We hear a lot these days about being "progressive".  In the political world the term is used to justify moving away from time honored precepts on which our country was founded.  Those who describe themselves as "progressive" feel they are wise and "open minded"; more intelligent and educated than those whom they deride as being "stuck in the past".  Anyone desiring to stick to unchanging precepts is accused of "turning back the clock".  The "turning back the clock" argument is itself often disingenuous, meant more as a conversation stopper than as a serious point, and designed to make those who hold traditional views appear very old fashioned.

  The same mindset has crept into the church.  Not long ago I heard a conference speaker glowingly introduced as "the pastor of a progressive church".  Most folks in the audience likely missed the significance of that remark.  But some knew it meant he was not one to cling to "outdated" concepts such as holiness and separation from the world.  In other words, not "anti-progress".

  But progress really means getting nearer to the place you need to be.  And if you have taken a wrong  turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer.  If you are on the wrong road, progress means turning around and going back to the right road, and in that case the person who turns back sonest is the most progressive.  To get nearer the place we need to be, we may have to correct some mistakes, and revisit some disastrously wrong turns.  It may require repentance and swallowing fleshly pride.

  Jeremiah 6:16 teaches, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therin, and ye shall find rest for your souls."

Praying for you,
Pastor Ritchey