A young woman was lamenting the other day about how dismal, depressing and destructive the old testament seemed. "What a downer," she said, "when will we ever get to the new testament filled with miracles, promises and the hope of heaven revealed?"
I suspect many of us have felt that way from time to time. We've grown so accustomed to the Gospel and the amazing grace it offers we've totally ignored the ramifications of life with out it. We assume it is always be there to be had whenever we're ready, has always been there and will always be there no matter what.
You can't know how good the Good News is, until you know how bad the bad news is. You must see yourself, your life and your future through the lens of the old testament before you truly understand the power of grace.
So, when should you move on to the new testament, when you fully understand and accept the reality of the old testament.
“I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in right relationship with my heavenly Father nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behavior or desire of mine that he will not condone. I want a relationship with the Abba of Jesus, who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an awesome, incomprehensible, and unwieldy Mystery.” Brennan Manning
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