by: Dr. Bruce Goddard
Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus saith the LORD, 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].”
All Scripture is profitable for all generations. Of course, when we are to seek out the old-time tested paths, only a fool would think it was only intended for those in the days of Jeremiah’s preaching. Jeremiah must have been profitable for Timothy, and likewise profitable for us today.
Before I get to “OLD PATHS,” I need to preface it with a few other thoughts.
Paul said for believers to submit themselves to the house of Stephanis for they had addicted themselves to the ministry. 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 says, “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and [that] they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with [us], and laboureth.”
Their life and ministry had earned them the right to be followed. God is big on following great leaders. We sit in a generation of do nothings who want everyone to listen to them criticize those who went before, those who accomplished great things for God. Our generation criticizes the founding fathers, and young foolish preachers likewise criticize the great spiritual founders who gave us the foundation of our churches today.
Paul gave other instruction as to who we should follow in 2 Timothy 3:14 when he says, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];”
Why did Paul encourage Timothy to follow him? Because he knew him well. He had seen his life and ministry. He had seen some serious Christian victories. In 2 Timothy 3:10 he says, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,” This was not some youthful “wanna be preacher,” but an old gristled veteran, a man who was proven.
The fact is, in my lifetime “OLD PATHS” means John Rice, Jack Hyles, Lee Roberson and others. I know Dwight Moody did not run buses, but I can read how he used wagons to bring people to Sunday School and follow his “OLD PATHS”. These old men have proven themselves, we can see the beginning and end of their ministry, and we can rest assured that they are pointing us down the right path. In Jeremiah we read more when he commanded us to ask for the old paths. Jeremiah 6:16 says, “Thus saith the LORD, 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].”
We are to go looking for the paths of those who went before us. Of course we are to follow Scripture, but there are ten thousand things I need to do that are not clearly defined in the Bible, so I look to the “OLD PATHS” of wiser, successful men who went before. “Ask” for those paths, Jeremiah said. Who can we ask but older godly leaders.
Today there were some who simply didn’t want to walk in the old paths. They’ve made excuses. They are so full of self and new ideas that they cannot fathom their peers listening to the ideas of older men.
Remember what happened to Rehoboam when he had big choices to make? He asked advice of the old men around him, those who had guided his father. I’d say that is an old path. But choose foolishly to listen to his peers, and the kingdom was split and many lost their lives.
I was brought up in my early Christian life hearing Oliver B. Green, A.V. Henderson, Harold Sightler, G.B. Vick, Lester Roloff, R.G. Lee, but these new kids with their mocking of the “OLD PATHS” just don’t impress me. Great men all preached on “OLD PATHS,” and I will trust what they said about “OLD PATHS” a lot more than some rookie who has more followers on Facebook than in his church.
To seek out the guidance of older wiser men has always been the way of the godly. Look at what Deuteronomy 32:7 says, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.”
Just what was Jeremiah talking about when he said, “OLD PATHS?” Read the chapter in context and you will see it was old paths of worship, old paths of morality, and old paths of separation from the world. What does this new generation mean when they criticize the term, “OLD PATHS?” I don’t know, but I would guess it is the “OLD PATHS” that they don’t like?
Maybe it is soul winning, or perhaps holiness, most likely it is separation, for this worldly society is a friend to many in pulpits across America.
Many years ago a friend who had worked in Mexico some told me of the flaws of the Spanish Bible. He set out to write a correct Bible. Now, he was my friend, we were trained at the same college. But he was nuts. I could look to Elmer Fernandez, Tommy Ashcraft, and other veteran missionaries whose life was testimony enough for me. I couldn’t order in a Mexican restaurant, but I knew I wanted no part in this new kid who trashed the belief’s of great older men.
Those who criticize the “OLD PATHS” politically sit in criticism of our nation’s constitution, they criticize the founders, they attack everything our nation was built upon. No, I don’t want us to go back to using a quill and ink well, nor do I want to wear powdered pony tails, but we all agree the values and belief system of the founders is what we want.
So is the truth of spiritual old paths. We want to borrow the lessons learned by older wiser men, as far back as we can get them. Don’t be so foolish to let someone mock “OLD PATHS” while offering you new alternatives. The contemporary church and the compromiser in the pulpit wants to make the world comfortable in their services hoping to gain a crowd. I prefer the old paths of soul winning. It has been working in California for me and many others for decades.
Most who avoid the old paths can be identified by their fruit. See how many young men are called to the ministry under their leadership. They may win a crowd by their flowery teaching, but young men can see a fraud. See the number of soul winners in their church. Count the number of teachers and workers they have developed under their ministry and see if they have built mature growing believers.
Want to define “OLD PATHS?” I suggest you go to some old men and let them set you straight, but to hear someone today criticize what older successful preachers said about “OLD PATHS?” I think I’ll avoid his ideas. Give me the Old-Time Religion.
Dr. Bruce Goddard
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Wildomar, CA