Thankful Theology Thursdays #4- Why is the Old Testament Important?

This past Sunday our pastor made mention of how some people choose not to place the correct emphasis on the importance of the Old Testament in relation to our Christian walk. They either overemphasize it or under emphasize it. Well I came across a perfect explanation of why we need to balance our view of the Old Testament. This quote is actually taken out of the original context of which it was intended, but I believe it beautifully explains a truth we must carefully guard.

"Because only when we understand God's wrath toward sin can we realize that we need to be saved from it. Only when we hear the very bad news that we're deserving of judgment can we appreciate the very good news that God has provided salvation through His Son."- CJ Mahaney From "The Cross Centered Life".

The Old Testament shows us in vivid detail the consequences of sin and God's inevitable wrath regarding it. What a way to explain to all those unbelievers who point accusingly at the differences between the wrathful God of the Old Testament and the God of love and hope in the New Testament as a contradiction worthy of disproving our faith. God gave us the Old Testament and showed us those differences in part to show us some of what He was saving us from through His Son.

What an awesome God we serve!