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Scripture for the day: John 5:38-40 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
Thought for the day: I wonder how many even remember that old song “Give Me That Old Time Religion.” I remember listening as Country Gospel groups regularly sang the lyrics and invited the audience to join in. Whether you like the style or not, the song usually brings a smile to those who let themselves to long enough to participate. But what do we mean when we talk, or sing, about that old time religion? What does that old time religion mean to us individually or as a church? 
 Now, when we sing about religion, we’re not talking about religion as we too often think about it. There are more people going to hell by way of religion than any other avenue. There are too many who have adopted the Christian philosophy, who have accepted the Bible as containing the word of God. They believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that the tenets of the church are true and valid and that practicing these things will bring them safely into heaven when the time comes. Listen, you can learn the catechism, perform all the rituals, keep all the rules and still go to hell because that old time religion isn’t about all those things. 
 Jesus said, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:22-23). Can there be anything more tragic than to do all those things and then not be saved in the end? 
 Paul echoed the same sentiment when he said, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:1-2). The children of Israel had tried with all they had to fulfill the law of God. They worked hard to be right before the Lord and, in doing so, had neglected real salvation; salvation by faith.
 One more example: Cornelius was “A devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always” (Acts 10:2). Look at this man again. He was a just person, doing what was right by the people, honest in his dealings with everyone he met. He was devout, had great respect, even awe, for the God of the Israelites. The Bible says he prayed consistently, was liberal in his good works and was, by all accounts, a true believer. But the question then becomes: was Cornelius saved? Peter didn’t seem to think so. He said that Cornelius had summoned him so that he could share “words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14).
 So, if none of the trappings of religion, none of the hard work, none of the guidelines we formulate for ourselves, are enough to capture the meaning of the old time religion, what on earth are all those old country gospel groups singing about? Well, let’s talk about that, shall we? 
 In a nutshell, that old time religion is the revelation of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. And we’ll talk about that tomorrow. In the meantime, we need to simply remember that our standing before the Lord our God isn’t based on how hard we have worked; it’s based on relationship with Him. If we’re going to work hard at anything, let it be our relationship with the Savior.
Now go take on your world.  -  Bill