Put off the new book & put on the old!

I once heard someone say that you can tell a lot about someone by the books on their bookshelf. So have you had a good look at your bookshelf lately? In todays society the common pill many swallow is 'out with the old, in with the new'. So have todays young Christians swallowed this too when it comes to the question of who or what should I read? Unfortunately I think so. Check out the top ten at Koorong... Joyce Meyer, Joel Osteen, Phillip Yancey. How many Christians do you know whose bookshelf contains a copy of 'What's So Amazing About Grace', 'Every Young Mans Battle', & 'Wild at Heart' and that's it! There is nothing wrong with these books at all! In fact I recommend each Christian man read them. But where are the classics??

It was while I was reading John Owen's 'The Glory of Christ' this morning in which I reflected on how much Christians today are missing out on the ancient treasures of Puritan literature. Owen in speaking of Christians need to seek faith the glory of Christ writes..

'In this would I live; in this would I die; upon this would I dwell my thoughts and affections, to the withering and consumption of all the painted beautied of this world, to the crucifying all things here below, until they become to me a dead and deformed thing, no way suitable for affectionate embraces'

How good it that! Friends, why should we starve ourselves of such Christ centred literature. I have just finished 'Pilgrims Progress' and now I feel that every new Christian should read it. I want to make it the membership requirement every church in Sydney! It was that good. So pick up some classics. Read John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, John Bunyan (no wonder I love John Piper), Martin Luther's Commentaries. Let these authors guide you to deeper maturity in Christ. It may be tough work, but that's life!