It has been said that the first generation buys the truth, the second enjoys it, and the third squanders it. As we trace this principle through many families we see the truth of it borne out. The grandfather was saved and gathered out to the Lord's name, often at great cost. Fathers followed in his steps, but sometimes the children-for one reason or another-gave it up.
When we look into the Old Testament at the history of the children of Israel, we find that man is ever consistent in this principle. Time after time we read of a turning back to God-a revival that would find them cleaving to the Lord in faith and obedience. But before long there was a despising of the Word of the Lord-a mingling among the nations-so that they were as those who knew not God.
The secret of blessing and peace for God's people in all times has been their separation to the Word of God. When this is given up, the drift away begins (Heb. 2:1).
For our own exercise and profit, let us look at two underlying causes for this giving up of that which earlier generations counted dear. May this be used to alert some reader to "turn again."
First of all, there is a natural hankering after something new. We live in a day when that which is old, even though tried and proven, has been brought under suspicion. People question whether the old ways really are the best ways-whether old truths can still be acted upon. Our children in the pubic schools are taught to question the standards of their parents, and this attitude spills over into the things of God.
New freedom, new morality, new styles, new fashions, new ideas and new evangelism are terms that appeal. Something new and different; we are told, is necessary to make Christianity relevant in our times. It is amazing how often this thought is expressed today and how deeply concerned many are about arresting it by making Christianity acceptable to modern man by revamping and revising it. The Scripture in Acts 17 comes to mind, where the Athenians were described as people who "spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some NEW thing."
There is a Scripture that ought to be grasped, memorized and lived by all of our young people, for it expresses a great truth, indeed, a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: "Ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls" (Jer. 6:16).
This, I suppose, was not any more popular in Jeremiah's day than it is today. But the popularity of a Scripture does not alter its truth. Here it stands, introduced by a "Thus saith the Lord," given by divine inspiration from the throne of God Himself, telling us for all generations, and for all ages to come, "Ask for the old paths... and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."
Was there an eager acceptance of this key to peace and blessing? The answer is given in the last part of the same verse: "We will not walk therein... We will not hearken." Their whole concern was for the moment-the satisfaction of their own desires, with no thought as to obeying the Word of the Lord. Everyone was doing that which was right in his own eyes for his own pleasure; but oh! the awful price they paid!
Christendom is rent asunder with this same spirit of modernism. Hundreds of divisions have fragmented the body of believers-many brought about because of the refusal to follow in the paths of the early church as presented in the Scriptures. We are thus surrounded by organizations that have supplanted the Holy Spirit, but were established as a better way to make Christianity relevant, thus setting themselves apart from the body of believers.
But the Scriptures declare that there is one body, of which all believers are a part; and we have been instructed to maintain that testimony. (See Rom. 12:4; 1 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 4:3, 4.) Remember too that we do not find our Lord commending His people for success, but for faithfulness (Luke 12:42, 43 Cor. 4:2).
The second reason why the children may not seek the old paths that earlier generations have walked in, is that they have seen no joy in such a course. The parents have not adorned the doctrine (Titus 2:10); their lives have not attracted their children to seek the same path. How would the children be encouraged to follow a hard, legal and unhappy way where there is no joy? What a sad commentary on those who, of all people, ought to live in the atmosphere of joy.
It is not easy to be a faithful Christian in a Godless world, but it is our Lord's desire that our joy be full now (John 16:24; 15:11; 17:13). He has put a new song in our mouth (Psalm 40:3), and nothing shall separate us from His love (Rom. 8:39). Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice"? Phil. 4:4.
May He give us the desire and the grace to search out the old paths, and walk in them, for peace, rest and blessing are to be found there.
Beloved, may you and I buy the truth, and so adorn the doctrine that our children will observe by our lives that we serve a good Master, and that it is a joy to follow in the path of His choosing