by: Joshua Harris
Growing up in a solid church, a church that lifted high the Bible way of doing things, I became accustomed to strong beliefs, strong stand, strong soul winning, and strong Bible preaching. Before I went to college all I knew was the old-time way, and I loved it! The reason I love it is because Old Paths are Bible paths!
There are people who criticize what we believe because for some reason they think the old paths are restricted to an old generation that has almost passed off the scene, and the old ways are not relevant to the desires of a young preacher. Old-time religion was good for my fathers and is good enough for me (and for you also). Some say the Bible ways are restrictive, they “belong” to a fading generation, and they are irrelevant to this generation. Nonetheless it is still the right way of doing things.
I remember when I was in college; they were “strong” as far as what they said they believed about the old paths, but come to find out many (most) of the staff members were not as big of a proponent to the strong position I grew up with. The preaching was softer in nature and intellectually driven rather than biblically strong.
My pastor was asked to preach my freshman year in college, and boy did he let it fly! He did what he always did back home by calling out sin and challenging us from God’s Word. He simply did what he was supposed to do: “Preach the word!” In my opinion, the message that my pastor preached set the tone for the rest of the year; we had an awesome chapel service just about every day. The staff men, who were more intellectual in their preaching and in their delivery turned into Billy Sunday overnight. Personally, I believe the reason the messages changed and the whole spirit in chapel changed was because of the response by the younger generation to old-paths preaching, and they saw how we loved it!
During my college career, the overall direction of this institution of higher Christian learning started to change. At that time, I made up a statement that set the course for what I was going to be: I am a “new timer” who believes in the “old-timer’s” Bible, beliefs, and boundaries.
My thought has always been that truth doesn’t change with time. So, if something was true 50 or even 500 years ago, it still holds true today. The result of compromise is a lack of the movement of God. These new ways never have seen revival, but old paths are roads well traveled by revivalists.
I would like to reinforce this statement: old paths are the Bible path. 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.”
A word to the younger generation.
Since preachers and churches are going AWOL from Bible position; it is imperative that we intentionally do all we can to attach or establish ourselves to the old ways in this new ways movement.
1. Intentionally get acquainted with solid preachers.
When I was in college, I purposefully chose two men who I believed had strong convictions, strong Bible preaching, and a love for souls to purposefully put myself around. These two men were Mickey Hollars and Tony Smith. These two men mentored me from day one in college and continue to do so even in the present. My pastor, Brent Lenentine, has been a father figure and a mentor to me all of my life. These three men of God have helped me so much to understand Bible positions and the work of the ministry. It is imperative that you associate with men who are alive right now and are presently living out Bible paths in their own lives.
You should also become acquainted with preachers of yesteryear. Unfortunately, I grew up in an environment (not my church environment) that was caustic towards men like Jack Hyles, Curtis Hutson and John R. Rice. I knew very little about these men until I left for college. It was not until after I graduated from college, however, that I purposely chose to learn from men that God used in a mighty way. I learned so much from them by their way of preaching, books, and influence they have had on men with whom I now associate. I might not always agree with their position on a certain doctrine, but something that I have found that I can agree with is their disposition towards the old paths.
2. Intentionally disassociate yourself from the proponents of the new way.
Sadly, many of my friends started down the path of “a way not cast up” (Jeremiah 18:15). These men who once had a vision and a dream to “set the world on fire” began to change; they drank the proverbial Kool-Aid of the new paths. I had to make the personal decision that I was going to do what was right, even if everyone else was going in a different direction.
Some of these men were in my wedding and I was in theirs; some preached with me. However, now we will not “hang out” or fellowship together because they left the “Ancient paths” and “how can two walk together” if we are going in different directions? (Amos 3:3)
The Bible tells us to “mark them” who go against what we have learned as young fundamentalists and “avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)
I have a few friends from college who decided to stay true and faithful to the Bible paths. Though they be few, I wouldn’t change that for the world because they do not slow me down or try to divert me from the “good way.” We challenge each other to “ask for the old paths.”
Let me ask you this, the people you read after, associate with and follow, do they belittle or criticize the old paths? Or, do they walk the old paths?
The answer to that question tells me where you will be down the road.
3. Intentionally establish yourself in a strong church.
There are many good churches out there, and then there are many strong churches. There is a difference between a good church and a strong church.
The church is called the “pillar and ground of the truth.” It was not intended to be a social gathering, or a place of entertainment; it is a place of edification for the saints.
What we all need to do is get established and involved in a strong church.
How can you tell if a church is strong:
- The priority they put on preaching and teaching of God’s Word.
- The priority they put on soul winning and missions.
- The priority they put on holiness.
- The priority they place on male leadership.
- The priority they place on Bible standards.
- Who they have as guest speakers.
A word to the older generation.
- Resolve to not compromise. Remember what one generation will do in moderation the next will do in excess.
- Reinforce the importance of the Bible ways.
- Reach out to the younger generation and mentor them.
As an older preacher, do not lose sight of the big picture. One day your race will have been run and then it will be our turn to take the helm; you might as well invest in us to perpetuate a godly influence to the next generation.
Let us all “ask for the old paths” and then do our level base to “walk therein.”
Joshua Harris
Jesus the Answer Ministries
http://jesustheanswers.com