We say we believe the Bible, and claim it to be God’s holy word, and yet accept the new versions of the Bible that are being written. We accept these versions, well knowing there are whole scriptures being left out and many are being rewritten.

But you say you believe the Bible when you say that you are talking about the King James Version that was written in 1611. It’s been tried and retried. It has been accepted over and over as the infallible word of God.

We say we believe it should this be true with you, how can you get around (Revelation 22:18-19): “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him plagues that are written in this book, and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy. God shall take away his part out of this book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

For those of us who love God’s holy word, God is quick, and well to remember that “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). In 1st Timothy 5:22, we find we are not to be a “partaker of other men’s sins, keep thyself pure.”

From its very nature, a holy life in the world today brings antagonism and persecution — this we can count on. In the old time religion, that of the prophets and the apostles, they were radical in the denunciations of sin and worldliness. We read of Achan’s sin had brought defeat to Israel at Ai. God had refused to be with them anymore until they destroyed the accursed from among them (Joshua 7:12).

We read when David, who was King, committed sin, adultery and murder. The prophet Nathan was specific and to the point and faithfully cried out “Thou art the Man” (2nd Samuel 12:7). We must not forget Elijah, who fearlessly pronounced the judgment of God upon the wicked Ahab and the painted, jewelry bedecked Jezebel because of their sins (1st Kings 18:17-18).

Isaiah had a burning message from God, the same message that very much needs to be preached in our churches today. He rebuked the proud daughters of Zion, because of their worldly attire (Isaiah 3:16-24). The Apostle Paul spoke out plainly against worldly adornment, when he commanded that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety — not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array (1st Timothy 2:9).

Peter preached much the same message, saying “whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold or of putting on of apparel. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves” (1st Peter 3:3-5).

We see the farther away any movement gets from the Bible, the more lenient it becomes, taking the people farther from the truth of God’s Word. Any ministry that does not cry out against specific forms of sin and worldliness is blind to its responsibility to God, the church, and the lost world.

The old time religion brought persecution. We know the prophets were not popular men; they were hated, ridiculed and despised. Jesus himself said, “they shall put you out of the synagogues, yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God a service” (John 16:2 ).

There is a tragedy here in our day that so many can be at ease in Zion, with a nation paralyzed in the grip of sin. How can church members go from day to day with tearless eyes and light hearts, feasting and frolicking here and there. They are “lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God” (2nd Timothy 3:4).

What has happened to the old time religion, where did it go? May God help us to preach and to live the old time religion, because it is the only kind that will take us to heaven (Jeremiah 6:16). Ask for the old paths, where is the good way.