Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk [therein]. (Jeremiah 6:16) American Standard Version 1901
Just like the Christians today Jeremiah lived in a very difficult time. As we read the Book of Jeremiah, we can see, clearly, that Judah had turned its back on God and God's judgment was coming, God was tired of Judah's constant faithlessness, and would no longer protect the land of His people ( Ezekiel 5:11-17, 11:22-23). The judgment of God was at hand for them. Just like in that day it is the same today in America, the judgment of God is at hand. America has turned her back on the God of their forefathers!
Just like the people, on that day, it is the same today, people just paid no attention. The people in Jeremiah's time did not seek out the ways of their leaders of the past. Godly leaders such as Moses, Joshua, David, Hezekiah, or Josiah. They continued in their sins and listened to false prophets declaring peace and safety (Jeremiah 6:13-15). We have the same today in America. We have preachers that no longer preach about the atoning blood of our saviour, instead, it is a prosperity message, a message of appeasement for the homosexuals, and an anything goes message because God is Love. We even now have preachers that stand behind the sacred desk and say that Jesus is not the only way. God forbid! The twelve step program is not the way, Mohamed is not the way, Buddha is not the way, there is only one way and that is Jesus!
Just like the people, on that day, it is the same today, people just paid no attention. The people in Jeremiah's time did not seek out the ways of their leaders of the past. Godly leaders such as Moses, Joshua, David, Hezekiah, or Josiah. They continued in their sins and listened to false prophets declaring peace and safety (Jeremiah 6:13-15). We have the same today in America. We have preachers that no longer preach about the atoning blood of our saviour, instead, it is a prosperity message, a message of appeasement for the homosexuals, and an anything goes message because God is Love. We even now have preachers that stand behind the sacred desk and say that Jesus is not the only way. God forbid! The twelve step program is not the way, Mohamed is not the way, Buddha is not the way, there is only one way and that is Jesus!
The nation of Judah survived the Assyrian attack, and they believed that they would pull through the Babylonian attack. But that did not happen, because within just a period of time they would all be dead or exiled to Babylon. What a disaster! If the people of Judah had only repented, Jerusalem would have been, just like Nineveh and they would have been spared by God's mercy but, they continued in their own paths to their own downfall and destruction. America has survived a lot of attacks also. The times may be different today, but the Lord is not. His ways are not and never will be different or outdated. Some people think this way: "old" answers do not answer the “ new” questions of our world or this age, "new and improved" has replaced "stable and trusted." We no longer rely on past standards that were past down to us. Should we as Christians just accept this way of thinking? God forbid, NO!
Just in a few short decades, this nation has gone from being a Godly nation to a reprobate nation that is in the dead aim of God's judgment. No longer is God in our schools and in our classrooms. No longer is the Holy Bible found on the teacher's desk, no longer is there prayer or Bible reading in our schools. No longer is God in our courtrooms, in our government buildings, in our congress, or in the homes of most people. No longer do we have a leader of this country that will get down on his knees and call on God, instead we have a leader that says we are no longer a Christian nation, We have a leader that has said some of the Bible is outdated. I could go on and on but You get the jest of what I'm saying.
The church world today needs to listen and take heed to the words of the prophets, apostles, and teachers from old that are found in the Bible. The LORD pleaded for Israel to return to the old paths, just like He is pleading for America to return to the old paths, which were and still are good, and just as those old paths gave rest for their souls in those days it will give rest for our souls in today's world! The Bible plainly tells us that Jesus The Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and consequently the church world should not be led away. by "strange" and "diverse" teachings. Paul warns and instructs the Galatians that anyone who preaches a Gospel different from the one which he preached to them was accursed (Galatians 1:6-9). Even Jude wrote to encourage and further the Christians of his day to contend earnestly for the faith that was delivered "once for all" to the saints (Jude 1:3) What does that tell us?
Please let me make this point: Just because something is new, it is not always wrong, but whatever is "new" should not diminish or take away the practice of the past faith, the faith of our forefathers in the church. Modern day Christians must keep and share the same faith and practice that faith just like the first century Christians did. Let us strive, then, to seek the old paths and remain within them, so that we may obtain the Promised Land and not find ourselves separated from God!
Please let me make this point: Just because something is new, it is not always wrong, but whatever is "new" should not diminish or take away the practice of the past faith, the faith of our forefathers in the church. Modern day Christians must keep and share the same faith and practice that faith just like the first century Christians did. Let us strive, then, to seek the old paths and remain within them, so that we may obtain the Promised Land and not find ourselves separated from God!
