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Written by the wise 82+ yr old Robert VanHoose @ http://www.homilygrits.com

January 4
Read Mark 7:5-13,
Isaiah 29:12-16

“The Ice Age”

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8 (NKJV)

There are a few still around that remember the old refrigerators cooled by big chunks of ice delivered daily by the iceman. From carving out boulders of ice from frozen lakes and rivers and storing in large insulated storage rooms to moving into electrical freezing, the ice house and ice man were a daily staple of life, like the milk man who delivered milk daily by horse drawn cart.

Some churches seem to be stuck in the ice age of tradition, and old biases that are causing them to lose their saltiness and relevance.

While the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a timeless message that will never change, the means of delivering the Good News have changed dramatically and will continue to do so.

Thanks to some of the many wonders of the communications age, the gospel has now been proclaimed throughout the world.“

The churches that have come out of the ice age and combined uncompromising truth with authentic Christianity, and used all the wonderful tools available, are live growing churches. The Churches that have remained legalistic and self-centered have died throughout the world and are continuing to do so.

The competition for hearts and souls is intense. The world seems to be winning this war as intra-denominational disputes distract, and tunnel vision blinds many churches.

Ice is great for cooling and preserving freshness, but the ice age is over and the coolness of hearts need the warmth of God’s love, and the fire of the Spirit to kindle revival, and let the light shine in a real and meaningful way.

Father, help me to distinguish between truth and tradition. In Jesus’ name, Amen