The Heaton File

For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good and simple concerning evil. (Romans 16:19)

Wise In Good And Innocent Concerning Evil

There is a simple plan to deal with evil that has always been true. The man Job was a righteous man who was blameless and upright, feared God and shunned evil. He planned to stay as far away from evil as he could. He refused to be part of anything that was evil. The appearance of those things unrighteous would bring an immediate reaction from Job. He ran away from it. The simple plan to deal with evil was to stay away from it. Job was not a sinless man, but he had learned the art of sinning less. Evil was not in his language or behavior.

The wisdom found in righteousness not only has benefits in the life to come but also serves as a model by which to live in this life. Godliness is a better way to live with greater benefits than following the way of ungodliness. Paul wanted the Roman Christians to be wise in all things good and to have an innocence of evil because of their unfamiliarity with such things. To be wise in the world is not always a good thing. The spirit of temptation can become stronger with greater knowledge of evil. Paul’s commendation was to stay far away from evil and embrace goodness and righteousness.

Trying to live a holy life requires training the mind not to be disposed to do wrong. Filling the heart with the goodness of God’s grace will incline the heart to be more holy and pure. If someone lives so close to the line of evil to prove their courage, they show their weakness in not understanding the power of sin. The wise man suggested no one can take fire into his bosom and his clothes not be burned. Playing with fire will lead to injuries by fire. Learning to be wise in the word of God will help the heart find fewer consequences to the ravages of sin.

Being disposed to righteousness is planned. Refusing to yield to wickedness is also planned. The heart must be determined to seek every good and reject every evil. There must be a concerted effort of the heart and mind to hate those things that are evil, despise the wicked way, and repudiate the nature of the devil’s wiles. The children of God must always seek to place themselves apart from the influence of the world. Being a friend of the world makes one an enemy of God. Jesus taught that it is impossible to serve God and mammon because one will be loved and one will be hated.

To be wise in goodness is to learn everything there is to know about what defines goodness. The Bible is the only message from God that describes the true nature of goodness. Faith comes from hearing the word of God because the wisdom of holiness is established in the divine book. Reading the Bible will help the heart find the goodness of God. Growing in faith from the message of the gospel elevates the heart to serve God and deny the trials of temptation. Being wise in that which is good and innocent of those things evil is the pure heart desired by the Lord.

Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (Romans 15:14)

Full, Filled, And Able

Character is defined by a person’s decisions that identify them as an individual. Reputation is what others perceive of the character of another. The reputation of a person is often a reflection of the perceived character of the individual. Paul’s message of encouragement to the saints in Rome was based upon what he had heard of them because he had never met them or visited the church in Rome. As he finishes his letter to Rome, he confides in them the confidence he shared with them at the beginning of the letter.

Paul’s great desire was to visit the church in Rome to impart some spiritual gift to them. He wanted to establish their faith further as he had heard of their work in the kingdom. Having never met them, he knew their struggles, commending them for being examples of faith. In the letter, Paul admonished the brethren to seek peace and hold fast to the promises of God. Showing that both Jews and Gentiles needed the saving blood of Jesus Christ. Only the righteous act of God in giving His only begotten Son was salvation made possible. Living for Jesus required a life of living sacrifice.

Though he had never seen them, Paul had complete confidence in them for three reasons. First, they were full of goodness. The saints in Rome had a spirit of devotion to the work of the Lord. Paul’s letter to Rome was a difficult treatise to read and practice. He knew they would accept the letter with a spirit of love for God and willingness to obey. Abraham is an example of someone who never questioned the word of the Lord. He obeyed immediately because he trusted in God. The Romans understood that character because they believed in the word of God as divine truth. There would be no hesitancy to follow the commands of the Lord.

To be full of goodness is to accept the word of the Lord with an unquestioning heart, soul, and mind. Too often, people want to argue about what God says, but how often will arguing with God change His word? The Roman saints accepted the letter of Paul as the divine truth that would answer the question of salvation for Jews and Gentiles. They would see the power of God’s glory in the gospel as it united Jews and Gentiles together.

Second, they were filled with all knowledge. Paul reminded the saints that faith is born from hearing the word of God. Centuries before, Hosea the prophet brought the charge of the Lord against Israel because they had rejected knowledge and forgotten the law of the Lord. Israel was destroyed for lack of knowledge. Faith comes from the word, and the Roman saints were filled with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The work of the kingdom would grow with saints filled with knowledge. Jesus defeated Satan with the word of God. The Romans would defeat Satan with the same word.

Finally, Paul says they were able also to admonish one another. Knowledge is a vital part of the Christian’s life and the work of the church. What is also important is the relationship between brethren. What made the work of admonishing one another more challenging was the mixture of Jew and Gentile. Paul’s letter shows the unity of the body of Christ regardless of Jew and Gentile. He had full confidence in their desire to accept all those who came to Christ and were cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. There are no distinctions in the kingdom of Christ. In a divided world of Jew and Gentile, slave and free, and male and female, the church of the Lord was a unit of cohesion for the glory of God. Admonish one another. Build one another up in the most holy faith. Instruct others in the way of the Lord.

A church family would do well to be known as a full, filled, and able church. These traits do not come easily, but they can be learned. What made the church in Rome an example for the other churches was its reputation, which came from its character. Paul had never met these brethren, but he knew them. If Paul were living today, what would he say about my church family? The work of the church is many things. Paul offers a three-pronged approach to church work. Learn how to be full of goodness, fill the family with knowledge, and be able to admonish everyone.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

We Have Access By Faith

There are many buildings and places that are not accessible to the public. While there was a time any citizen could visit the President of the United States in the White House, open access to the President ended in the 1940s at the beginning of the Second World War. No one can enter the Pentagon without special permission. Businesses restrict access to the public in certain places. Access is prohibited in some parts of the country, such as military bases, scientific research facilities, and secret areas like Area 51 in Nevada. Coca-Cola does not allow anyone to enter the safe where the ingredients for their brand are stored. Fort Knox is regarded as one of the most secure places in the world. Access denied.

The security measures restricting access only allow those individuals who need to be there to go behind closed doors or gates. Entering some of these secure places requires special permission and extensive vetting. Enjoying the clearance to roam these prohibited places is only experienced by a few. Abraham Lincoln allowed politicians and diplomats to stand in line with woodsmen from the Midwest with muddy boots. Access to the President of the United States, one of the most powerful men on earth, is severely limited in the modern era.

There is one place greater than all the man-made secure locations on earth that the child of God can access. Paul writes the Christian has access by faith into the grace of God. There are many blessings in being called a child of God; one that cannot be appreciated enough is the divine blessing of allowing the creation to stand in the presence of the Creator. God invites men to seek His presence, and He will allow it. To have access is the act of bringing to God those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. Not everyone has this access, but that is not the fault of God. He has opened the doors of Heaven for anyone willing to obey Him to come to Him through grace.

It does not matter if the person is rich or poor. Whatever nationality they are is permitted. There is no restriction to access with the Father when a person comes to God through the blood of Jesus. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus told the eleven He was going to prepare a way for man to come into the presence of the Father. He would make a way to abide (dwell) with the Father. Jesus said there were many rooms in the presence of His Father, meaning no one would be denied if they obeyed.

When someone obeys the gospel, they become children of God, giving them access to all the divine blessings of God. The greatest blessing God tells His children is that He desires for them to have access to where He dwells. A child of God is brought to the Father to remain with Him – forever. Access is granted to be in the presence of the Lord God and magnify His name throughout the eternal ages. The Christian has access to the Holy Spirit and the Father through Christ. This access comes with the boldness and confidence through faith in Him.

Jesus is the access to the Father. There is only one way to the Father, and that access is granted by the blood of Jesus. Only in the truth of Jesus Christ can one find God. Life is given to all those who seek access to God by doing His will. When access is granted, the heavenly storehouse of blessings opens up every day, leading to the final victory over death, being brought by angels to the bosom of Abraham, and seeing the Father God face to face. We have access! Praise God.

So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” He answered and said to them, “He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.” Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.” Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” (Luke 3:10-14)

How The World Thinks

John the Baptist served as the forerunner for Jesus Christ, preparing the way for the Son of God. His teaching was bold, abrupt, and left no questions about the need for repentance. He preached a message of change. The world stood at odds with John’s teaching as he preached sermons for the hearts and minds of men to stop thinking like the world. Repentance is a heart issue. John’s fierce message of spiritual revolution attracted the devoted among God’s people and influenced the Roman world because of its radical change.

The people who heard John were astonished. Some asked the forerunner what they needed to do to change. John’s answers were decisive and clear. He showed them how the world does not abide by the doctrines of God. The way the world thinks is based on pride. Covetousness is the carnal sin of the world because men are more interested in gaining possessions and hoarding everything for themselves. John preaches a message of benevolence. Tunics were a vital part of the Bible world. God always wanted the needy to be cared for. If a man had two tunics and someone was in need, they would give them a tunic. The tunics were important parts of the Bible times. They were used for protection, shade, and, on a cold night, warmth. Under the Law of Moses, the poor were always to be respected and cared for.

John compared the attitude of the world with the heart of those who serve God. The world did not care for the needy. In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, Lazarus was in need, and the rich man never shared his wealth. The rich man characterized the world view of covetousness and greed. Lazarus wanted only the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. John taught the people of God to help those who hunger and thirst. The abundance a man possesses is given to them by the Lord to share with others.

During the Roman occupation, Jews would be hired to serve as tax collectors. These men would be required to levy the tax prescribed by Rome. It was also the common practice of tax collectors to collect above the levied tax at their discretion. The Romans did not care as long as they received the tax required, which made tax collectors very rich men. John told the tax collectors to be honest and collect only the amount prescribed by Rome. This would have been a difficult thing to do. Learning contentment and honesty was not the common practice among tax collectors. The world taught men to take advantage of others, while the Lord taught His disciples to be honest and truthful.

Roman soldiers wielded great power over the populace. They could do anything they wanted without fear of retribution. All citizens were required to obey the soldiers except for Roman citizens. Soldiers would use intimidation to get what they wanted. If they falsely accused someone, they could take what they had. They could also steal from businesses and individuals with impunity. John told the soldiers to be honest and content with their Roman wages. This was a radical teaching for the soldiers accused of doing whatever they wanted whenever they wanted.

John was not only the forerunner of Jesus, but his teachings were also the preamble to the teachings of Jesus. The Holy Spirit taught the same message in the early church, where the contrast of the world is at odds with the virtues of the Christian. Disciples of Jesus need to be benevolent in their care for others. There must be an example of honesty and truthfulness in the lives of Christians. Contentment is the principle whereby the follower of Jesus shows the world what is important. These principles are taught throughout the New Testament so the Christian can let his light shine among men, and the world can see God and glorify Him. The child of God should not have the spirit or mind of the world. Their lives should be changed to be like Jesus Christ.