| Back | Contents | Next |
{Sermons on Ephesians 5:15
The Doctrine Explained
Precisians Are the Sort Who Walk in the Right Way
The Right Way Described
The Old and Good Way}
The first guidepost is the old and good way, which is the right way. That is the way they are commanded to inquire after and take. “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls’” (Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV). Stand in the ways and see. There are many ways in the world: some that are obviously the way of death, and not a few that pretend to be the way of life. If you wish to know which of all these ways is the right one, ask for the old path, the good way. The old path is that which was from the beginning. Godliness is no innovation; it is as old as the world. “That which was from the beginning … we declare to you” (1 John 1:1). Thus, it is also the good way as well as the old way. Antiquity alone is not enough to prove that we are in the right. There is an evil way that is an old way; the way of sin is very ancient. The right way is the old and good way, with a threefold good: profitable, pleasant, and honest. Although the right way has both profit and pleasure in it, the distinctive character of it is that it is the honest way, the way of righteousness, mercy, holiness, and so on. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV). This is the good way: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8–9 ESV).
| Back | Contents | Next |