Seeking the Old Paths…Again (Bulletin Article for January 22)
In a world filled with immorality, Jeremiah spoke to those who were supposed to be God’s chosen people and gave them this message from God: “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). The people responded with a resounding “No.”
God wanted His people to look to their past and realize what He had given them and done for them. Is the same not true today? God, 2000 years ago, gave us His Son. He gave us the New Testament, which the Hebrews writer reminds us over and over, is a better covenant than the Old. In the pages of the New Testament, He told us what we needed to do to contact the blood of His Son. He told us how to worship. He gave us examples—both positive and negative—of how a congregation should act.
Are we seeking these old paths? Many old-time preachers used to say that they wanted to preach the “Jerusalem message.” That’s a good way of putting it. Those who preach, teach Bible classes or tell their friends about the Gospel simply need to go back to the pages of God’s Word. Remember, “it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
In the “Christian” world today, there seem to be two different trends. The first is the one that is so well promoted on television. Thousands are flocking to hear sermons each Sunday. Millions more are buying books. Hundreds of thousands are buying CDs and going to concerts of “Christian” artists. They are called “seekers,” and they are desperately looking for that “missing piece” in their lives. When they arrive at these congregations they are moved by powerful music, upbeat lessons and glowing testimonials. Many of these churches now have adherents numbering in the tens of thousands.
But, there is another trend that is not getting as much press, because it is not as “exciting” to the mainstream. There are many in the religious world today who are tired of congregations being run like corporations. They are fed up with hyper-emotionalism (or a false sense of emotion). They are angry with sermons that only talk about how life is wonderful and never speak of how, sometimes, life is difficult. They do not like “Gospel sermons” that never mention verses from God’s Word.
These people are looking for “the old paths.” That should excite those of us who are interested in maintaining the truth found only in the Bible. But, are we willing to talk to anyone about it? When someone comes to us with a religious question, are we able to direct them back to those “old paths” contained in God’s Word? May we always study so as to “be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks” (First Peter 3:15). Let’s go back to the old paths, and let’s lead others to them.
