The Heaton File

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:2-11)

Partaking Of The Divine Nature

Life in Jesus Christ is filled with the immeasurable blessings of the Heavenly Father. Created to glorify the Father, man finds his fulfillment in the covenant relationship of redemption through the knowledge of Him who called men by glory and virtue. Nothing that man can do or say can express the debt of gratitude held to the blessings of God. He has not promised man blessings alone. His promise is to give man exceedingly great and precious promises beyond the capability of man to understand. Throughout the history of the righteous people of God the promises of the Lord have excelled far beyond what was possible. Noah was saved by the grace of God as he prepared the ark for the saving of his household. Abram was promised a son at the age of 100 including the promises of a land to call his own and the father of a mighty nation. The faith of the saints of God has always been founded upon the incredible blessings and promises of the Lord. When men were faithful to the commandments of God, the exceeding and bountiful blessings were given by the hand of the Lord. He never failed in any promises He made.

Living for the exceedingly great and precious promises of God changes the heart of the man. He bathes in the wonder of the manifold bounty of untold blessings that are unmerited by his own failings. God loves man with an eternal love that overshadows the frailty of a broken spirit and penitent heart. Forgiveness is the divine measuring stick of God’s grace to remove the sin of man and receive him into His presence. What happens in man is he begins to take on the image of his Father and partakes of the divine nature of His righteousness. Jesus exhorted the disciples to be perfect as the Father in Heaven was perfect. Peter extols the virtue of molding the character of the child of God into the image of the divine nature by giving all diligence to add to their faith the virtues of the Father. Examining the graces of God listed by Peter will change the outward and inward disposition of the man of God into the image of the divine Father. Partaking of the divine nature is becoming the divine nature. The spirit of man becomes the image of the Heavenly Father.

Through the exceedingly great and precious promises, man takes on the image of the Heavenly Father. In this metamorphosis of the spirit of man to godliness is the removal of the corruption that is in the world through lust. The graces of God enumerated by Peter will change the heart, soul and mind of man to be the perfection of the image of the Father and slowly remove the harmful influences of a crooked and perverse world. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love stand in stark contrast to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life. As the child of God learns to mold these graces into the heart, the lusts of the world are driven out. Partaking of the divine nature compels the soul to think on things above where God is and to fill the heart with the purity of His love. The corruption of the world will not dominate the spirit of the child of God who partakes of the divine nature. In the end, the saint will find perfection in the body of Christ that is exceedingly great and precious. All the promises of God are found to be true and the life of the disciple of Christ is measured by the abounding blessings of God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Partaking of the divine nature is the life changing experience of molding the character of man to the image of God. All of the graces listed by Peter in his first epistle are the absolutes in matters of spiritual growth or reasons for failings in the spirit of man. Increasing in every area of the grace of God will bring about the surety of salvation. Lacking in these graces will bring failure. The calling and election of the child of God can be made sure when the heart is willing to partake of the divine nature. An entrance will be supplied to those who allow the graces of God to guide their hearts in escaping the corruption of the world and to embody the divine nature of the Father. His divine power has given everything needed pertaining to life and godliness. It comes through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace. (Ephesians 2:15)

The Law Is Abolished

The word “abolish” is a transitive verb meaning to put an end to something such as a law. In the New Testament Greek language it is katargeō “to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively: – abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary). In almost all the various Bible translations, “abolished” is found in our text. What Paul is describing in the great letter about the church is the end of the Law of Moses. Jesus came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill the Law. The cross is the apex of that plan to show the Jew could not save himself by having the Law and the Gentile could not save himself apart from law. There is nothing more clearly stated in the New Testament than the end of the Law of Moses.

Peace for all men came when Jesus died on the cross. The Gentiles were measured by an Abrahamic type faith that allowed them to find justification much like the great patriarch Abram. From Adam until the cross all the people of the world separated from the covenant of Israel were justified by the grace of God and His mercy. Jonah preached to the city of Nineveh showing the Lord’s compassion to the Gentiles. The people of Nineveh repented and God withheld His hand of destruction against them. Salvation before the cross did not come solely from the Law of Moses. This law was given only to the Jews as the fulfillment of the seed promise made in the Garden of Eden. Less the same tragic malady fall upon men as it did in the days of Noah, God provided the Law of Moses through the nation of Israel to bring His Son into the world. The Law of Moses was contingent upon the obedience of the Jews. They failed and the Lord withdrew His blessing upon them promising to bring a new covenant with the coming of the Anointed One.

Jesus was a Jew and lived under the Law of Moses. He said during the sermon on the mount He did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill the Law. His life was perfect as He literally never broke a single command of God. When He died on the cross, He took away the curse of the Law because He was able to do what no man had ever been able to do – live a perfect life. Jesus became the curse and the sacrifice. At the cross the Son of God abolished the Law of Moses and removed the guilt of the Gentiles who lived apart from the Law. There is only one name that all men (Jew & Gentile) can be saved and that name was inscribed above the head of Jesus on the cross.

When a person says the Law of Moses is still binding today – they in actual fact suggest that Jesus did not live a perfect life. The two are not compatible. If He lived a perfect life the Law could not stand because there is no foundation and the curse of the Law is removed. Believing the Law of Moses is still in force (in any form) denies that Jesus is the Son of God and that He lived a life of sinless perfection. Anyone seeking eternal life must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He lived sinless His whole life. This holds true to the keeping of the Law of Moses. Refusing to acknowledge the Law of Moses (all of it) was abolished denies the promise of eternal life and will find that person in jeopardy of salvation. Too many people want to dabble with a little bit of the Law of Moses and hold to Jesus with the other hand. Being crucified with Christ both hands are nailed to one cross and that cross is not the Law. It is the blood bought covenant of Jesus Christ. The Law of Moses is given for man to learn of the goodness and severity of the Lord as an example and a help to bring them to Christ. Salvation is in Jesus Christ – not Moses.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Protect The Home

Vance Havner wrote, “America is a disaster area home wise. The automobile took the family out of the home, and television brought the world into the home.” When God created man and woman He established the home in a place where He Himself walked and dwelt so that the family would find the joys of His presence. Before sin, man did not fear the presence of the Lord. There was no shame, sorrow or heartache. Satan was the adversary that destroyed the paradise home of Eden. His deceitful ploy against Eve took away the happiness of man and God dwelling together. Guilt and pain followed and man found himself cast from the presence of the Lord. The devil continues his vicious onslaught to break down the foundations of righteousness in the home knowing that as the home goes; so goes the world; and as the home goes so goes the church.

Peter warns of the dangers of Satan as like a roaring lion seeking all those whom he can grasp within his web of his deceitful lies. So often, his ploy is not to present wickedness in a form that would disgust the heart with the ugly nature of sin but rather simple things of life that on the surface are pleasant and unremarkable. Havner remarked on the influence of the automobile and the television that are innocuous at best. The nuclear family that spent time together growing in the knowledge of God is now replaced with the hectic pursuit of harried lives pursuing the pleasures of a materialistic world and sitting in front of a glowing box like zombies that are the sitting dead.

The church is not growing and evangelizing because the home has become a place of recreation and self-pursuits building upon foundations of materialism and covetousness. Early saints went everywhere teaching the good news of Jesus Christ under the pale of severe persecution. Before the invention of the automobile and the television, communities were united under the common need of the family. The Bible was read on a constant basis because there was no distraction of wasteful hours of spiritual numbness. There was a unity of common spirit among the community of families that depended on one another, knew one another and shared in the joys and sorrows of life. In our modern world of wonder we do not know our neighbors and more often than not – we do not know our family. The church struggles to interest souls who have little time for God and His work. Services of God’s people are becoming less and less and time spent together in worship is fractured with mini-minutes of fast paced order to dismiss and rush home. Smiling in the shadows is a monstrous lion who knows his work is having an impact on the holy nation of God and he is pleased. Do you hear his roar?

“Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘Stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)

5777 Or 2017

For most people, the year 5777 has no significance. Man is always trying to come up with another way to define history and this will be determined by the counsel of faith they adhere or believe in. The year 5777 is a real year determined from the beginning of the world as God created all things according to Genesis. It is suggested the Maimonides explained this dating in his book, ‘Mishneh Torah: Sanctification of the Moon’ written about 1178. Those who follow the dating of 5777 continue to hold to the traditions of Judaism or the Hebrew faith. The Bible is silent on the matter.

Moses writes in the book of Exodus the formation of the nation of Israel when the Lord God gave the escaped Egyptian Hebrews the Law. This law would form the constitution and daily commandments of the people that would become known as the people of promise. Abram had been promised a seed, the land of Canaan and a nation. The first promise fulfilled was the nation of Israel at Mount Sinai. When the people conquered the land of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua, the second promise was kept. Finally, Jesus Christ became the last promise fulfilled through the seed of Isaac, son of Abraham. God kept all of His promises but Israel did not. When the people received the Law of Moses, it was a conditional law. Their obedience would be paramount to the continued blessings of God upon the nation. The Old Testament is the tragic story of Israel’s fall into idolatry and rebellion against the Lord. A new covenant was promised and found its fulfillment in Christ and the church. The book of Hebrews is the new covenant law on the better promises made through Jesus Christ.

It may seem insignificant but the dating of our modern calendar testifies to the working of God in the history of man. The year 2017 is not a random number but closely tied to the life of Jesus Christ. Making calendars has not been an exact science and have been fraught with problems over the years. Jesus was not born in the year ‘0’ and was probably born around 4 B.C. (according to the historical reckoning of calendars). Regardless, the uniform use of 2017 is based upon one man and one man alone: the man from Nazareth, supposed son of a carpenter, son of Mary: Jesus Christ. Every time the date is written is testifies to the powerful influence Jesus had upon history.

Writing the year 5777 is of little consequence because it is based upon a doctrine that denies Jesus as the Messiah, chosen One of God. The Muslim calendar shows 2017 as the year 1438 AH (in the year of the Hijra). Other religions regulate their calendars according to their systems of faith. Overall, the world accepts the year 2017. It would seem clear the thumbprint of God is working in the affairs of men to declare His Son to all men. Simple things like the dating of the year testify to the powerful influence Jesus has had upon the affairs of men. When an atheist writes the date, he conflicts himself. The Lord God has His will among men testifying to His great power and majesty over the centuries. Praise God for His wonderful image expressed through the years.

There is only one name that men will find salvation. Jesus is the Son of God and He gave His life so that all men could come to Him for redemption. The Jews are no longer the people of God and the Gentiles cannot find salvation apart from Jesus Christ. Jew and Gentile alike must come to the cross of Jesus to be saved. The dating of a year is not significant to salvation but it does show the wisdom of God in contrast to the wisdom of man. Saved men base their life upon the man from Nazareth. His name is the only name that man can find the hope of eternal life. 5777 denies Christ. 2017 affirms there really was a man called Jesus. The Bible confirms salvation is only in Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

The God Of Comfort

There are few words that can describe how wonderful and how great the Heavenly Father is to His children. Knowing the love of an earthly father is so incredible words fail. Trying to understand the love of God is nearly impossible. He is so powerful and so kind to His children that do not deserve His mercy, grace, love and compassion – a lifetime of seeking would not find the hem of His garment. Life can be hard and dishearten the strongest soul but the Father still loves and cares for His child. Sin will have its way with the disciple of Christ and through it all the forgiving grace of God will bring comfort to a broken spirit. Comfort.

Time is nothing to God as He spans the generations of faithful souls seeking His grace. Abraham gazed upon the same sun, moon and stars that fill the sky giving the same promise of comfort to God’s children today. His promises of comfort to David are secure in the promises made to His saints in the church and through all time that remains. The Lord God never failed in protecting His people eons ago affirming that same security for the children of God who serve him daily. Nothing has changed for man in his struggle to find peace. His mistake has always been to seek wisdom by his own merits finding no peace in his life finding only emptiness. Following the pleasures of the flesh will never bring solace to the soul. Amassing all the fortunes of the world are shrouded in the dust of time forgotten as man dies leaving all of this world behind. Monuments erected today are banished in years to come with no fame remembered.

The comfort of God is eternal. He blessed Adam and Eve and He will bless all those who seek Him in every generation since. His mercies have been offered to all men. The path of peace is set before man to seek and find. Understanding the tribulations of life can be answered in the wisdom of His book. His hand overshadows those who dwell in the shadow of His love. He is the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort and there is no greater place a man can find himself than in the spirt of the Lord God. There is nothing in life that He will not measure by the grace of His love to bring comfort to a troubled heart. No temptation can overtake the mercy of God as He offers the way of escape to those who seek His mercy. He is not a God of some comfort – He is the God of all comfort.

Death is not feared when seen through the eyes of the Lord God who sent His Son to conquer death. He gave His only begotten Son that we could see death for what it is: a bridge to life. The comfort given by God is the knowledge that life is not about the here and now but the joy of what is to come. Finding peace in life is knowing in life there is no peace apart from the God of comfort. Trusting in the blessings of the Lord bring hope and joy because His promises are true and everlasting. No greater comfort will you find than the glorious presence of the God of all mercies and comfort.

Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

For The Glory Of God

The church at Corinth had a lot of problems adjusting to the pattern expected by the Lord for His church. Admittedly, they were part of a new revolution that was sweeping the Roman Empire and the world with little to go on for examples and patterns. Viewing the church two thousand years removed reminds us of the challenges the church faces in any generation to learn how to follow the design and arrangement preserved by the Holy Spirit. It can be easy to cast stones at Corinth for their chaotic multiplicity of incredible problems they experienced but we are probably not as far removed as we think. It comes down to a better understand of how to worship and what is pleasing to the Lord and what is done for the pleasure of man.

Worship in the church of Corinth was like a three-ring circus. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were not understood in their proper context, authority was being challenged by the women, partaking of the Lord’s supper was out of place and there were serious issues with vital doctrines like morality, marriage and the resurrection. All in all the church at Corinth resembled a train wreck. The public worship was one of the areas that Paul addressed to this church of God. They had created an atmosphere of confusion and this was driving people away for learning the truth. Because of the chaos being allowed in the worship, those who visited thought the members out of their minds. This is a difficult environment to teach someone the way of truth. The apostle sought to put things back in order for one simple reason: worship at Corinth did not give glory to God.

The Corinthians had failed to remember that worship must be about glorifying God. Everything created and established by the Lord has a design and purpose. Worship has never been a foot-loose, raucous vibration of uncontrolled passions that fuel the spirit of man rather than an orderly approach in respecting the Father. The admonition of Paul that worship must be done decently and in order comes from a military term of the proper manner to come before God. It is not to be done with confusion and discord. There is a pattern to worship the Lord. This form is not a strict regimen of rote sentences and disheartened spirits but worship that is directed to the glory of God. The details of that pattern are left to man to decide if he wants two songs and a prayer and a song and the supper and a song … you get the idea. When all is said and done there must be respect for what is being done.

Worship is to glorify God. Respect for the Lord is paramount. The solemnity of true worship knows the grace afforded man to enter the veil approaching the throne of God in bold humility to offer sacrifices of praise to the Almighty. There must be an order to this worship. Albert Barnes writes, “Let all be done ‘decorously,’ as becomes the worship of the great and holy God.” How that is accomplished is left to the mind of man. Having the spirit of subjection to the manner of true worship, man will find a higher plane in his pursuit of worshiping the Father in spirit and truth.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:2-11)

We Are Called To His Glory And Excellence

Everything needed for man to make his calling and election sure has been provided by the grace and mercy of God. The elements of a righteous life and the path of godliness are revealed to all men to follow as faith building blocks seeking the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ. All of the attributes of the virtuous characters of the saint mold an abundant life in the harmony of the Holy Spirit. There is a higher reason for these graces to be a vibrant part of the life of each Christian. When God ordained the nature of His children before time began, His desire was for them to show forth His own glory and excellence in their lives by imitating Him. The children become the Father.

God did not create man just to have something to create that could walk and talk. Forming Adam from the dust of the ground and taking a rib to form woman was a special creation designed to bring glory to the Almighty Creator. The animals bear the mark of the Maker’s hand but only in the physical appearance of His creative power. It is only in man that God shows His greatest power and purpose. Buried in man was the image of the Creator. Animals are dust and to dust they return with no life beyond. Man is an eternal being created to inhabit a mortal body. The image of God is born in the heart of man to show forth the majesty of the Creator. When man sheds his physical tent he lives eternally through the design of God. This eternal existence will be a time of joy or horror but eternal it will be. It is also during the earthly journey that man is to honor the image of the Creator and show His glory.

Peter enumerates many Christian graces that separate the child of God from the world of darkness. Each of these attributes will guide the heart, soul, mind and body into the paths of righteousness and truth. Above all of these graces the purpose of God is declared. The divine power of God has provided everything man needs to follow a life of godliness through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Following these admonitions will secure an eternal home in the kingdom of God. What is found in these graces -exemplified in the life of those who have obtained the like precious faith – is the glory and excellence of the Almighty God. A life that is filled with godliness is a life that shows the incredible love of God. It is not man that is glorified – it is the Father. The spirit of man is cloaked with the mantle of the Holy Spirit in every part of his life. We are called by the glory of God to live for the glory of God. The virtue and excellence that brought us to the cross of Jesus Christ is the same spirit we fill our lives with. Children of God look like their heavenly Father and show forth His glory.

Jesus lived a perfect life because His will was to show forth the glory of His Father. He followed the same path of the graces Peter shares with his readers to find perfection. If there is a challenge to faith it will be answered by one or more of these graces. Growing in Christ can only be accomplished by following these graces of godliness. Increasing in each grace will bring about greater security and knowledge of salvation. Molding our lives by the characters of godliness will show the glory of God and manifest His spirit of light to a world given over to darkness. I shine bright because I shine God. His glory fills my life and His glory is what others see in me.

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. (Hebrews 8:6)

The Best Book In The Bible

During the early days of the church, a conflict arose among the first Christians as to how much of the Law of Moses would be included in the gospel of Christ. Some taught circumcision was necessary to be saved. The keeping of days and festivals was a problem. Under persecution, a number of the Hebrew saints were considering returning to the old ways. It was hard for those who grew up in Judaism to completely remove all of the trappings of things they had done and believed their whole lives. Shunned by family members, friends and acquaintances, living as a follower of Jesus Christ was a hard road to travel.

The Hebrew writer addressed the faith challenges the early Hebrew Christian’s faced. The argument put forth repeatedly in the Hebrew letter was how better things were under the covenant of Christ. There was no comparison to what the Jews served under the Law and the grace of God found in the law of Christ. The death of Jesus served a better sacrifice, a better possession, a better country, a better resurrection, a better way, a better High Priest and a better hope. Everything was superior in Christ. The blood of bulls and goats could not compare to the pure blood of the Son of God. He became the incredible gift of a loving Father who gave His only begotten Son to redeem man. All of the sacrifices during the period of the Law could not measure to one drop of the blood of Jesus on the cross. He was sinless and perfect and gave His life for all.

From the first days of the world, man has sought for the best things in life. Salvation came through men like Abraham who showed a pattern of faith in believing in the one true God. In the Law of Moses God preserved the seed promise to be fulfilled in Christ. The Gentiles and the Jews proved that man could not save himself apart from the law or having been given the law find perfection. Only in Jesus Christ can all men find the true grace and mercy of God and the redemption of their soul. The same holds true today. Man cannot save himself apart from God. There is no hope if men seek to save themselves by themselves. Following the Ten Commandments or the Law of Moses will not save a man. The Law of Moses has been abolished as the first covenant with fault. A better covenant is given through Christ and the only means that can save man today is in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews is the best book in the Bible because it is a book of best things. The better blessings of the Lord are emphasized throughout the message of Hebrews. It should be clear for all those who are Christians of the incredible blessings we have in being part of the better covenant with a better High Priest. Never take for granted the manifold mercies of God fulfilled in Jesus Christ with a better hope built upon better promises. Rejoice in the day to know we serve a better law. God’s grace and mercy are undeserving but He has granted His love toward us that while we were sinners He sent His Son to die for us.  We should be the best people because of His love. Thank you God for your love and your gift.

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)

A Pattern For Young Men

The Bible is filled with stories of young people who mastered the spirit of youth to become examples of godly living serving the Lord with faithfulness. It must never be lost the impact the young of any generation can have in the work of the Lord. Often criticism is leveled against the wasted years of youth. There are many families that do not restrain their children failing to teach them the fundamental character of godliness. Prosperity has ruined many a young heart that grows to maturity seeking everything in the world but God. Parents give their children everything their heart desires based upon the popularity of their peers, societal norms and pleasures. Knowledge of the Lord is never taught. A pattern of youthful godliness is found in Paul’s admonition to Titus that any young man can use to help him become a shining example of righteousness in a world dark with sin.

Young men that please the Lord are those who control the volatile spirit of self. The passions of youth weigh heavy upon pre-emerging adults. There are many temptations placed before the mind of young men seeking to remain pure. Controlling self is one of the most important passions of youth. Learning how to curb the desires of the flesh and mind come from a study of God’s word. Controlling the propensities to which a young man is subject demands self-government with a well-governed mind. Like Joseph of old, he knows when to flee sin. A godly young man will know what is sown today he will reap tomorrow.

The example of a godly young man is seen in a pattern of good works. Their life is a model of seeking spiritual things on a higher plane of holiness, righteousness and purity. They are filled with knowledge of God’s word instilling an example of integrity before others. Their speech does not betray their example as they learn to be respectful, honest, loving and kind. A pattern of good works is what separates a godly young man from the frivolous youth of the world. Adorning the doctrine of God is the cloak of purity that describes the young man pleasing the Father.

Young men who will shine as lights in the world will change the world. Joseph, David, Jonathan, Josiah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, Azariah, Timothy and Titus are young men preserved by the Holy Spirit as models of the modern young man who makes a difference in their world. The names will be different today but we need so desperately young men who will stand on the foundation of truth to be an example to others of the righteousness of the Lord. In the lives of godly young men a new hope arises that will build the church in every community and solidify the home built upon the word of God, the Spirit of God and the eternal hope of Heaven. Let these young men rise to the challenge.

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36)

The Great Commission Of John The Baptist

Following the resurrection, Jesus remained with His disciples forty days teaching and preparing them for the work of spreading the gospel. The gospel writer Mark concludes his book with a commission of Jesus to the eleven to preach the gospel to every creature. This message would be a simple plan that whosoever believes and is baptized would be saved and those who did not believe would be condemned. Through the centuries man has denied the essentiality of baptism teaching the commission of Jesus did not include baptism. In the wisdom of man, salvation comes through faith alone. John the Baptist testified early in the ministry of Jesus the essential character of obedience in the same pattern Jesus would command the eleven.

Everlasting life comes from believing in the Son of God. John’s testimony comes on the heels of Nicodemus coming to Jesus by night and the Lord showing the Jewish ruler obedience comes from the new birth. The message of Jesus was birth by the water and the spirit. To deny baptism as essential for salvation denies the words of the Son of God to Nicodemus and the testimony of John the Baptist. When a man believes in the word of God he is willing to do everything commanded of him by the Lord. Nicodemus understood this and became a disciple of Christ. John the Baptist declared everlasting life came from believing in the Son and this would come from obedience to the word of God. Jesus completed this circle of teaching by telling the eleven that belief and baptism was the will of the Father.

Having an attitude of disbelief does not lend itself to following the word of God. Those who reject baptism as necessary for salvation do not believe in the Son. Believing in Jesus as the Christ demands complete obedience. John the Baptist emphasized the message Jesus would leave as a commission to the eleven that believing in the word of God required baptism. The wrath of God is waiting for those who refuse to obey His word. To disbelieve in the will of God is to ignore baptism as necessary. Disregarding the command to be buried in water is to not believe the Son. Those who are not baptized will not see life and will find the wrath of God abides in them. Not only did Jesus affirm this in His commission to the eleven but John the Baptist laid the foundation in his teaching the disciples. The unity of the message is the Holy Spirit confirmed the will of God through the words of John the Baptist in John 3 and the words of Jesus in Mark 16. One Spirit and one word from one Father.