Never out of date

Somewhere over this weekend my little old truck finally rolled over to 200k miles. The truck is not quite as old as I am, but it’s close. My youngest daughter asked me if it was a “classic,” but I assured her it’s merely old.

My children have ridden in a car their whole life, but this one is full of things that they have never seen. As it’s over 3 decades old it’s got things like a cigarette lighter and built in ashtray, manual windows, and a gas gauge that doesn’t work either. Unlike most cars today there is no slick screen with all the latest info, a backup camera, or a spot to charge your phone. But it gets me to where I need to go, and so I do what I need to in order to keep it going.

This truck was state of the art when it was built, but it wasn’t long before it was outdated. Many of the systems in it are now obsolete. It’s common in our world today for things to be disposed of quickly, but there is something about those things that are built to last. This is only a Ford Ranger from the 80’s, but my kids enjoy riding in it and seeing “the way things used to be.” There are many things that are disposed of when new models come out, but there are somethings we should never let go of.

For Christians, the Bible and the instruction it gives us is something worth holding onto. The Word of God and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ are thousands of years old, but they have lost none of their truth or value. Some antique items are made obsolete by new technology, but the Bible is never obsolete or antiquated. While I like my truck, I won’t be taking it on a long trip. I want something with satellite radio and A/C that works! But the message of Jesus Christ is as fresh and applicable to our lives as it was the first day Jesus shared it.

Sadly, many are tempted to throw out portions of Scripture as old or not necessary any more and trade it in for new values. But Jesus promised that not one jot or tittle will pass away until it is fulfilled. Everything else in the world will pass away, but the Word of God will abide forever. Many find new values that match what the world now thinks is important, but the Word of God never changes it’s message: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The Bible does not need to be traded in for a newer model and is never out of style. But too often we trade our Bible reading time for entertainment, or our time in prayer for vacation time for ourselves.

Find yourself a church that honors God’s word, not just as something cool from a bygone era, but as the living Word of God. Don’t trade in the Word of God for the values of the world. Spend time today in God’s word and you will find that is still living and active, and applicable to every area of your life. You won’t regret it.