Musick-al note # 183
In days long ago, the prophet Jeremiah quoted the Lord who said, “stand at the crossroad and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). Israel had strayed from God’s way into their own selfish ways unknowingly going to destruction as they followed false teachings. They were saying that they had the law of the LORD, not knowing that those leaders were handling His Word deceitfully (Jeremiah 8:8). Which means that their leaders were changing God’s Word and leading them astray! Destruction and despair followed for they turned from God to their own ways and refused to listen and obey Him.
Has this never happened again? Are men any different today when they are led by teachers who handle the Word of God deceitfully and never consider what is written in God’s Word? Shouldn’t we be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures to prove Paul’s teaching to be true (Acts 17:11) to also prove our preachers and teachers are true to the Word of God? John wrote that these words were written that we might believe (Acts 20:31). We dare not follow any teaching, action, promotion, requirement or position that does not have its foundation in the Word. To say that anything that is not prohibited is insufficient to our doing, believing and supporting it which would allow anything to enter our lives. How much better to follow that which is written. Peter said that we have been give all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter1:3) so we should not add to nor take from those things that are written (Revelation 22:18-19).
We must study the old paths – the words given by the Lord and His apostles to follow them in following Christ (2 Peter 3:2, 17). Listen carefully to what you see and hear, then test each by the Word of God, for many use the Word deceitfully and follow their own agenda or direction to which they lead. God will judge everyone by the Word as He has given it. Note these verses (Psalms 119:89, John 12:48-50, Romans 14:11-12, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27), Seek the old paths, it is a good way, follow it and you will be blessed.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 