The Heaton File

Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” (Matthew 23:1-4)

Religious Hypocrisy

The nation of Israel was much changed from the royal days of David and Solomon when Jesus began His ministry. For nearly six hundred years, the people of God had been subjected to the rule of the Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks and in the days of Jesus, the Roman Empire. The organizational structure of the Jewish community had created sects called the Pharisees, Sadducee’s, Nazarene’s and the Herodians. Worship was found in synagogues following the Babylonian exile. Many of the conflicts Jesus had with His detractors were from His own people and especially the scribes and Pharisees. As a ruling class among the Jews, the Pharisees wielded the greatest influence. Driven by envy and arrogance, the Pharisees sought to trap Jesus in His teaching and constantly harassed Him wherever He went. Near the end of His life, the Lord put forth a clear statement on the nature of the Pharisees as much a warning to the disciples as it was to let the Jewish elite know He clearly saw the corruption of their hearts. The scribes and Pharisees acted as if they spoke for Moses when they declared the law to the people. A scribe was a man who studied, examined and interpreted the Law of Moses. Originally this was the work of the priests but in time became a profession on its own creating a class of scholars that would studiously examine and declare the legal renderings of the Law. They would have a great deal of influence over the people. The sect of the Pharisees closely aligned themselves with the scribes as those who explained the law to the people devoting themselves diligently to the law. Jesus would have none of this. It was hypocrisy for the leaders to interpret the law to their own advantage binding heavy burdens on the people yet not finding a reason to impose the law upon themselves.

Jesus astonished the people when He challenged the authority of the scribes and Pharisees. He admonished the multitudes to follow the Law of Moses but to reject the examples of the religious leaders as they failed to follow the law in their own life. It was easy for the scribes and Pharisees to demand the people be holy and not bind those same burdens of their lives because they were the teachers of the law. Keeping the law was needful for the people but they had to be aware the Jewish leaders were accountable to keep the law also. Hypocrisy is when a man tells another to be holy and does not follow the same path of holiness. They make the pretense of being students of the law but fail to see the application in their lives as necessary. Jesus tells the multitudes to do what the law says but do not follow the example of the scribes and Pharisees. Sadly, the religious leaders made the law difficult on the people by the manner of binding the laws that would make it hard for the common man to be justified yet finding no need to obey the same law.

Salvation is offered to all men because all men are in need of salvation. God makes no distinction between men. Whether rich or poor, young and old, free or slave, and male and female, Jesus died for all men for the same reason and the same purpose. The law applies to the scribe and Pharisee as much as it does to the common Jew who might be a carpenter, fishermen or tax collector. When Jesus built His church He invited all men to come to the judgment seat of the Father to receive His grace without distinction of color, gender, nationality or social status. When a man teaches another to obey the word of God, that same man must obey the word of God. Hypocrisy is found in the hearts of those who demand others live a stricter life of law-keeping than themselves. Modern-day mega preachers find themselves preaching one thing and living another. It is easy for a person to judge another because of their station of life and condemn them for the unfortunate circumstances they are in yet having no compassion to save their souls and help. Jesus condemns hypocrisy. No one has a greater need or lesser need for salvation. All men are created in the image of God and all men fall short of the glory of God and all men must obey the will of the Father. The man who is a devoted scholar of the Bible is just as much in need of forgiveness as the prostitute, drug user, murderer and reprobate of the world. Jesus brought a message of salvation for every soul without distinction or separation. For God so loved the world and He did not leave anyone out. You and I both are in need of Christ.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Leadership In The Church

The church was in the mind of God before time began. Established in the eternal ages as the embodiment of His grace, the church of Christ represents the body of saved individuals who have subjected themselves to the will of the Son. Jesus is King of the kingdom, Savior of the redeemed, spiritual groom of the church, head of the body and Lord of all those who subject themselves to His rule. When the Father ordained the organization of the church, He placed men in the position of authority to rule according to His will and His word. Jesus would die, raise from the dead but would ascend to rule at the right hand of the Father leaving the work of the church to those entrusted with guiding the spiritual flock of God. First, the twelve apostles established the church. As the church began to grow, elders were ordained in every church. The apostle Paul traveled extensively establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire and ordaining elders. The apostle exhorted Timothy and Titus in their respective letters to be mindful of the work of ordaining qualified men to serve as elders or bishops of the church. Peter was not only an apostle but served as an elder himself. We know from the gospels Peter was married and he writes in his first epistle that he also served as an elder showing he had children. In his letter, Peter exhorts other elders to serve with dignity and spiritual oversight. Leadership was required of those who took on the mantle of shepherding the flock of God. Like a man guarding a flock of sheep, the elder was a man who provided, protected and provisioned the church with all their spiritual needs. An elder was an overseer or bishop of the flock with no distinction being made between the two terms. Like a man who looks over the sheep entrusted to him, an elder is a man who carries out the work of looking after the souls of each one of his members.

Overseeing a local congregation of God’s people can be an exhausting task. Men who desire the office of the bishop must do so with a willing and happy heart without constraints of the will of men. Serving as an elder should never be compulsory and demanding if a man has no desire. Not everyone is suited for the role of overseer and the man who desire the office must have a spirit of love to do the work. The hours are long and tedious, challenging in many ways and often without acknowledgment. Key to the work of elders is the pleasing answer from the Lord for a work well done. There is a clear pattern for elders to serve in a full-time capacity was wards of the church. It was not unusual for a man to serve as an elder and to be supported by the church. There is an immense amount of work to be done requiring many long hours. It is not as common today for a man to leave his secular job and serve as an elder with support from the local congregation. Peter warns his fellow elders to serve not as a job to gain money but an eager spirit of serving the Lord in the role of leadership.

One of the most important roles of church leadership was the heart of a man who leads the flock of God in a humble and quiet manner. The apostle warns against the spirit of domination where a man demands the members follow his word in a dictatorial manner of lording over the brethren. God does not approve of men who force their will upon the members. The church has been entrusted to the elders to tend, feed, protect and nurture without the constraints being a spiritual bully forcing their wills upon the people. Leaders lead by showing the path of righteousness in their lives so that others will follow. If a man leads and no one follows he is only going for a walk. The art of leadership is showing men how to walk and walking that way themselves. Elders serve best when they model their lives after the example of Jesus Christ so that others may imitate them as they imitate Christ. The family of an elder should be a pattern of godliness from the wife and children to the elder himself. Finally, the elder should realize that he serves only at the pleasure of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Everyone will receive a reward according to the abilities and responsibilities of life. Teachers will receive a heavier judgment because they teach the word of God with greater accountability. A man who serves as an elder will be held to a higher standard as he watches out for the souls of those entrusted to him. When Jesus, the Chief Shepherd appears, then will the elder receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. God will say, “Well done,” and what a special greeting that will be for one of His shepherds to come home to glory. Thanks to all those men who serve with nobility and graciously as spiritual leaders of God’s church.

For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” (Genesis 18:19)

The Epitaph Of A Great Father

William S. Morris has well said, “The Christian renewal will take place only if the father, the head of the Christian home, regains effective spiritual leadership. (“The Father, The Head of the Home, 1953) The feminist movement of the 1960s has wreaked havoc on the stability of the home as fatherhood has been demeaned, decried and declared ancient history from an oppressive society. Television has portrayed the male role in the home as one short of a mutated brain dead caveman out of touch with the world where the woman dominates everything and the children rule the mother. The home has become a place of dysfunction, disarray, and despair. This is not a new phenomenon as Socrates said more than 2,000 years ago: “Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, they gobble their food, and they terrorize their teachers.” As in every generation when the leadership is destroyed the home will crumble and society will suffer. What is needed is for the creative order of God’s design to be instilled in the hearts of men who are willing to take up the standard of fatherhood and lead the family in the manner prescribed by the word of God. Abraham was a man who understood the need of being a leader in the home and the heavenly Father recognized the character of this godly man. No greater praise can a man receive than to be acknowledged by God that he is known as a godly father. All the accolades in the world can never measure what the Lord thinks of a man and his leadership in the home. When the father molds his character after the word of God, he will command his children and his household after him. He must lead first so the family can follow. Leadership without guidance and instruction is nothing more than going for a walk. Like a shepherd leading his flock, a man must possess the character of leadership that instills in the family a desire to follow. He seeks a higher plane of virtue, a greater sphere of things that are right and a spiritual character that possess godliness as the core system of belief in the home. Abraham exhorted his family to keep the way of the Lord and believe as he did in the promises of God. When the Lord came to Abram at the age of seventy-five, he was told a marvelous thing when he was promised a son. It would be twenty-five years before the promise came true but Abram did not waver in unbelief. Paul would describe how that Abraham did not consider the deadness of Sarah’s womb as a thing to be considered or the advanced age of his own body. As the father of a great family, Abraham had a deep and abiding faith in God and His word.

The epitaph of Abraham was his willingness to keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice. Everything about his life was a readiness to follow the word of God. He left his family and kindred land at the word of God. Later when his son of promise was a young man he did not hesitate when the Lord instructed him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. There was no hesitation on the belief of Abraham. He wanted to do those things that were right and just according to the law of God. His faith was manifested by his works. What moved this man to be a great father was his family could see his faith in his life. His system of belief was not an inner feeling alone but where he went, how he dealt with others, his faith in the promises of God all manifested themselves in the actions of his life. He went from place to place dwelling in tents because God had called him to another land. The promise of a son was believed on and longed for and Abraham accepted the impossible as possible by the God of truth. Abraham believed in things right and just and taught his family the word of God. One of the great lessons from Abraham was how much he believed in the promises of God. He looked for a city that was yet unseen but through the eyes of God, this man of faith could clearly see the promises fulfilled. Abraham was a man of faith and his life exhibited his faith. As a father, he became the leader of the greatest nation the world has ever known although he never saw the fulfillment. He was promised a son and he saw that. The land he was promised was never his and the promised nation would come many generations after his death but as the leader of his home, he taught his family to love and trust God. That is all that mattered and that is how he is remembered.

An epitaph is an inscription that briefly states the life of an individual. The epitaph of Abraham is simply stated as a man who commanded his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, and he accepted the will of the Father in every part of his life as true. There can be no greater message left in the shadows of a life lived in the sunshine of God’s word than a man who leads his home as Abraham led his family. The church will never be as strong as it should be if the men who are charged in the role of fatherhood abandon their obligations to lead as godly men. When spiritual leadership returns to the home, the church will grow. Let the life of Abraham and what God said about his life inspire the fathers of Christian homes to take up the reins of leadership and bring their families to the throne of God.

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

No Longer The Word Of The Prophets

In the early days of the world, God spoke directly to men. Adam and Eve had close communion with God as He walked in the cool of the day in the Garden of Eden. Noah received commands from God to build an ark and Abram was promised wonderful things by the word of the Lord. Prophets became an integral part of how God revealed Himself. Through the guidance of the Holy, Spirit men were moved to speak the oracles of God to instruct the people of God concerning His will. Many prophets remain unknown in scripture as they worked among the early fathers while others rose to prominence like Abraham, Moses, Gad, Nathan, Ahijah, Elijah and Elisha and all the great prophets of the Old Testament writings. During His ministry, Jesus often referred to the prophets and how they spoke of Him fulfilling prophecy. The work of the prophets served a vital role in the completed revelation of God’s will to men but their work was limited in time until the coming of the final mouthpiece of God – Jesus Christ. All authority was given to Jesus as the spokesman of the Father. His words would bring the final conclusion of hope in eternal life. Throughout the centuries the prophets served to bring the hearts of the people to the Lord and while many of them were killed for what they taught, none would die in the manner of the Son of God. The word of truth, the way of life and the hope of eternal life would come through the words of Jesus Christ who is the only spokesman for God. Jesus became the sacrifice that would draw all men to the Father. His word would solidify the words of the prophets as they spoke of Him and told of His life, death, and resurrection. Everything written by the prophets pointed to the image of Jesus Christ and the authority of His word. God spoke for many generations through the avenue of men but in these last day, His word comes from His Son alone.

Understanding the nature of authority is when a person recognizes who has the right to speak for another. Peter made that mistake when on the mountain Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John and the disciple thought it would be a great idea to build a tabernacle for Moses and Elijah who were speaking to Jesus and to build one for the Lord. Moses and Elijah disappeared and a voice came out of Heaven declaring that men should listen to Jesus. Peter had made the mistake of assuming the greatness of Moses and Elijah qualified them as spokesmen of God. They served a purpose in the scheme of man’s redemption but now all men must listen to Jesus and to Him alone. Jesus has been appointed heir of all things, not Moses, Elijah or one of the prophets. The word of the Lord can only be established through the word of Christ. One reason Jesus has all authority is because He created the world and has final authority as the Creator. The Maker of the world came in the form of His creation, suffered and died at the hands of His creation and by the power of God rose from the dead never to die. No prophet has that authority. There are no men today who can embrace that authority and speak for the Father. God spoke through the prophets in various ways like dreams, visions, or speaking to them through His angels or sometimes directly with His voice (as when Jesus was baptized by John). In every case, the prophets spoke as commanded by the Lord. Now in the last days, God has spoken to all men by His Son, Jesus Christ.

The Hebrew writer refers to the prophets of the past and while they served a purpose, the Father declares that Jesus is His spokesman for all time. Today those who seek to find God’s word apart from the will of the Father go beyond the authority of God. Jesus still has all authority and no man has a right to speak for the Father apart from the word of Jesus Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope is represented as “God on earth” and the spokesman for Christ which is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints declares the president of the church as a prophet, seer, and revelator. He is the only one who can receive revelations to guide the Mormons. The Hebrew writer disputes this claim. Many faiths have “prophets” among them that seek to speak for God. If any man speaks a word that is not found in the Bible then he is a false prophet. The Bible is the final word of God and no man can speak a word outside the bounds of holy scrip without incurring the wrath of God for speaking where He has not authorized. If a man speaks what is found in the word of God he is not a prophet but a follower of truth. There is no need for prophets today because God has spoken to all men through His Son and the will of the Father is written down so that men can read and understand the truth of God’s will. Jesus is the only way, the only truth and the only life and no man can usurp the authority of His divine right as spokesman and Creator. Let God be true and every man a liar. Jesus speaks for the Father.

And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified. (Matthew 27:31)

His Walk To Golgotha

In a recent blog about his trip to Jerusalem, Ken Weliever commented on the “fascinating mixture of sights, sounds, and even smells” as they walked around the ancient city. It is incredible to see the places Jesus literally walked as He lived among men so many years ago. The pool of Bethesda is still where it was two-thousand years ago when Jesus healed a man with an infirmity of 38 years. The most significant walk for Ken was when they made their way to the “Via Dolorosa, which is Latin for the way of suffering or the sorrowful way. It is the path tradition says that Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion.” There is no certainty Jesus walked this path but the possibility exists. I could not help but think of the moments after the scourging and mockery by the soldiers of Herod as they lead the Son of God away to be crucified, what Jesus saw along the way, what He heard from the clatter of the city and what smells wafted among his senses as death began to encroach upon His spirit. His walk to Golgotha was filled with all of the sights, sounds, and aromas of a world He had created with His own hand. He knew what remained at the end of His journey. His many journeys to Jerusalem Golgotha would not have been an unknown place for Him. To see a man crucified was not uncommon. Was there a time in the life of Jesus as He walked among the city of David a man was being led away to die by crucifixion and He reflected on the day He would make that walk? Scripture does not tell but the realities of the stench of death would have filled the minds of all who walked among the crowded streets of Jerusalem as men were put to death by the hand of the Romans.

Luke tells us that as Jesus was taken to Golgotha a great multitude of the people followed Him and women who also mourned and lamented Him. Two criminals were taken with Jesus along the path to the cross. Hearing the lamentations of the women, the Son of God exhorted the daughters of Jerusalem to be warned of coming judgment by the same hands that had taken Him away. There was a great and dreadful day coming and Jesus could hear the sounds of those who mourned for Him but He knew a greater dread still was to come. As He walked to the cross, what did the Son of God see? There were many people who looked at Him with derision and eyes of contempt. Some were filled with hatred while others simply looked with disinterest. God’s Son walked among the crowded shops and markets of Jerusalem to be nailed to a cross and He could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him but what He saw in the faces of the people was a need for spiritual light. Jesus would walk to Golgotha to become that light bringing hope in the hearts of the hopeless He saw on the way to the cross. The eyes of Jesus were filled with a world He had created and now was going to kill Him.

As Jesus passed the markets did He smell the varied dishes prepared for sale and hear the cry of those who sold their wares? What did the city smell like when Jesus walked through? The senses of the human body are incredible memory capacitors that embed themselves in the mind. The world was filled with the sense of smell and Jesus drunk deeply as He walked toward Golgotha. He saw the desperate hearts of the people, heard the cries of grief and sorrow and yes laughter and derision from His detractors and inhaled deeply of the beautiful world He had created. His walk to the cross was an experience of all of the senses of the body. Wracked with unyielding pain, weakness, blood loss, and weariness, the Son of God trudged toward the hill of Calvary. The world filled itself with all the sights, sounds and aromas of the city of Jerusalem unaware that in a short time the greatest sacrifice of love would be offered by a man crucified between two thieves. On the cross, Jesus saw the faces of those gathered around including His dearest mother. He looked on the faces of the Romans as they drove the nails in His body He knew why He had come. Many who had come to watch Him die cried out with anger and contempt and Jesus saw their darkened hearts in need of grace. The smell at Golgotha must have been revolting as death was a constant reminder in this place of crucifixion but the sweet aroma of life was about to burst on the pages of man’s existence. Jesus hung on the cross and He saw a world in need of mercy, heard the sorrow of man begging for grace and smelled the victory of eternal life in His death and resurrection. What Jesus saw in His death was the face of His Father, the love of God in sending His only begotten Son and smelled the paradise of redemption as He gave up His Spirit. Let us walk the way of suffering so that we may see what Jesus saw, hear what Jesus heard and smell the grace of God in the death of Jesus.

Who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” (Hebrews 8:5)

Following The Pattern

Shortly after leaving Egypt, the Hebrew refugees arrived at a place where the Lord God would meet with them and create His promised nation to Abraham. The seed promise given to Abram in Haran had been fulfilled through Isaac, the son of promise. Now many generations later, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been freed from the bondage of the Egyptian masters and stood at the foot of the mountain called Sinai. It was here the Lord communed with Moses and delivered the law. The Hebrews were now to be called the nation of Israel. It would be four decades later before the final promise to Abraham is fulfilled as Joshua leads the new generation of Israel across the Jordan River into the promised land. While at Sinai, Israel was instructed in every aspect of the law and the formation of the canon that would make up their legal, cultural and religious laws. The focal point of Israel would be the creation of an ark of acacia wood and the tabernacle that would house the place where the Lord would meet with the people in the Holy of Holies. Moses was given specific instructions regarding the formation of the articles of the tabernacle and the fashioning of the tent of meeting. This would be the center of worship for nearly five hundred years as the nation of Israel wandered in the wilderness and then settled in the land of Canaan. When Solomon became king of Israel, the temple in Jerusalem would become the place of worship for God’s people.

Moses was given instructions on how to construct the tabernacle. He was told what articles to include in the tabernacle like the ark of the covenant, lampstand, table of showbread, altar of incense, and the brazen altar. The tabernacle itself would be called the tent of meeting constructed under the leadership of two men, Bezaleel and Aholiab. It would be 15 feet wide and 45 feet long with the only entrance on the east side. Darrell Hymel describes in his book, ‘A topical study of the Law of Moses’ the “tent consisted of a wooden framework made of 46 identical planks 15 feet long and 2 feet wide. Six of the planks were on the west side with two additional planks which were 9 inches wide. Both the north and south had 20 planks each. All were made with Acacia wood and were overlaid with gold. Over this framework were four separate coverings that made up the roof. The first covering was made of fine-twined linen of blue, scarlet and purple with intricately portrayed cherubim. The second was of pure white goat’s hair. The third was of rams’ skin died red. The tops most covering was either badger skin (NKJV) or porpoise skin (NASV) or sea cows (NIV).” There is one thing certain in the instructions of building the tabernacle: God had a pattern and expected Moses to follow that pattern.

The Hebrew writer uses the story of Moses building the tabernacle as a lesson point to show the necessity of following a divine pattern. Jesus is the perfect High Priest establishing a new covenant built on better promises with greater hope than found in the failings of the Law of Moses. Central to the argument is the necessity of following the pattern of the Lord. Moses was given detailed instructions on how to build the tabernacle and the Lord demanded the people follow that pattern. Any deviation would have brought the displeasure of the Lord. There would have been severe consequences as demonstrated when Nadab and Abihu attempted to offer strange fire which He had not commanded them. The Law of Moses has been abolished. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and His blood. Like the building of the tabernacle, the church of Christ must be formed according to the New Testament pattern. There can be no deviation from the divine pattern without incurring the displeasure of the Lord. The apostle Paul said there is only one body or one church yet the world is filled with thousands of modern-day tabernacles that are not built according to the divine pattern. If Moses were living today he would be astonished at how many different types of tabernacles there are given to men to find their own brand of worship. How many tabernacles were there? According to the law of God, there was only one. How many churches are there? According to the law of God, there is only one. If the church is not patterned after the New Testament model then the church is made by men and not the Lord. Men are divinely instructed when they are about to make the church to see that they make all things according to the pattern shown them in the book: the Bible. The church of Christ has one pattern and one pattern alone. Anything else is not according to the pattern and displeasing to God. Which church do you belong?

Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

Seven Pillars Of The New Testament Church

The disciples of the first century had the advantage of learning firsthand the divine principles of the early church from the preaching of the twelve apostles and instructions of the first church shepherds, teachers, and prophets. What they would learn from the writings of men like Paul, Peter, James and many of the early disciples would form the canon of doctrine that would become the church of Jesus Christ. It was remarkable the church was able to grow so prolifically in a political climate of corruption, deceit, immorality, and despots who ruled with arrogance and ungodly motives. When Paul wrote to the preacher Titus he reminded him to teach the brethren to be set apart from the world and show the character of New Testament Christians as models of godliness. The apostle impresses upon the evangelist seven pillars of identifying marks that show the kind of person the church was made up of and how vital these traits define the nature of the church of God.

The early disciple was a citizen that subjected himself to the rulers and authorities of the Roman Empire; men like King Herod Agrippa, Felix the governor and his replacement Porcius Festus and Caesars like Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, and Titus. All of these men ruled in one form or another during the early church and Paul exhorts the brethren to be subject to them as authorities established by the will of God. The second pillar that identified the New Testament church was the members who were obedient to the rulers and authorities of the Roman Empire. Christians did not have a right to rebel against the power of the Roman government or to malign the system of authority. Only when the law of the land conflicted with the law of God did the disciple of Christ choose to obey God rather than man. The rulers of the Roman Empire were boorish, proud, arrogant, and immoral and in many cases incompetent to rule but the disciple of Christ honored the position of their authority. Instead of defaming the character of the rulers the Christian showed the world his faith by being the third pillar of character in being ready for every good work. The final traits of character of the first century follower of Christ was the refusal by the Christian to speak evil of those in authority, to live peaceably among all men as obedient servants of the Roman Empire, showing gentleness in their dealings with all men and to exhibit a character of humility so that all could see Christ living in their lives daily. Seven pillars of godly character are given by Paul for the disciple to follow as examples of Jesus living in their lives. God loved man so much to give His only begotten Son whom He poured out on all men abundantly to let them be seen as separate from the petty trappings of ungodly character found in those of the world. Christian hearts stand alone in not being those who rebel against government and rulers and those in authority.

The New Testament church can never be restored if the lives of its members refuse to reflect the seven pillars of holiness exhorted by Paul to Titus. For the child of God living in modern America, there is a need for citizens of the heavenly kingdom to subject themselves to the rulers and authorities of this earthly nation as commanded by the Father. At present, there are very few (if any) laws that conflict with the will of God. Those who despise and malign the character of the President of the United States (whether this administration or any of the previous) fail to show the godly character of the New Testament pattern given by the Holy Spirit. In the two hundred plus years of the existence of the United States of America there has never been a time that compares to the days of Caesar Nero and yet Paul and Peter both admonish the citizens of the church to be subject and obey those in authority. The First Century Christian could not speak evil of Herod or Nero and the modern day child of God cannot speak evil of our ruling body of men and women who lead this nation without inflicting the wrath of God and His displeasure. Instead of ranting against the government the person of Christ will be peaceable, gentle and show humility to all men. What sets the New Testament church apart from all others is the character of the person who makes up the church. They are people who are ready to every good work modeling their lives as obedient servants of the rulers – whomever they may be. The Lord God is not a Democrat nor is He a Republican or Libertarian or any such thing. Jesus Christ is head of the church and He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Citizens of the church owe allegiance to Christ and should behave as such.

My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace, they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:1-6)

Young People That Believe In God

There are many things said with each generation of young people that characterize a rebellious, impudent and careless spirit of youth. Often the view of adolescence and young adult are met with disdain and a dispirited heart because of the actions of a few that have no moral compass or guidance from others. Yet there still remains a large body of young hearts that love to spend time with their fellow peers who respect and honor the name of God. Each year I am privileged to spend a week with some of the most sincere people of noble character and pure hearts when we engage in a Bible camp for youth. These are not misguided young people who are forced to accept a particular doctrine of human wisdom but the expression of children who enjoy having a wonderful time of fellowship without all of the trappings of the adult world. There is hope for a world that seems to have gone dark in its hatred, prejudice, violence, and immorality when one-hundred-forty-two young adults come together to sing praises to the Lord, bow the head in prayer, laugh, scream (very loudly), cry when moved by the word of God and recharge their spiritual batteries in a place that is filled with the presence of the Son of God. From time and eternity, the Lord has desired for youth to dwell upon His law and His will. The wisdom literature of holy writ is filled with an admonition for the young to retain the law of God in the minds dwelling upon the commandments of the Lord in their hearts. There are many young people that grow up in the admonition of the Lord free from the guilt and regrets of sexual immorality, drugs, alcohol, hatred, and despair. They struggle with the desires of the flesh, vaunted pride of carnality and the endless temptation of the eye candy from Satan seeking to draw them away into his wickedness but they overcome by the grace of God. Mercy and truth are bound about their necks inscribed as tablets on the hearts that seek the only truth, the only way, and the only life. The world needs to know there are many young people who trust in the Lord who are unwilling to compromise their young beliefs in favor of their heavenly Father. Their paths are directed by the word of God. They love the Lord their God with all their hearts, souls and minds.

The book of Proverbs is replete with admonitions for the young to seek the mercy and truth of God. There are many challenges that face the youth of our age and this is not uncharacteristic of every age. Often it is said the generation of youth are worse than before but the sad tragedy of history is there is nothing new under the sun. When Solomon wrote his proverbs about the struggle of young people he did not express anything different than what the youth of today face. The temptation may be different in form but the character remains the same. When King David was a young man of fifteen he faced a world filled with sin, despair, and hopelessness. What set the son of Jesse apart is he trusted in the Lord. Solomon instructs young people not to forsake the law of God but to keep the commandments of the Lord. There are many young hearts that believe in the Lord and follow His mercy and truth binding them around their necks and finding favor with God and men. Jesus learned of obedience when a young man by following in the will of the Father and the joy of His Father’s grace. The young remind the older the grace of God is a powerful means to attain a life of peace and hope. They see God for who He really is without the trappings of a carnal world. One of the strengths of youth is the purity of heart needed desperately for those adults who have grown callous and hard in their view of the Lord. They are not just innocent hearts but trusting hearts.

Children can be taught to trust in the Lord and mold their hearts to keep the commandments of the Lord. When young hearts are molded in the image of God their lives will be stronger in facing the trials that will come. Binding mercy and truth around their necks will keep the cold winds of despair and hopelessness away. Trusting in the Lord with all their hearts will establish their lives on the rock of salvation known as Jesus Christ. One of the warnings given by Solomon is to not lean on the understanding of self but in all ways acknowledge the power of God allowing His word to direct the steps of the heart. It is a joy to spend time with some people young hearts that embrace the love of God. There will be many trials in the years to come as Satan continues his onslaught of evil against the hearts of God’s people. Thank God for young people who empower their hearts with the love of God and the power of His word who will face the temptations of life resolved in spirit to stand on the testimony of the eternal Father. The value of spiritual wisdom is found in the hearts of those young of hearts. Those who are older should take note and learn.

And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” (1 Kings 22:14)

A Prophet Of Truth

One of the immoral kings of Israel was Ahab, son of Omri. He did more to invoke the wrath of God than any king north or south and driven by his wicked wife, Jezebel, committed atrocities against his own people. The twenty-two years of his rule was filled with debauchery, murder, deceit and human sacrifice of his sons. His reign would come to an end when Jehoshaphat, king of the southern tribes of Judah, came to visit the king of Israel. Ahab was angered that Ramoth in Gilead had not been taken from the Syrians and he asked Jehoshaphat if he would join him in driving out the Syrians. Before going into battle, the king of Judah wanted to inquire for the word of the Lord concerning the attack whether it would be successful or not. The king of Israel gathered his four hundred prophets to ask if he should go against Ramoth and they all with one accord assured Ahab victory. Uneasy about Ahab’s four hundred prophets Jehoshaphat asked if there was a prophet of the Lord that word could be inquired about Ramoth. This unsettled Ahab because there was one man named Micaiah who never had anything good to say about the king of Israel. Ahab hated Micaiah because the prophet did not placate the feelings of the king to suit his wants and needs. Jehoshaphat insisted the prophet of God be brought and Ahab agreed. When the messenger arrived at the home of Micaiah he warned the prophet of God the four hundred prophets of Ahab had told the king that victory would be his when he went up against Ramoth and Micaiah should speak the same word. In courageous defiance, the prophet of the Lord answered that he would speak nothing less than what God told him.

Ahab and Jehoshaphat regaled themselves in their royal robes, sitting each on his throne, at a threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria when Micaiah arrived. He told the kings to go up against Ramoth and the city would be delivered into the hand of the king. Angered by the answer of the prophet, Ahab flew into a rage at the word of Micaiah. It was then the prophet of the Lord told the king of Israel that he would die that day. A lying spirit would come from the Lord in the mouth of the prophets to persuade Ahab to go to war and this would be his undoing and his death. Incensed by the insolence of Micaiah, Ahab demanded the prophet of God be put into prison where he would remain until Ahab returned. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead and fought. The king of Syria had given strict orders for thirty-two captains of his chariots to fight with no man but to find the king of Israel and kill him. They were unable to find Ahab and turned back from looking for him. A certain soldier of the Syrian army drew a bow at random and struck Ahab, king of Israel, between the joints of his armor that proved to be a fatal blow. Ahab bled out in his chariot dying that evening just as Micaiah the prophet of the Lord had said. Someone washed the chariot at a pool in Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood while the harlots bathed, according to the word of the Lord which he had spoken.

It is not known what became of Micaiah the prophet. His word came true as told him by the Lord and he was courageous enough to boldly speak the word of the Lord. Ahab was a fierce king to stand against. He had many men killed simply as a whim of conscious like Naboth. With Jezebel by his side, the king of Israel was a formidable presence of evil in the land but Micaiah was unmoved by the man he stood before. The prophet of the Lord knew that he must speak the words of truth whether it meant being cast into prison with bread and water or death. Kings did not bring fear to Micaiah but he did fear to deny the word of truth. It was not what Ahab wanted to hear but the word spoken by Micaiah was the word of God.  There are many hearts like Ahab today that want the word of the Lord to tickle their ears and tell them things that please them. Religion is filled with hearts that refuse to hear the word of truth, choosing rather listen to the siren calls of self-worth, conscious guided minds of carnality and denying the word of truth. The Bible is a book of plain teaching. It has not changed and will never change although the teachings of men will change. No matter what translation of the Bible used, sin is still a transgression of the law of God. The church needs men and women like Micaiah who will say, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”

This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:19-23)

Minding Your Own Business

After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus spent forty days with the disciples exhorting, encouraging and admonishing them about the kingdom of God. It was a flurry of activity as the Lord prepared to return to the Father, leaving in the hands of twelve men to carry the gospel to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles. One of the missions of Jesus was to spend time with the man who denied his Lord three times that he knew Him or had any association with the man from Nazareth. Peter had gone out and wept bitterly after his denial. There is little doubt that when he realized Jesus was dead the incredible guilt that swept over him as he had failed his Lord in His most pressing time overshadowed his heart with grief. After the resurrection, was there an awkward moment with Peter, as he rejoiced to see his Lord and then realizing what he had done to Jesus, caused some consternation and concern? When Jesus appeared to the eleven the third time, they shared breakfast together by the sea of Tiberias (or Galilee). After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. The apostle responded each time with the affirmation of his love for Jesus. In response Jesus tells Peter three things: first, He exhorts Simon to feed His lambs or tend His sheep (speaking in a spiritual sense). Secondly, Jesus tells Peter how the apostle would die. There will come a time when he will be bound and taken where he did not want to go. Finally, Jesus tells Peter to follow Him.

Peter could not have fully comprehended the meaning of Jesus’ words and how his life would change so dramatically in just a few weeks at Pentecost. In his own impetuous manner, Simon Peter upon hearing the words of Jesus looks over at the apostle John and inquires from the Lord what would happen to him. What Peter missed was the impact of the Lord’s statement about his own life and he ignores the impact of how he would die and wants to know what will happen to John. Jesus rebukes Peter and tells him that if it was the will of the Father for John to never die that is God’s business but Simon Peter needs to mind his own business about his own affairs. The Lord was trying to restore the confidence of the man who denied his Lord three times and Peter could not help but open his mouth at the wrong time about things that were of no consequence to him. What Peter needed to be concerned about was himself and the challenges that he would be facing in the coming months and years. Whatever would happen to John was of no matter to Peter. Simon needed to follow Jesus and feed the disciples the word of truth as instructed by the Lord. Others would misunderstand the meaning of Jesus’s words thinking that John would never die and like Peter were mindful about matters that belonged to the mind of God and not men. Peter was martyred and according to Jewish tradition was crucified upside down. John would die of old age having seen the incredible revelation of Jesus Christ as he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos. Jesus returned to the Father where He has been seated at the right-hand ruling over His kingdom.

Men like Peter are still trying to mind the affairs of God. Everything a man needs to know about salvation is revealed in the Bible. This great book contains sixty-six books that tell the history of the world, beginnings of civilization and the tragedy of a sinful world. For many millennia there was no joy in the world as the darkness of sin held sway over the hearts of men. Then joy came to the world in the birth of a child in Bethlehem that would grow to the stature of a man who lived without sin and was murdered by His own people. The light of the world came on the first day of the week with Jesus rose from the dead. Salvation had come to a lost and dying world. All of this is found within the pages of Holy Writ. There are many questions that remain unanswered. Men have mused over questions that have no meaning and are without profit. Like Peter, they want to know about this matter or that matter failing to realize all that mattered concerned their own lives and how they shared in a relationship with Jesus Christ or not. The great reality of life is that all men will stand before God in judgment with every person that has ever walked on the face of the earth and they will be standing before the Lord alone. Peter needed to realize that accountability was an individual choice. It did not matter what happened to John but it really did matter to Peter whether he would follow Jesus and do his will. The Bible is written to instruct the individual in their walk before God to be found pleasing regardless of what other people say or do. Salvation is a unique experience where the accountability of the individual is the basis of eternal life through the grace of God. What matters most to my life is whether I am saved and thereby by the love of God help others find their own accountability as Peter would say at Pentecost, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”