he (Christ) will draw men to himself.