Part Three Old Paths

I conclude this post on Old Paths
The church should follow the path of instruction.
In the book of Deuteronomy I find a very interesting story of Moses. Up to this point Moses had been the leader of the nation of Israel, both from a spiritual and political standpoint. He had over come many hardships and had passed through many a valley. He stood on the mountaintop and visited with God. But this story is about none of these events. We find Moses is dying. He has called all of Israel together to instruct them one last time what they are to do. You will remember Moses had angered God and God told him he could not go into the Promised Land. So as the Nation of Israel is preparing to cross the Jordan River Moses is preparing to meet his maker. Before he goes he has one last thing he has to do. That is to give Israel a final instruction. As is the case with old men Moses is recalling the wilderness journey. He is reminding Israel as a grandparent would a young child where they came from and where they were going. A good grandparent will always give their grandchildren the benefit of their age and years of learning. Most of that learning earned through hard knocks. If the children are wise they will listen. If not they are in for some trying times.
I think the conversation Moses was having with Israel went something like this.
“Now you remember what I told you when I came down off the mountain and found Aaron building a golden calf. Boy, if you could have seen your faces when I broke the commandments God had just given me. If you only knew how mad you made God. I remember standing watching God carve the commands in the stone when He said Moses you better get back down my children are doing things they shouldn’t do. You knew better than to worship other gods but there you were in prone position bowing down to that dumb statue, and it wasn’t even a very good statue. Enough of that, I want you to remember the Lord God and Him only shall you serve. Don’t forget who brought you out of Egypt. Out of the mud pits and out of the pain of slavery. You need to fear the Lord. Now, where you are going there are people who serve strange gods. Don’t let yourself get dragged into their brand of worship. Serve only the Lord God Almighty. Keep His commandments and do like He says. Don’t tempt Him or make Him mad, as you are prone to do. Do that which is right in His sight. Keep in mind that you are a holy people chosen of God. Kind of makes you special.
Now when you get to the Promised Land there are certain things you need to do. Remember where you came from and what you came through these past forty years. Don’t be afraid and don’t do anything stupid. The Lord gave me some instructions for you. First He said you were to fear him and walk in all his ways. You were to love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Keep his commandments and his statutes. Keep in mind that the heavens and the earth belong to the Lord. The Lord wanted me to remind you that the land to which you are going is full of hills and valleys. It is a land God Himself cares about. Do not forget that if you turn to strange gods that the wrath of God can and will be kindled against you. You sure don’t want that to happen. ‘Cause if that does happen I’m telling you from experience you are going to die. All you are to do is go in and possess the land. The Lord said that he would set before you a blessing and a curse. A blessing if you follow what he told you to do and a curse if you don’t listen. I guess the last thing I’d tell you is this; you can’t rest on this side of the river. You have to cross over to the other side; there you can rest after you have possessed the land. The Lord will see to that. Do what I tell you don’t change or add to my instructions. Now go get across the river and start to enjoy all that the Lord has promised you.”
That’s not all Moses had to say to Israel, for that you will have to read the book. I feel a lot of the same words could be said to the church today. Go and possess the land. No it’s not going to be an easy land. He didn’t say you were going to be the most popular person in town. But He did say He would bless if you would go. I think God is watching His church today, just like He watched Israel, and shaking His head. Saying, “ When will they learn? When will they listen?” I’m pretty sure God is not concerned with what we did yesterday. Or what we plan on doing tomorrow. But you can rest assured He is very concerned with what we are doing today. Remember yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.

The church today may have made God mad. How, you say? Well, by what she worships. Many worship the buildings, the programs, the buses, the preachers, the schools and the Lord only knows what else. I’m sure God is not at all pleased with what the church is doing today. In fact I’d bet Jesus wouldn’t even recognize some that claim to be a church.
Jesus gave us a very simple task. “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Now to the best of my knowledge, that means that the church is to go. The church is by definition an assembly of called out believers. Not an assembly of called out preachers, elders, bishops, popes or any other office in the church. John said in John9: 4 “I must work the work of Him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.”
I do not believe the church today wants to possess the land. For if they did nothing could stop the salvation of the lost or the addition to the church. I believe the mark is three thousand a day. I believe all the church today wants to do is set back and argue over which man made doctrine is right. I also believe the wrath of God is being kindled against the church.
Whew! That was a mouth full. What evidence do I have to support such claims? Well take a look at the evening news, look at how many different churches there are on every corner and listen to all the TV preachers who want you to send money to the Lord but give their address. Look at all the crime and violence in our city streets and the mess our government continually stays in. History repeats itself. Rome was once a mighty empire but lust greed and lack of conviction brought it to its knees. Are we on that same road?