The Heaton File

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:17-21)

The Final Story

Today marks the final Saturday in the year 2015. Our focus this year has been telling great stories of courage, faith and endurance. The Bible is a book of stories revealing the character of men as they seek the Lord. It begins in glory with Adam and Eve in the paradise of Eden but soon Satan destroys the world with sin. Throughout the Old Testament the Lord shows His mercy and grace to unrepentant man. As the New Testament opens the Light of the world appears to being hope to all the earth. The apex of the Bible story is found in the empty tomb outside Jerusalem. It was at this place Jesus Christ raised from the dead following His sacrifice of love to redeem all men. Salvation through the blood of God’s Son redeems the curse of sin. For two thousand years men have heralded the gospel. It is only in the mind of the Father how long the universe will continue but it is on borrowed time. Today as we begin to close another year we draw closer to the coming of Jesus Christ.

The Revelation is a splendid book of courage, faith and endurance. Inscribed upon its pages is the courage of the early saints as they stood against the foes of God. Persecution came from the religious world, the powers of government and the unrelenting temptation of the flesh. Faith ruled in the hearts of the faithful as they endured great hardships. They cried out often “How long, O Lord, Holy and True” and the Lord never forgot them. Death took their bodies but never their spirit. Persecuted to the ends of the earth they died in faith see a city beyond built by the Living God. As the final scenes of Revelation are weaved into the tapestry of God’s Revelation the King of King and Lord of Lord emerges victorious in the final battle with Satan. Victory. Victory. Victory. It is complete. It is final. It is amazing.

This is the final story for man. Everything that precedes the Revelation shows the struggle. John’s final book opens the gates of Heaven to reveal the paradise lost in Genesis is found intact in Revelation. The joy of walking with God in the Garden of Eden is restored in the final pictures of the Revelation. When man was expelled from the garden it seemed hopeless. In the final story hope is renewed beyond man’s imagination. What a city. What a place. What glory we will share in the heavenly city.

The invitation of Jesus is given in the final chapter. From the beginning man has had a choice. He is given a choice once again. The tree of life is offered through the blood of Jesus Christ. What is contained within the Revelation is true for the whole of God’s word. The story is completed. Nothing should be added and nothing should be taken away. All we need to know for salvation is found in the Bible. The Lord is coming back. His coming will be soon. For all those who read the Bible and feel the love of God throughout the travails of man’s struggle with sin finding hope in Jesus Christ and victory over death – will say with ease – Lord come quickly. Yes – living with the Bible in the heart death is only a transition from this world to eternal life. Knowing the power of God’s love will help us live each day with the greatest story ever told – Lord come today; come now; come soon. Now that is a great story. Amen.

The Old Testament together with the New Testament enables us to see that the events related in the New Testament are events which are inseparably connected with that original event recorded in Genesis 1-3 which concerned humanity as a whole. (Gustave Wingren, Theology in Conflict, 1958)

Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: there was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. Then I said: “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.” (Ecclesiastes 9:13-18)

A Little City With A Little Man

The age of superheroes is not new. Goliath was a massive killing machine that brought men to their knees by his size and power. Facing a ruddy youth one day with five smooth stones the champion of the Philistines was felled in one stroke. Wisdom, faith and courage destroyed the might of the enemy. Solomon examines the plight of a small city that is overwhelmed by the forces of a great king. There is no hope against such an opposing force of strength, might and power. What could a small city do against such odds? There was no hope. Defeat was certain. But then from the unknown quarters of the poor comes a man who has no great army to offer or physical might to champion the cause. His only offerings are words of wisdom. Seemingly with nothing to lose the city follows the advice of the poor man finding deliverance as the mighty king retreats in defeat. Because he is a poor man no rewards are given and he is once again forgotten. The city gives no honor to a poor man.

Life is not so different in our world today. Great men of finance rise to become stallions of commerce. Athletes are heralded for their physical prowess. Actors and movie stars are worshipped as gods. The world wants their heroes to look the part and be the part. Common men of simple wisdom are seldom heard. Commonsense is a commodity seldom embraced. Learning and wisdom are despised. The desires of the flesh drive the libidos of man to crave the foolish pursuits of pleasure. This pattern is repeated in every generation. Wisdom is belittled as the word of God is thrown aside for the dogmas of man’s earthly desires.

The Bible has remained unchanged since the first documenting of its wisdom on animal skins. Through the ages the Lord has shown His will to men in written form as we now have revealed in the book called the Bible. Sixty-six books within a book making a pattern of complete wisdom greater than any man could ever write. It should be called “The Book of Wisdom” because it reveals the mind of God to man. Nothing compares to the depths of its message. All that man can do will never change the word of God. Like the poor man in the small city it is seldom considered. Remarkably in times of great crisis men turn to the Bible for help. Did you notice after 9-11 the resurgence of those seeking comfort in the Bible? Those days quickly faded into history and the world has regained its footing in pleasure.

Solomon declared long ago the measure of greatness is not found in the strength of men but the word of God. Within the church of the Lord saints rise in wisdom to live complete lives of happiness and security as they follow the teaching of the Creator. There can be no greater wisdom than what is contained within the pages of the Bible. One man with the word of God is a majority. It matters not whether he is of any stature in the world of men. One man with the word of God will have greater power over life than any pitiful attempt by a thousand mighty men. A little city with a little man. Be that man.

When God lights the soul with wisdom, it floods the faculties, and that man knows more than ever could be taught him. (Meister Eckhart; 1260-1328)

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Walking And Talking

The Christian is a walking billboard of the testimony of Jesus Christ. It takes great care to present a proper example of faith. Living in a glass house of righteousness the world will scrutinize the character and conduct of those who profess allegiance to Jesus Christ. It takes wisdom to live in a world filled with temptation. This wisdom must come for God. Faith grows from the word of the Lord dwelling in the heart and seen in the actions of a life dedicated to a holy calling. The world can be callous against the Christian. Calls of hypocrisy can destroy the effectiveness of a Christian example. The child of God must understand the influence of their life impacts others. If the language of the world is on the lips of the Christian the world will take notice. When a Christian dresses in the immodest fashion of the world the nonbeliever will not see Christ. It matters what kind of interest the Christian has because the world is watching. What they see is what they believe the person to be. For the child of God wisdom must be used to show forth Christ in every way.

Redeeming the time is important because the only impression some will have of God is seen in the life of the Christian. First impressions must always be of the Lord. There can easily be someone impacted for good because of a single life, a single deed or a single act. Walking in wisdom is seeking to always (emphasis on always) present a model of godliness in life so that others can see our good works and glorify God. Time is of the essence because there is so little of it. The time we spend at work is a valuable tool to use impressing on the hearts of coworkers the faith of Christ. Our family life is time sensitive to embed on the hearts of the children the love of God.

Walking the walk of faith will be of little value if the talking is not the talk of faith. Our speech betrays us. The speech patterns can determine whether a person comes from the northeast, south or a foreign country. We know immediately if a man is from Australia because of his dialect. This is so important in the speech pattern of the Christian. People know whether we are truly a servant of Christ or not because of the walk we talk. Using vulgar language does not reflect Jesus. Gossip does not glorify God. Murmuring grieves the Holy Spirit. Rather the daily language of the child of God is seasoned with the wisdom of God’s word teaching love, patience, understand and kindness. In this manner the walk of the Christian is in harmony with the talk of the Christian. Walk the walk and talk the talk – as long as the walking and the talking is in Jesus Christ!

I have read of a parade of boys in which everyone was in step except one youngster. It was discovered that under his coat he carried a transistor radio, and was marching to other music from a thousand miles away. The Christian is in step with the drumbeats of another world. (Vance Havner, 1901-1986)

Wednesday Morning Meditation – Psalms

“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,” let Israel now say, “If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul.” Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth. Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (A Song of Ascents. Of David. Psalm 124)

The Lord Is On Our Side

David was keenly aware of the power of God in his life. Standing before the giant Goliath his trust was in the power of the Lord to destroy the one who challenged all Israel. In battle the shepherd king knew the comfort of the One who would help him defeat his enemies. When Nathan the prophet came to David and revealed the sin with Bathsheba David knew the Lord would still envelop him with His grace and mercy. David knew he never walked alone. God was always by his side. Throughout scripture the people of God lived every day with the presence of God in their lives. For many it was a real experience as God would speak to them directly. The early disciples felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in the ministry of spreading the gospel. It should never be concluded that since God no longer speaks directly to man or the Holy Spirit works miracles that we are forgotten and left alone. The Lord still works in our lives. He still overshadows us with His presence.

The psalm of David is a wonderful message for the children of God today. Our Lord will help us protecting us from those things that will overwhelm others. The devil is still active in his desire to destroy us but we have the Lord as our defender. It matters not if men will abuse us with ridicule for believing in God. Our society is becoming more ungodly but we still have a promise of His abiding presence to overshadow our lives with His protection. Faith in Christ is being watered down to insignificance. The Bible is viewed as a book of myths. Yet the Lord has not forsaken us. He still rules in the affairs of men. His power rules the universe. The Lord is on our side!

Disease can cripple us. It can bring our spirits low with despair. Tragedies of life will wear thin our resolve as we are overwhelmed with sorrow. These affairs overwhelm those who do not have the Lord on their side but we are the people of God. He stands with us reassuring our hearts that this world is only temporary and greater joy resides in the presence of a heavenly peace. We look to a city whose builder and maker is God. We know the Lord is on OUR side and we will overcome. Faith is established. Trust in His will guides our lives each day.

This year is almost gone. Look back over the last twelve months and see how often there is one set of footprints. Those prints are not ours. That is when He carried us and protected us. Our help is in the name of the Lord today. He will be there tomorrow. Rejoice the Lord is on our side.

A firm persuasion of the superintendence of providence over all our concerns is absolutely necessary to our happiness. (William Cowper, Letter to Lady Hesketh, 1765)

Tuesday Morning Early Start – Important Doctrines

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8)

HELL IS

In the beginning God created the world by His mighty power forming every living and nonliving thing. Belief in this fact is paramount to life. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. That is a fact that must be accepted in order to be saved. The Bible is the only revealed word of God rejecting all other tenets as false and created by man. There is a place called Heaven where eternal peace is granted to those who believe in the Holy Spirit inspired words of the Father who proclaims His Son as the Savior of the world. Truth is narrow. Rejection of truth does not change truth. There is one God, one Lord and one faith.

There is a harsh reality when all of the above is believed. Believing in one God, one Lord and one faith also declares the certainty of punishment. Jesus never minced words when He described the punishment of the disobedient. The Lord used words like “everlasting fire,” “everlasting punishment,” and “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” John in the Revelation brings his message to a close with the summation of final judgment. Sin will be punished. The political correctness of man will be absent in eternity for God will be the Judge, not man.

HELL is real. It is a place described as a lake which burns with fire and brimstone. The imagery is so frightening for a purpose. It is like being in a lake filled with volcanic lava. Unlike the tragedy of dying instantly if a person falls into a lava flow this place of torment is where the pain will continue in eternity. It will never stop hurting. There will never be a respite from its flames. The screams of horror will be eternal. This second death is without end. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus it was the rich man who anguished in the flame desiring only the tip of the finger of water. None was granted. In HELL there are tears in every eye, eternal death, eternal sorrow and eternal pain.

The severity of God is just as real as His goodness. The Lord will punish those who do not fear Him. If a person does not believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God they will be case into HELL. Every wicked person will be sent to HELL. Those who murder will be cast into HELL. If you believe that sex is okay whenever and with whomever you will go to HELL. Those who fill their minds with pornography will fill their minds in a HELLISH darkness. The practitioners of worldly worship will be in HELL with their father the devil. Everyone who thought lying was acceptable will realize the biggest lie was that HELL was not real.

Those who do His commandments will be blessed with eternal life as they partake of the tree of life. It will be a beautiful place to dwell with the Lord God Almighty. But just as real as eternal life there is eternal death. HELL is real. Do not find out first hand. You will wish you followed the will of God.

Hell could not be Hell without the despair of accursed souls; for any hope were a refreshment, and a drop of water, which would help to allay, those flames, which as they burn intolerably, so they must burn forever. (Jeremy Taylor, Twenty-Seven Sermons, 1651)

Monday Morning Coffee Break – Life With Jesus

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. (Acts 8:35-39)

Preaching Jesus

He had traveled a great distance to worship in Jerusalem. As a devout follower of Jehovah God the man from Ethiopia was diligently reading the prophet Isaiah. The events of the past few weeks must have filled his mind as he began the long journey home. Finding comfort in reading the scroll of Isaiah the eunuch was searching for what the prophet wrote. Looking from above the Lord sent an angel to the evangelist Philip instructing him to join the Ethiopian. Inquiring the meaning of the text the eunuch bid Philip explain the significance of the prophet’s words. Beginning where he was reading Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch.

What a remarkable story that must have been. Isaiah 53 was where it all began. Philip weaved the message of redemption throughout the ancient scrip of God’s word telling the story of the coming Messiah. Opening the eyes of the eunuch to the coming of Christ the King, His teaching and message, horrible death and glorious resurrection. The story of Jesus was told to a man with an honest heart. Somewhere in the story of Jesus Philip did what all early disciples were commanded to do. He showed the Ethiopian that Jesus died, was buried and arose from the grave. As Paul would later describe to the Romans the death, burial and resurrection of Christ was a figure of the salvation found in baptism. The eunuch readily accepted this teaching.

It is important to note the eunuch asked Philip the question. He wanted to know why he could not be baptized. He understood the necessity of such an act. His heart was honest to accept the word of salvation like the three thousand who responded in the city of Jerusalem. Philip was more than eager to fulfill the faith of the Ethiopian and baptized him into water. The evangelist was taken away by the Spirit of the Lord. The man from Ethiopia took the spirit of the Lord with him to his home.

Preaching Jesus is a lot of things. One message that comes from preaching Jesus is the necessity of baptism. The eunuch heard the word of God and believed it. He recognized salvation was not yet full. Inquiring of the evangelist why he could not be baptized shows he understood the cleansing blood of Jesus was found in the water. Preaching Jesus is preaching the blood and preaching the blood is finding it in obedience waters of baptism. Obedience is seen when they go into the water and are immersed for the remission of sins. Rejoicing comes from hearts that are now saved because sins have been washed away.

Faith came by hearing the word of God. Understanding resulted from a study of the story of Jesus. Belief pricked the heart to obey the command found in the story of Jesus. Action produced a man being immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins. Salvation only came when rising from the waters of baptism joy filled the heart. Preaching the story of Jesus. That is salvation.

Life with Christ is an endless hope; life without Christ is a hopeless end. (Author Unknown)

Sunday Morning Starters – Worship

I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:15)

Prayer And Song

Worship is a time of joy. Whether we are enjoying the fellowship of collective or private worship the communion we share with the Lord fills the heart with a heart of praise. It is especially true when we gather as one people to lift our voices together and to lift our hearts as one. Singing and praying have always been an integral part of man’s worship to God. The mouth was created to give glory to the Father. Talking to the Lord through prayer expresses the deep feelings of the heart. Singing songs of praise honor the love God has for us.

The challenge in the church at Corinth was their worship had become a confusing time. Praying and singing was not in the spirit desired from the Lord. Spiritual gifts were being abused causing the assembly to be in disarray. As a result the prayers were ineffective. Songs of praise were unproductive. Paul addresses the problem exhorting the early Christians to remember the meaning of prayer and hymns. While the spiritual gifts have long ceased there often remains a view of prayer and song today that make them just a part of what is required with little understanding of their value.

Prayer in worship is speaking the promises of God. Jesus warned against vain repetition and rote words of prayer. These words should come from hearts that are pouring out their love to Him who gave so much. There is no single pattern of prayer but the model of the heart thanking the Lord for His grace. In reality prayer is simple: talk to God about what is on your heart. Let Him hear the joy and love in your life. Praying with the understanding is the feeling of gratitude for all the Father has done.

Singing in worship is more than just sounding good. So often the emphasis is more about the parts of singing instead of the part singing plays in my life. God wants us to sing together to please Him. Some do not sing because they do not have a singing voice. God is not interested in whether you can sing with the Metropolitan Opera – He wants the heart to express love for Him. The words of the songs should move our hearts. The message of the hymn should cause our lives to be uplifted with the joy of salvation. Singing with understanding knows the power of song in praising my Lord who saved me. Meditate on the words of the song to help my heart fill the halls of Heaven with my praise.

Prayer and song. Understand their value. Know how they will change my life today. Worship God in prayer and song today.

I wept at the beauty of your hymns and canticles, and was powerfully moved at the sweet sound of your church singing. These sounds flowed into my ears, and the truth streamed into my heart. (Augustine, Confessions, IX, 397)

Saturday Morning Promises – Great Stories

Then Jehu gathered all the people together, and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore, call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests. Let no one be missing, for I have a great sacrifice for Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu acted deceptively, with the intent of destroying the worshipers of Baal.

And Jehu said, “Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they proclaimed it. Then Jehu sent throughout all Israel; and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. So they came into the temple of Baal, and the temple of Baal was full from one end to the other. And he said to the one in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.” So he brought out vestments for them. Then Jehu and Jehonadab the son of Rechab went into the temple of Baal, and said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search and see that no servants of the LORD are here with you, but only the worshipers of Baal.” So they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings.

Now Jehu had appointed for himself eighty men on the outside, and had said, “If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escapes, whoever lets him escape, it shall be his life for the life of the other.” Now it happened, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, “Go in and kill them; let no one come out!” And they killed them with the edge of the sword; then the guards and the officers threw them out, and went into the inner room of the temple of Baal. And they brought the sacred pillars out of the temple of Baal and burned them. Then they broke down the sacred pillar of Baal, and tore down the temple of Baal and made it a refuse dump to this day. Thus Jehu destroyed Baal from Israel. (2 Kings 10:18-28)

Wrong Place At The Wrong Time

Jehu had a lot of blood on his hands. He reigned over Israel for twenty-eight years and did much to avenge the evil done through the house of Ahab. In one of his final acts to destroy idolatry he devised a ruse that would single-handedly wipe out the worshipers of Baal. Calling a great sacrifice requiring all the followers of Baal to attend the temple was standing room only. What a great day this would be for Baal. Everyone there was excited about the visible power of Baal worshipers and the activities of that day were filled with all the debauchery of the heathen god. Clothed in the vestments of wickedness the worship was a grand experience. Unknown to the worshipers were the eighty men selected by Jehu to carry out a murderous deed.

When the final burnt offering was completed the eighty assassins came into the temple and killed everyone. No one escaped alive. Blood filled the temple. Screams could be heard inside. Worshipers scrambled anywhere they could to find refuge but no avail. Their god did not save them. No one could save them. The temple of Baal was a place of slaughter. However this time it was the worshipers who suffered the blade. Burning the pillars of Baal the temple was torn down becoming a refuse dump for many years to come.

Before Jehu locked the doors of the temple sealing the fate of worshipers he and Jehonadab made an announcement to the Baal worshipers to make certain there were no worshipers of Jehovah God in their midst. Quickly searching among the crowd anyone found to be a follower of the Lord was removed. The text does not say if any such individuals were found but the decree was made nonetheless. Remember what the invitation said? The feast was only for the prophets of Baal, all his servants and all his priests. What would a child of God be doing in a place like that? Why would a follower of the one true God find himself in a place such as the temple of Baal? Is it possible that some servants of God deceived the crowd to believe they were worshipers of Baal? If so, they were at the wrong place at the right time because they would be killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is such a powerful lesson.

There are Christians today who believe they can mingle with the things of the world and remained unstained. Like the worshipers of Baal they embed themselves in unholy practices believing they are safe from harm. On the one hand there will be saints putting themselves in places they should not be when the Lord comes and then what? I remember a lesson from youth that was told in a Bible class: what if you are in such and such a place when the Lord comes – what will the Lord find? It is a sobering thought. It is easy to live with the idea there is no fear of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time but it will happen. If the Lord does not come in our lifetime what reason do children of God have in going to things that not wholesome for God’s people? Can we escape the pollution of the world when we are standing in the midst of the pig pen? We smell like what we live in. When we live in the world with all its trappings we smell like the world. Shame on us.

It is a puzzle that Jehu would have to make such announcement. Why would any child of God find themselves in the temple of Baal? I am afraid we have to say the same thing today in many places. “Would all Christians please leave …..” Sad. That is a great story.

Friday Morning Reflections – Wisdom Literature

He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears. (Proverbs 26:17)

Dog Troubles

Get the picture firmly in mind. A man has a snarling dog by the ears. The dog is snapping, barking and spitting at the one who holds him by the ears. He is angry and he wants to bite the man who dared involve himself with something not his own. On the other hand the man knows he must hold on tight to the ears of the dog (causing more pain and aggravation) because if he lets go the dog is going to tear into him. He now wishes he had let the dog alone. Meddling in the affairs not his own finds himself looking down the throat of a barking dog intent on ripping this man to shreds is a moment of clarity. Next time (if he gets out of this situation alive) he will let sleeping dogs lie.

Frankness characterizes the proverbs. This simple proverb is direct. There is an image that is vividly placed within the mind about those who would meddle in affairs not their own. It is not the intent of the Holy Spirit to suggest we do not look out after the needs of our brethren because we are our brother’s keeper. However this proverb points out the dangers of being busybodies, gossips and those who stick their noses into things they should well leave alone. The apostle Paul would exhort the brethren in Thessalonica to lead quiet lives and mind their own business instead of being busybodies in other people’s affairs. That is the danger. Some folk just have a notion they must tell others what and how they ought to do things when they should mind their own affairs.

One of the greatest problems in human relations is gossipers and busybodies. The New Testament epistles are filled with admonitions warning against those who mind the business of others as meddlers. You might as well grab a dog by the ears.

The gossiper stands in Syria and kills in Rome. (Talmud J. Peah. I.I., c. 500)

Thursday Morning Thankfulness – Epistles of Paul

And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15)

Tough Love And Loving Tough

The church is made up of people and this can be a problem sometimes. Satan knows the children of God are susceptible to arguing, fussing, fighting and he works hard to cause as much disharmony in the ranks of God’s people as he can. The early church began with a powerful testimony of unity as new saints joined together as one. But problems began to arise with neglect, murmuring, lying, prejudice, false doctrine – the list goes on. Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth describes a group of saints reeling under the wiles of the devil as they fought against carnality, sexual immorality, rebellion, false doctrine, division, and a host of destructive heresies. Every church in the New Testament suffered from the blight of sin. The church at Thessalonica was no exception.

The Thessalonians were a stalwart group of disciples. Paul’s commendation of them was glowing. However, like all other churches they had problems. The apostle exhorted the brethren in his second letter to take note of anyone who would not obey the word of God as given in his letters. New Testament disciples were privileged to live in a time when men spoke from the Holy Spirt and Paul’s letters were not mere correspondences of information but holy scriptures set forth as doctrine for all to obey. Refusal to follow the tenets of early apostolic writing was rebellion against God. Paul warns the church of the Thessalonians to refuse fellowship with any who would not follow the word of God.

Discipline is two-fold. First it is established by teaching, instructing and guiding. The majority of discipline is found in the area of teaching. If instructive discipline fails there is a need for punitive discipline. Refusal to obey the instructive discipline requires an action of a punitive nature. The Holy Spirit directed that if saints at Thessalonica refused to obey the word of God they were to be punished. The intimacy of fellowship was to be withdrawn so the rebellious Christian would feel ashamed. This was an exercise of tough love but a much needed action. Like the correction of a child the punishment was intended to bring pain but with the prayer the painful experience would help to mold the heart to obedience.

One of the most important aspects of punitive discipline is to remember the rebellious brother or sister is not an enemy. When we correct our children they do not become our enemy because we still love them fervently. The purpose of the correction is to change the heart. If someone in Thessalonica refused to obey the will of the Lord the brethren were to take punitive action to cause the hearts of the rebellious to repent but in the vein of love for their souls. The admonition was from a heart of brotherly love.

It is sad to see brethren walk away from the truth. The attitudes of the heart will make brethren turn from the saving grace of God to their own desires. They are still our brethren and we should continue to pray for them. Refusal to practice church discipline in the punitive manner is rebellion against God. Churches that refuse to admonish brethren through the means of punitive discipline are rebelling against God. Souls are at stake. It takes a tough love to love people enough to exercise this kind of love.

Love is a union of wills. The perfect love of God is a perfect union of wills with God: that means the inability to will anything that God does not will. (Thomas Merton, The Waters of Siloe, 1949)