Jeremiah 6:16-19 BSB (Berean Standard Bible)
This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look.
Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’
Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
17I appointed watchmen over you and said,
‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’
But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’
18Therefore hear, O nations,
and learn, O congregations,
what will happen to them.
19Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people,
the fruit of their own schemes,
because they have paid no attention to My word
and have rejected My instruction.”
The Crossroads
When we hear the word “crossroads” we are probably likely to
think of two roads which cross (intersect) each other. When we get there we can
choose to go left or right or straight (forward) or backwards. “Straight” would
be to continue on the path we are already on, which could be good or bad.
Backwards is usually the wrong way, the way of returning to our sin. And since
left is the opposite of right, and right has to do with the way of
righteousness, left would be the wrong way. We want the righteous way.
Why does it say to ask for the “ancient paths”? I believe it
is because for us now, anyway, the modern way is not the way of righteousness
and of holiness and of obedience to our Lord and the forsaking of our sins. The
modern way teaches us that all we have to do is to give lip service to God and
now all our sins are forgiven and heaven is now what awaits us. But that is a
lie from hell. Jesus taught that we must deny self, die to sin, and obey His
commands if we want salvation from sin and eternal life with God.
The Good Way
The good way is determined by God and not by human flesh.
When we choose the good way we are crucified with Christ in death to sin, and
we are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life in Him, no longer to live
as slaves to sin but now as servants of God and of His righteousness. Thus, we
are no longer to permit sin to reign in our mortal bodies to make us obey its
desires. For if sin is what we obey, it results in death. But if obedience to
God is what we obey, its end is eternal life with God (see Romans 6:1-23).
For God’s grace, which is bringing us salvation, is training
us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,
upright, and godly lives while we wait for Jesus’ return. For it is not the one
who claims he is “in Christ” who is “in Christ,” but it is the one who has
denied self, died with Christ to sin, and who is now walking in obedience to
our Lord and to His commands, in practice, and no longer in sin. We have the
hope and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven (see Titus 2:11-14; 1
John 1-3).
Walk In It
It is not enough just for us to know the ways of
righteousness, but we must walk in them. It is not enough to just give lip
service to God, but we must do what God commands that we must do as His
followers. It is not enough to just read the Bible and pray or to memorize
Scripture verses, but the Word of God intended for us who believe in Jesus
Christ must be put into daily life practice. We must live what we say we
believe and not just mouth the words of faith. And we don’t just attend “the
church.” We are to be The Church!
Will You Not Listen?
Sadly, many people who profess faith in Jesus Christ with
their lips are not living the life in Christ they profess to have. They give
lip service to God, but their hearts are far from Him. For they are still living
for the sinful pleasures of the flesh and not to please God. Even though God’s
Word teaches them that they must die to sin, and obey God’s commands in life
practice, they claim that their professions of faith in Jesus are enough for them
to have forgiveness of all sins and heaven as their eternal destiny with God.
Because they will not listen to God and to the teachings of
Christ and of His New Testament apostles, but they go their own stubborn way,
instead, because they do not want to give up their sins, they will come under
the judgment of God. For one day Jesus Christ is coming back, and all of us
will stand before Him on the day of judgment. And not everyone who calls Him “Lord”
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the ones DOING God’s will. And many who
refused Him and His commandments will hear Him say to them, “I never knew you;
depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!”
[Matthew 7:13-14,21-23; Luke 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts
26:18; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:5-10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:1-23; Romans
8:1-14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10,19-20; 1
Corinthians 10:1-22; 2 Corinthians 5:10,15,21; Galatians
5:16-24; Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:3-6; Titus 2:11-14;
Hebrews 3:1-19; Hebrews 4:1-13; Hebrews 10:19-39; Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:24;
1 John 1:1-10; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:4-10; Revelation 2:1-29; Revelation
3:1-22]
Ask For the Ancient Paths
An Original Work / October 22,
2026
Christ’s Free
Servant, Sue J Love
An
Original Work / September 11, 2012
Christ’s
Free Servant, Sue J Love
Recording Via Gerry Peters, music
producer and arranger
Bombs are bursting. Night is falling.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Trust Him with your life today.
Make Him your Lord and your Savior.
Turn from your sin. Follow Jesus.
He will forgive you of your sin;
Cleanse your heart, made new within.
Men betraying: Our trust fraying.
On our knees to God we’re praying,
Seeking God to give us answers
That are only found in Him.
God is sovereign over all things.
Nothing from His mind escaping.
He has all things under His command,
And will work all for good.
Jesus Christ is gently calling
You to follow Him in all ways.
Men deceiving: We’re believing
In our Lord, and interceding
For our nation and its people
To obey their God today.
He is our hope for our future.
For our wounds He offers suture.
He is all we need for this life.
Trust Him with your life today.
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