Ask for the Old Paths

Righteousness exalts a nation but

Sin is a reproach to any people—Prov.14:34

 

            Very often we quote this passage.  We are familiar with the text but devoid of its practicality.  We love to read or cite the verse but we despise its instructions.

            Our physical and spiritual impoverishment today proceeds from our willful rejection of its profound truth.

            Righteousness exalts a nation.  Nothing else does.  No other way, except the path of righteousness, leads to the blessings and approval of God.

            The storehouse of God’s gifts and peace is never unlocked by a nation utilizing the key of unrighteousness.

            Sin surely is a reproach to any people. Indulgence in it places a barrier between a sinful nation and God. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden his face from you—Isa.59:2.

            Thus it becomes clear that separation from God, estrangement from the source of life, and being left to our own chosen paths are consequences of sin.

            Sober reflection is therefore paramount at this point in our national life.  It is of great importance that we heed the wisdom of the risen Lord. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch I will not watch I will come upon you as a thief and you will not know what hour I will come upon—Rev.3:3

            We are admonished to remember how we have received and heard the gospel.  The Son of God calls our attention to the very things we have neglected.

            How then have we received and heard? Many of us are familiar with the history of this nation.  Sierra Leone is a mixture of people from different countries descended from the slaves of old who joined the descendants of the original natives of this land, all of whom held to animistic and pagan practices of their ancestors.

            Nevertheless the Lord chose this nation for His purpose. Missionaries at the command of the Lord left their families and comfort zones to preach the gospel, which our parents welcomed and received.

            Freetown was given birth.  The word of the Lord gained acceptance and Christianity spread rapidly like a wild bush fire.

            The nations fame traveled worldwide and other countries responded by sending their natives to study the word of God here in Sierra Leone.

            This was how we heard and received: [1] Through the freed slaves, we observed that Jesus alone can set us free from the bondage to sin [Jn.8:36]. [2] Through the missionaries, we saw that nothing is too great to be sacrificed for the sake of the gospel [Lk.14:33].

            Our forefathers received this truth in word and deed, and all was well with them. Peace was known because righteousness was their only frame of reference. Notable nations, such as Nigeria, who are doing relatively well today in Christianity, heard the gospel through missionaries trained in Sierra Leone.

            Christianity grew then in quantity and quality so that this nation was rated as Christian and appreciated by different nations because of it.

            Sometimes when I listen to the songs composed by the freed slaves, the depth of our present darkness becomes palpable. My soul weeps because it becomes obvious that our present generation has both forsaken the Lord and betrayed the blood and faith of those who previously had gallantly upheld the way of righteousness.

            But what happened? How did we fall from grace? Why do we now abide in disgrace? The Bible says, it is because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord. They would have none of My counsel and despised My every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled to the full with their own fancies—Prov.1:29-31.

            Sobering but true. This present generation hates God. We despise the old paths that our forefathers trod. Our wayward hearts pulsate with cries of independence from God.

            Indeed the Scriptures rightly testify, the backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above—Prov.14:14. One need not search far to see that we have forsaken the ways of God and replaced them with our own ways. Yet the word of God stands sure: …My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than you thoughts—Isa.55:8-9.

            The devastating effects of the war are still visible in our lives today. But that is a far less disaster in comparison to being left to our own ways.

            Being left to our own desires and ways is the severest of punishments possible. It leaves us with no other option than to eat of the fruits of our self-chosen oaths.

            God in heaven does not delight in leaving a people to their own ways, but because of their stubborn insistence, He gives them up to their evil desires. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness, they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them—Rm.1:28-32.

            You only need to take a walk on the streets of Freetown to see the reality of these verses. Promiscuity is a culture second to none. Married and unmarried, young and old, literate and illiterate will be found grievously employed in the shame of immorality.

            Virgins if existent, are rarer than diamonds. Naked girls and women abuse the essence and privilege of womanhood as they parade publicly in offensive clothing.

            The flames of HIV/AIDS awareness programs are extinguishing under the onslaught of the incessant quest for unholy passions.

            The young men are not left out, who seem to have an anointing from the pit of hell. With plaited or permed hair, female facial ornaments, factory boots and baggy shorts they peruse the streets seeking occasions for violence while tirelessly loiter in pubs and dance halls.

            The adults have forsaken the wisdom of God that should accompany age. Instead, they have denied the faith, which was once and for all delivered to the saints—Jud.3. It is disheartening and shameful to observe that they continue to champion the ancestral traditions, while the youths joyfully and dutifully emulate them.

            Is this the worship that the Father has chosen. Does Christ approve of so-called Christians who frequent the public dance halls? Isn’t there something terribly wrong when professing Christians are seen rejoicing behind masked devils who parade the streets? Isn’t the Holy Spirit grieved to observe the hateful abominations of flagrant immorality in our midst?

            Ours is a sorry state. It is painful when we come to observe that it doesn’t bother anyone that our decay is steady and sure. Ah! Sierra Leone, your glory has departed! Posterity continues to be born into servitude, while the living is continually baptized into death.

            Ichabod! The glory has departed!! The former desire of West Africa is now the least nation on earth. Oh!! What have we done? Oh! Sierra Leone, once a garden of God’s delights, now a desolate wasteland, an ignominious war-torn ruin! Sierra Leone, once a Christian nation, now a gentile landmass! Formerly arrayed in majesty with a lion’s heart, presently stripped in shame with a traitor’s soul

            Listen to the word of the Lord whose ways you despise; …I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before me into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?—Jer.2:21

            How shall we answer the challenge? What shall we now say to our Maker, knowing fully well that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hand of the living God?—Heb.10:31

            We have no option than to forsake all our churchianity for true godliness. With deep regret over our treacherous dealings with our savior, and discontent with our sinful way of life, let us approach the Lord and say, O Lord our God, masters besides you have been displeased; oh, restore us again—Ps.60:1.

            The Lord Himself has spoken; If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land—2Chr.7:14.

            If we will truly respond to God’s voice, the Lord will surely be merciful. He will in no wise cast away any who come to Him. No, not even Sierra Leoneans.

 

Come and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn,

But He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up—Hos.6:1

           

Written by Ade--Peters       

http://gospelfromtheheartofafrica.com

 

Brother Peters near the village of Rotaprr in Sierra Leone, West Africa.

A Bible teacher and Gospel preacher, Temitope Adewole (Peters) desires to help make disciples for the Lord Jesus.