Repost: Seek the Old Paths (Honoring God while Remainins Culturally Relavant)

Differences of opinion concerning the direction of the church will inevitably rouse great emotion. Conflict often arises because of a shift in a congregation's "modus operandi" or standard operating procedure. People get too comfortable with familiar and any deviation is seen as suspect. Too often, any change is summarily rejected and even branded heretical simply because "we've never done it that way before."

Lacking any real biblical basis for rejecting the new, opponents of change appeal to the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah's statement recorded in Jeremiah 6:16. Here, Jeremiah implores, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient (old) paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Just prior to this proclamation, Jeremiah prophesies of the coming destruction of Jerusalem if God's people do not change. Then in verse 14, Jeremiah decries, "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace." Jeremiah was speaking to God's children who were relying on their past success, who acknowledged only the need of a minor patch (dress the wound), who only wanted to be left alone to do as they had been doing (peace, peace).

What was God's reply? When you stand at a decision point, choose the ancient way. Often this is interpreted as an endorsement of tradition and an injunction against innovation. However, Jeremiah's urging to "ask for the ancient paths" is a declaration to cast off tradition and simply seek God; seek not man's old path, but God's old path. Choose to do things God's way.

God's people face a daunting task today. People are indifferent to religion in general. Financial problems plague our households along with all the usual suspects such as drugs, alcohol, marital issues, health problems, etc. In other words, Jeremiah would say, "the wound is serious!" People in our culture are inundated with choices and will only devote their time to a cause that is relevant. Yes, they need God in their lives, but what is the church doing that says to the world, "We have the answers," and most importantly, "We care!" The church should be at the forefront of innovation when it comes to ways of connecting people with Christ.

The telegraph was once the way to send important messages, however, changes in culture and technology deemed this method of communication no longer relevant. While the messages once sent via telegraph still need sending today, they are sent using different techniques and technology such as email, facebook, and twitter. The same is true for the church and its message. While our message has not changed, our way of communicating the timeless message of Christ must change. To insist that we continue down the "old paths" simply because it worked in the past is positioning ourselves with the Israelites of Jeremiah's day crying "Peace, Peace!" A church that persists in traditions that no longer work because it is uncomfortable with trying new methods not only becomes irrelevant; it risks being condemned by its own selfishness.

Certainly, we can learn from our past. Much of what was done in the past in the name of the Lord is praiseworthy and brings God much glory. The previous generations had a passion for the lost, a craving for knowledge, and an insatiable thirst for truth that we would do well to imitate. If we emulate these qualities while employing culturally relevant techniques we not only honor those who have gone before us, we glorify God.

We sing the hymn, "There is much to do there is work on every hand. Hark! The cry for help comes ringing through the land. Jesus calls for reapers, I must active be. Lord, I must not, cannot dare to let them be. Here am I, Lord send me!" This song so eloquently puts forth our mission. The work is immense and the pleas of the lost are deafening. Jesus has called us to take his word to the world. To put forth less than our best effort is near the equivalent of ignoring the call of our Lord altogether.

We do indeed stand at a crossroad and God demands we make a decision. We cannot defer and do nothing; people in our homes, our church, our community, and our world are lost and dying! How do we answer? We "ask where the good way is, and walk in it."



Mitchell

Seek the Old Paths (Honoring God while Remaining Culturally Relevant)

Differences of opinion concerning the direction of the church will inevitably rouse great emotion. Conflict often arises because of a shift in a congregation's "modus operandi" or standard operating procedure. People get too comfortable with familiar and any deviation is seen as suspect. Too often, any change is summarily rejected and even branded heretical simply because "we've never done it that way before."

Lacking any real biblical basis for rejecting the new, opponents of change appeal to the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah's statement recorded in Jeremiah 6:16. Here, Jeremiah implores, "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient (old) paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Just prior to this proclamation, Jeremiah prophesies of the coming destruction of Jerusalem if God's people do not change. Then in verse 14, Jeremiah decries, "They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. "Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace." Jeremiah was speaking to God's children who were relying on their past success, who acknowledged only the need of a minor patch (dress the wound), who only wanted to be left alone to do as they had been doing (peace, peace).

What was God's reply? When you stand at a decision point, choose the ancient way. Often this is interpreted as an endorsement of tradition and an injunction against innovation. However, Jeremiah's urging to "ask for the ancient paths" is a declaration to cast off tradition and simply seek God; seek not man's old path, but God's old path. Choose to do things God's way.

God's people face a daunting task today. People are indifferent to religion in general. Financial problems plague our households along with all the usual suspects such as drugs, alcohol, marital issues, health problems, etc. In other words, Jeremiah would say, "the wound is serious!" People in our culture are inundated with choices and will only devote their time to a cause that is relevant. Yes, they need God in their lives, but what is the church doing that says to the world, "We have the answers," and most importantly, "We care!" The church should be at the forefront of innovation when it comes to ways of connecting people with Christ.

The telegraph was once the way to send important messages, however, changes in culture and technology deemed this method of communication no longer relevant. While the messages once sent via telegraph still need sending today, they are sent using different techniques and technology such as email, facebook, and twitter. The same is true for the church and its message. While our message has not changed, our way of communicating the timeless message of Christ must change. To insist that we continue down the "old paths" simply because it worked in the past is positioning ourselves with the Israelites of Jeremiah's day crying "Peace, Peace!" A church that persists in traditions that no longer work because it is uncomfortable with trying new methods not only becomes irrelevant; it risks being condemned by its own selfishness.

Certainly, we can learn from our past. Much of what was done in the past in the name of the Lord is praiseworthy and brings God much glory. The previous generations had a passion for the lost, a craving for knowledge, and an insatiable thirst for truth that we would do well to imitate. If we emulate these qualities while employing culturally relevant techniques we not only honor those who have gone before us, we glorify God.

We sing the hymn, "There is much to do there is work on every hand. Hark! The cry for help comes ringing through the land. Jesus calls for reapers, I must active be. Lord, I must not, cannot dare to let them be. Here am I, Lord send me!" This song so eloquently puts forth our mission. The work is immense and the pleas of the lost are deafening. Jesus has called us to take his word to the world. To put forth less than our best effort is near the equivalent of ignoring the call of our Lord altogether.

We do indeed stand at a crossroad and God demands we make a decision. We cannot defer and do nothing; people in our homes, our church, our community, and our world are lost and dying! How do we answer? We "ask where the good way is, and walk in it."



Mitchell

Unity in Diversity

Conflict and controversy are two sure-fire ways of exciting people into Bible study. Sadly, this kind of fire seldom resolves anything, rarely incites people to go into the world to save the lost, and most often causes division and even congregational splits. Words like "liberal" and "legalist" are discussed in church meetings and brotherhood papers so much that they seem to outnumber words that should be considered like "missions," "saving the lost," and "fellowship." Brethren become "experts" on the topic of discussion, and very often they become "one issue" Christians. If you do not believe as they believe then you are a liberal and therefore must not be fellowshipped. Soon, these brethren try to force their issue into every situation possible and onto every person possible.

Brothers and sisters, it is time for this to end! It is time for the Lord's church to stop majoring in minors. It is time for the Lord's church to complete the mission Jesus set for us and "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

Will there be a time when doctrine is assaulted and needs defending? Sadly the answer is, "Yes." When these cases arise we must unite and defend the faith, but not every issue discussed is a matter of faith or fellowship. Jude wrote to the early Christians concerning this issue saying, "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3). Jude wanted to write a letter of encouragement to Christians to inspire them in their evangelistic efforts, however, because of certain people and problems he was forced to write a letter urging them to be unified.

Unity is not giving up the fight, as some perceive. Unity in diversity is often a phrase that gets tossed around like a hot potato. We should never compromise on the doctrine of Christ, yet who would claim that the Lord's church is not made up of a group of people with diverse beliefs? Paul urged the Christians at Rome to have unity in diversity. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters" (Romans 14:1). In other words, Paul says, accept your brother without giving thought to his differing opinion.

If Christians would strive to do as Jude commands and "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints," then we could do away with much conflict and controversy. Later in Jude, those who cause division are said to have gone the way of Balaam's error. It is interesting that even Balaam, when he listened to God, got things right. "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8).

When one is seeking to please God and is not violating God's commands, then how can God's people denounce him? Paul says the same thing, "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:4).

Do you agree or can we agree to disagree?

Some Things You Just Don't Do

There are some things that you just don't do. "You don't tug on Super Man's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't pull the mask off the ole' Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Jim. (or is it Slim?)"

Seriously, the apostle Paul warned the church in Corinth about a solemn matter that they were to avoid at all costs.

"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" ( 1 Corinthians 3:16,17 NIV).

The Corinthian church was experiencing one of those things you just don't do. You do not destroy God's temple. The devil himself does not have the power to do what man can when it comes to this sphere of influence ( Matthew 16:15-18).

Unity among believers is paramount to Christ, and, therefore, ought to be with us as well ( John 17:21). However, we can entertain a divisive-minded brother too long. Sometimes, as foreign as is may seem, separation from one or a few is necessary to the unity of the many.

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned" ( Titus 3:9-11).

Paul charged the Roman church, concerning matters of opinion, to get along. "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" ( Romans 14:19). Therefore, whether it is matters of opinion or matters of faith the biblical response is "do not destroy God's temple."

This seems complicated. We are commanded to separate to preserve unity on one hand and put forth effort to get along on the other. How are we to apply this today?

Notice the words used to describe the situations and persons involved in each situation. On one hand, there is foolish controversy and argument leading to division; the command is to warn once, then a second time, and then avoid. On the other hand, you have a person "weak in faith" ( Romans 14:1) with whom we are commanded to "make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

Christians everywhere need to stop and think what is at stake when division or schism arises in the church. "If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple" ( 1 Corinthians 3:17).

There are some things you just don't do.

Conflict and Controversy

Conflict and controversy are two sure fire ways of exciting people into bible study.  Sadly, this kind of fire seldom resolves anything, rarely incites people to go into the world to save the lost and most often causes division and even congregational splits.  Words like "liberal" and "legalist" are discussed in church meetings and brotherhood papers so much that they seem to outnumber words that should be considered like "missions," "saving the lost," and "fellowship."  Brethren become "experts" on the topic of discussion and very often they become "one issue" Christians.  If you do not believe as they believe then you are a liberal and therefore must not be fellowshipped.  Soon, these brethren try to force their issue into every situation possible and onto every person possible.    

Brothers and Sisters it is time for this to end!  It is time for the Lord's church to stop majoring in minors.  It is time for the Lord's church to complete the mission Jesus set for us and "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).  Will there be a time when doctrine is assaulted and needs defending, sadly the answer is yes.  When these cases arise we must unite and defend the faith, but not every issue discussed is a matter of faith or fellowship.  Jude wrote to the early Christians concerning this issue saying, "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 3).  Jude wanted to write a letter of encouragement to Christians to inspire them in their evangelistic efforts, however, because of certain people and problems he was forced to write a letter urging them to be unified.

Unity is not, giving up the fight, as some perceive.  Unity in diversity is often a phrase that gets tossed around like a hot potato.  We should never compromise on the doctrine of Christ, yet who would claim that the Lord's church is not made up of a group of people with diverse beliefs.  Paul urged the Christians at Rome to have unity in diversity.  "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters" (Romans 14:1).  In other words, Paul says, accept your brother without giving thought to his differing opinion. 

If Christians would strive to do as Jude commands and "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints," then we could do away with much conflict and controversy.  Later in Jude, those who cause division are said to have gone the way of Balaam's error.  It is interesting that even Balaam, when he listened to God, got things right.  "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?" (Numbers 23:8).  When one is seeking to please God and is not violating God's commands then how can God's people denounce him?  Paul says the same thing, "Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:4).   

Do you agree or can we agree to disagree?