God’s advice for wayward Judah could have helped rescue them from impending conquest, but they would not listen. It is good advice for the church if we will listen. “Thus says the Lord: ‘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 NKJV).
Christians need to seek the old paths of God’s will by making it their purpose to go back to the Bible, since the way that seems right to unguided men leads to death (Proverbs 14:12). God confirmed the Word was His by the miracles His spokesmen worked (Hebrews 2:1–4). Paul wanted the Ephesian shepherds to rely on God and His Word (Acts 20:29–32).
It is important to go back to the Bible because it is the path to understanding God’s will (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The Bible is the standard that will be used in the Judgment (John 12:48). Jesus declared, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). His prayer for unity plainly reveals God’s Word is that Truth (John 17:17).
Going back to the Bible is the means of finding pardon. It is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). The Word lets us know that we must confess with our mouths Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9–10). Baptism is God’s means of saving us (1 Peter 3:21).
The Bible lays out God’s pattern of organization for the church. Christ is the Head, with elders serving under him (Ephesians 1:22–23; 1 Peter 5:1–4). It lays out a pattern for the work of the church. That work can simply be described as benevolence, edification and evangelism (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 4:16; Matthew 28:18–20).
We need to make it our goal to find the old paths that God said will bring rest to our souls. Doing so will provide us with everything we need to please Him so we can receive the heavenly reward.
