How can we find the true way to God among countless religious paths and self-proclaimed spiritual leaders in the world? Brother Eli Soriano enlightens us on this issue, making a reminder that we should seek the “old path” - the way of the Lord. Let us reflect on what he teaches and see why it is important to walk on God’s path.
Brother Eli Soriano begins by quoting Jeremiah 6:16:
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."
The verse is very significant as it instructs men to search out “the old paths” or ”former ways”. But why does God insist on going back to our roots? The answer lies in a comparison between God’s way and false teachers.
Bro. Eli cited Isaiah 56:11 as follows:
"They are greedy dogs which can never have enough. And they are shepherds that cannot understand. They all look to their own way, everyone for his gain from his quarter."
This verse gives strong imagery of charlatans driven by greed and self-interest. These pastors who can also be called “shepherds” are portrayed as voracious dogs that do not get satisfied since their main motivation is self-centeredness rather than spiritual welfare of those following them.
Brother Eli Soriano explain futher quoting the Bible verse found in Ecclesiastes 5:10:
"He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This is also vanity."
These verses warn us about men of God who profit under the guise of religion, constantly extorting money from ‘believers’ and using it for their own gain. They have made for themselves different paths which are contrary to God’s way.
All this has come to pass in our modern world. In today’s world there are millions of denominations. Each represents a different “way” which were invented by the pastors in order to exploit people.
In all this confusion, God’s word itself takes on special relevance: “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.”
But what does old path means? Read what Brother Eli say? He uses Ephesians 2:10 as an example:
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
It shows that a way that we must follow was predestinated by God long before our creation. Like train rails laid down before a locomotive engine arrives at its destination-our lives had already been charted by Him.
That is why it is called “Ang Dating Daan” or old path (in Filipino). It's not new or created by humans; it existed even before we were born.
Brother Eli affirm that "the old way" is the way of the lord. In fact, he quotes Hosea 14: 9 which says:
"Who can be wise? He will realize these things. Who can understand them? Prudent and he shall know them. For the ways of the lord are equal: and the just shall walk in them: but they transgress therein."
God’s commandments, teachings, and ordinances are his ways. These good works are those which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
To walk in His path involves leaving behind worldly vices and sinful behaviors. It might be drunkardness or fornication or lying or any other sin; we have to leave all these sins if we want to enter into God’s path.
This is similar to being “created in Christ Jesus unto good works.” Therefore walking in God’s way means living according to His standards and following those great things which He has ordained for us.
Calling on Everyone to Choose The Right Path
The teaching of Brother Eli Soriano reminds us that it is very important that one should make a decision that would enable us receive spiritual gifts from God. We must therefore respond to thi call and be warned of many religious leaders who create their own paths just so they could profit from it.
This reflection necessitates a consideration of our personal spiritual journey; are we obeying our Lord or have we been sidetracked by self serving other religious ways? The Bible clearly testifies to one thing: that God’s way was prepared since time immemorial and it is now up to us to find it and walk in it.
