The Heaton File

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Which Way Are You Going?

Tombstones tell great stories. One such cemetery had a tombstone that read, “Pause now, stranger as you pass by; as you are now, so once was I. As I am now, so soon you’ll be. Prepare yourself to follow me!” Someone had placed a piece of wood next to the tombstone, “To follow you, I’m not content until I know which way you went.”

One of the certainties of death is it comes with direction. In other words, death sends an eternal spirit in one of two paths. To believe that death is final and nothing after death is a fool’s errand of eternal consequence. God did not create a world and form man from the dust of the ground for no reason. The nature of man declares he is an eternal creature demanding the acceptance there is something more to death than emptiness. Everything known about the unknown is revealed in the word of God. God created man in His image for His glory. The justice of the Lord demands judgment on the actions of men. If there were nothing beyond death, man would debase himself to be nothing but an animal.

Eternity is real because man is a creature formed to live forever. The purpose of creation was to form a creature that would worship Him and magnify the glory of an eternal God. Humanity is the highest of God’s creation because he is eternal. Jesus Christ came to save the world from the darkness of eternal condemnation. When the creation denies the power of his Creator, there must be consequences. God is not willing that any should suffer condemnation, but His righteousness demands justice against all that deny Him. What kind of God would He be if the Creator ignored the arrogance and pride of human wisdom? Righteousness demands accountability.

There are two paths after death. The Bible describes one place as the bosom of Abraham, indicating peace and comfort. For those who angels do not carry to Paradise, a terrible and horrific place exists. It is a place of torment, flame, darkness, suffering, agony, and eternal horror. That is the only choice given. Denying there is a place of torment does not take away its reality. Most people refuse to believe in Hell. Their belief will be changed when they experience its reality. God is a loving God but also a God of wrath.

He saved Noah and his family and destroyed everything with the breath of life outside the ark. How many millions of souls perished in the flood should be a question that drives the heart to believe in God’s judgment against unrighteousness. Jesus offers salvation through His blood. God’s love gave us His Son. The joy of salvation is found in death when the chosen path is eternal life. Do you know where you are going when you die?

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)

Six Examples Of Faith

The power of a godly example in a world of darkness is how the glory of God is revealed to lost souls. People of faith have always lived separately from the world’s influences because they have followed the divine pattern of righteousness. Enoch was a man who pleased God and was spared death as the Lord took him. Abraham was chosen as the father of the faithful through his devotion to the word of God. Moses was separated by the will of the Lord to lead God’s people to the promised land. David showed great faith in defeating Goliath and became known as a man after God’s own heart. Daniel and his three friends are examples of courage in the face of danger because they trusted in the power of God.

Faith is manifested in the lives of the faithful through devotion to the will of God and a desire to show the glory of God to the world. Paul encouraged Timothy to present himself as an example of faith. There were six things the apostle wanted Timothy to consider in his life that would make him a proper example of godliness and faith. These attributes serve well to anyone who desires to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Each one has its own strength that fortifies the other to complete a man as the perfection of maturity in Christ. When a man follows the advice of Paul to Timothy, they will not only save themselves but help others come to know the power of God’s grace.

The first example of faith is found in the word of God. Faith comes from the word. Without growing in a knowledge of the divine will of the Father, faith will perish. Paul wanted Timothy to be an example of a man knowledgeable of God’s word. This requires time and effort to study and meditate on the word. The Bible is the fully revealed word of God. Its contents cannot be exhausted in a lifetime, but the more a man knows, the greater his faith is in fighting against the wiles of the devil. A man’s manner of life will change through a knowledge of the word. To be an example in conduct is to allow the word to change the spirit of the human heart to be like Christ. Forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and a host of godly characteristics become the nature of man as the word dwells in him.

A third example of having a godly heart is to show love. The world is lacking in love. Paul reminds Timothy of the power of an example of love towards others and God. Love is the bond of peace holding together all the elements of godliness. When a man loves God, he will know how to love others; even enemies. This is contrary to the world’s philosophy. In the body of Christ, love reigns in the heart, which is an example of the spirit of God. The word of God measures the passions of the heart. Pride and arrogance are displaced by humility and meekness. The spirit of the Christian is an example to the world.

Finally, an example of faith is found in those who spend time in the word, showing in their manner of life how much they love God and one another, proving their passions are for the Lord and not the flesh. Faith is a beacon whose light shines according to what is in the heart. Through the measure of faith, the heart purifies itself of the dross of sin, seeking righteousness over unrighteousness. To be an example of purity can only come from growing faith. Purity dampens the passions of the heart to show the love of God. When the world speaks against Christians, they see God glorified by the good works of righteousness and the examples of faith. Six examples of faith can change the hearts of all those who want to see God.

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)

Perseverance Is Hard Work

Gary Player won more international golf tournaments in his day than anyone else. People have told him throughout his career, “I’d give anything if I could hit the golf ball like you.” On one particularly tough day, Player was tired and frustrated when once again he heard that comment, I’d give anything if I could hit the ball just like you.” Player’s usual politeness failed him as he replied tersely to the spectator, “No, you wouldn’t. You’d give anything to hit a golf ball like me if it was easy. Do you know what you’ve got to do to hit a golf ball like me? You’ve got to get up at five o’clock in the morning every day, go out on the course, and hit one thousand golf balls. Your hand starts bleeding; you walk up to the clubhouse, wash the blood off your hand, slap a bandage on it, and go out and hit another thousand golf balls. That’s what it takes to hit a golf ball like me.”

Perseverance is the ingredient to the Christian life. It takes the character of hitting the golf ball day after day, hours without end, to be successful. Knowing the Bible takes endless hours of reading and studying to come to a mature understanding of scripture. It does not happen all at once. If you have a daily Bible reading and prayer life, you will notice the subtle changes taking place. But it takes time. A child grows gradually, and a child of God grows gradually. Concerns are raised if a child does not show signs of growth, and doctors are called. The development of a child of God is harder to detect, but sadly, many who have been Christians for many years are still infants in the knowledge of God.

The idea of perseverance is the ability to keep on keeping on regardless of what is happening. Having a determined spirit to overcome a temptation requires a diligent heart unyielding to the corruption of sin. Satan can be defeated. The Holy Spirit tells the Christian to resist the devil, and he will flee. It takes a strong heart that has been exercised daily to overcome the wiles of the evil one. If a person begins each day with a renewed spirit of courage to overcome what needs to be done that day, they will find that in time, they can ‘hit the ball straighter and further.’

Professional athletes spend many hours honing their skills. Doctors become greater surgeons through endless hours of study and learning. The mature Christian is someone who has spent time in the Book, listening to the voice of God, talking to the Father, and encouraging one another. Experience is a great tutor of perseverance. Having a persistent spirit to remain faithful to the Lord is the singular goal of the Christian. They ask, “How can I become stronger?” And then they spend hours on the range hitting thousands of balls. If you want greater faith, put in the effort and you will be rewarded.

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:31-33)

Big Words For Small Faith

Words of courage are more easily said before the fight begins. Peter was a confident spirit with more self-reliance in his faith than he possessed. He did not know how much his life would change in less than 24 hours, but nothing could have prepared him for the events that would escalate to the murder of his beloved teacher and friend, Jesus. Among the apostles, there was envy and jealousy who would sit at the right and left of Jesus when He became king. The twelve failed to grasp the nature of the coming kingdom. As a result of their ignorance, they argued among themselves about who should be considered the greatest.

Jesus knew His hour had come, and to hear the twelve arguing among themselves who would be regarded as the most important must have discouraged the Lord. The Lord gently rebukes the proud apostles, reminding them that greatness comes from servitude. To be the greatest among men, one must become as the younger. By directing his thoughts to Peter, Jesus warns him of the devil’s wiles seeking to destroy his faith. Jesus prayed to the Father to protect Peter, but Simon Peter was in a dangerous place. Peter did not understand what Jesus meant and boldly declared his complete, undying, fully devoted loyalty to Jesus no matter what came.

A Roman prison is a very dismal and dangerous place to be. No one wanted to spend time in a Roman jail. To die a martyr’s death is a noble aspiration. Many died for what they believed. Peter affirmed to Jesus with words of courage that he would be willing to go to prison on behalf of Jesus. He would also die for Jesus. Great words. Jesus knew the heart of Peter and understood the words meant a lot to Peter, but Jesus knew how frail Peter’s faith was. Peter did not know how weak his faith was. Courage came quickly for Peter because he had not witnessed the arrest of Jesus by a mob and trials by the Jewish council.

A few hours after Peter’s declaration of courage, Peter denied knowing Jesus. His courage had turned to cursing and then to weeping bitterly. Simon’s faith could not stand the test of those who thought the man sitting near them at the fire was a follower of Jesus. If Peter confessed, they might arrest him and put him in prison. They could have killed Peter for being a follower of the man from Nazareth. Peter denied Jesus three times. When the rooster crowed, Peter’s heart was crushed. Where was the emboldened courage that once passed the lips of the man who walked on water? Big words don’t go well with a small faith.

Peter would rebound from his denial and become one of the most influential parts of the early church. The apostle continued to struggle with his faith. He was less emboldened to speak courageous words without having proper faith. Peter’s epistles reflect the growth of the man of small faith to a disciple with great faith – and courage. If a man must suffer, let him suffer as a Christian and glorify God. Peter knew this lesson all too well.

Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, for all are Your servants. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies. I have seen the consummation of all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad. (Psalm 119:89-96)

Truth That Does Not Move

Abraham Lincoln once told of a farmer trying to teach his son how to plow a straight furrow. In the time-honored tradition, he told the boy to keep his eye on some object at the other end of the field and plow straight for it. The boy started plowing, and the farmer went about his chores.

When he returned after several hours to check on the boy’s progress, he was shocked to find something that looked like a question mark instead of straight rows. The boy had obeyed his father’s instructions. He had fixed his eyes on something on the other side of the field – a cow. Unfortunately, the cow had moved. Evidently, the father forgot to tell his son to look for a stable object that wouldn’t shift or move around.

Everyone needs direction, and the challenge becomes determining the object of that direction. Many, like the boy learning to plow, choose an object without considering the impact of the decision. A cow would make a good object to focus on if it did not move. Choosing the cow became a problem because the animal moved throughout the field grazing, causing the boy to follow its path. The furrows would have turned out much differently if the boy had chosen a tree.

The contrast between human wisdom and divine knowledge is why the world is in the shape it is in. Whenever men try to follow their own wisdom, they follow a path that always changes. The laws of men are constantly changing, superseding previous laws to fit the moral code of the day. Morality has changed dramatically from fifty years ago. Man cannot trust human laws because they change frequently. Like the cow that moves seeking greener pastures, the wisdom of the human heart changes with the winds of time.

God’s word does not change. Consider that the writings of Moses are more than three thousand years old, the Psalms of David are 2700 years old, and the epistles of Paul are two thousand years old, and they have not changed. The Bible is a complete revelation of God’s divine word, which remains unmovable and unchanged. Human wisdom attempts to rewrite the word of God, but what is settled in Heaven cannot be changed. When men set their hearts on the word of God, they find it does not move, and their lives become “straight furrows” of hope and peace.

The Bible is the divine word of God because if the Lord can create a universe that testifies to His glory, He can give the world a book that remains unchanged throughout the ages. What a man can know about the divine word in the year 1134 is the same word that a man can read today. It does not matter what culture he lives; the Bible is relevant. No book written by man can furnish every generation with truth like the Bible.

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. (Daniel 3:1-2)

False Gods

By 1590, the Japanese warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi exercised control over all of Japan. On one occasion, he commissioned a colossal statue of Buddha for a shrine in Kyoto. It took 50,000 men five years to build, and Hideyoshi himself sometimes worked incognito alongside the laborers. But the work was scarcely completed when a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in 1596 brought the roof of the shrine crashing down and wrecked the statue. In a rage, Hideyoshi shot an arrow at the fallen colossus. “I put you here at great expense,” he shouted, “and you can’t even look after your own temple!”

Nebuchadnezzar built a great image for the people to worship, but three Hebrew young men defiled the king’s order to bow and worship his image. God rescued the three Hebrews from a burning furnace, and the Holy Spirit included the story in the revelation to remind me of the one true God. The image made by Nebuchadnezzar has long been gone to the dustbin of history, but the faith of three young Hebrews lives on. The Hebrews embraced true religion and served the true God who made heaven and earth. False gods have no power; so why would a man worship such an image?

False religion has one central theme that labels it false. It is predicated on the idea that when man creates a god, it has power and a mind. What men cannot see is that the god they worship is nothing more than a creation of their imagination. The creature creates a god to become his creator and master. Isaiah, a prophet of the living God, illustrates the futility of man creating his own god when a man who goes into the forest and chops down a tree. He uses part of the tree to make a fire, cook his food, and stay warm. It takes the remainder of the tree, makes a carved image, and falls down to worship it.

The futility of creating a false god is the god cannot speak or understand. A man will fall down before an image and pray to it for deliverance. The god does not have eyes that see or hearts that know. If a fire ravages the image, man must rescue the idol. In a storm, the man must deliver his god from harm. Idols cannot save themselves. Isaiah asked, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”

Worshiping idols is a large part of religions throughout the world still today. To the mind of many in the Christian religion, the worship of idols and images is a blasphemy to the character of God. Any Christian faith that embellishes their religion with images is a false religion. Idol worship does not have to be bowing down to an image of stone, gold, or silver. In the minds of many followers of Christ, bowing down to an image is the last thing to be considered. However, idolatry is not always image driven.

Anything more important than our relationship with God is an image of idolatry and our totem. Paul said that covetousness is idolatry. What is covetousness? Seeking after the riches and materialism of the world. Covetousness is an inordinate desire for all the good things in life that bring no happiness. We make money, our homes, possessions, prestige, and pleasures the gods of our lives. The heart worships these things. Like all idols, we must care for them; they don’t care for themselves. And then a funny thing happens: we leave all our gods to someone else when we die. False religion. It’s false.

Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. (Genesis 1:20-23)

The Remarkable Arctic Tern

The Arctic Tern is one of the most remarkable birds in the world. It migrates farther than any other bird, traveling late in August from its nesting place within the Artic Circle to its winter “lodgings” in Antarctica and then back to the Artic Circle again – an annual round trip of more than 11,000 miles! These tiny birds make their long trip on nothing but the urgings and endurance God put with them. The force that drives them also empowers them for their journey.

Bald eagles are common in North America, including most of Canada, the continental United States, and northern Mexico. They are common in Alaska and can be found there all year. It is a graceful and powerful bird that soars on thermal convection currents with speeds of nearly 45 miles an hour.

Comparing the Arctic Tern and the Bald Eagle is an obvious overstatement. The Bald Eagle can weigh up to 10 pounds, while the Arctic Tern weighs 4.5 ounces. Arctic Terns have a wingspan of 33 inches compared to the wingspan of the Bald Eagle at 7 feet 7 inches. There is no comparison between the two birds. Imagine the symbol of the United States as the Artic Tern. It does not elicit great power and confidence as the Bald Eagle. But the Bald Eagle does not fly 11,000 miles a year.

What is remarkable about the Artic Tern is the reliance on his Creator. This small bird would not be on the list of creatures to fly from the edge of the earth to the other and then back again. Flying over the vast ocean, how does the bird know where to go and how far? What is the compass inside him that brings him safely to his destination and back home without fail? Where does he find the strength to make such a journey? The Bald Eagle is a large bird and majestic but has nothing on the Arctic Tern.

There are lessons to learn from this tiny creature. God can do great things with small things. Elijah learned this lesson when the Lord came to him in a small, still voice. One man can change his life to change his community, which can change the world. Leaven is tiny, but what great power it possesses. You do not have to be the majestic bird of prey to accomplish great things. The Arctic Tern has a resilient spirit that will not give up. He has so much energy bottled up inside to show God’s glory.

The Arctic Tern trusts in the God who made him. The Arctic Tern outsmarts man because man cannot bring himself to trust in his Creator. Human wisdom makes man believe he is wiser than God. Could man accomplish what the tiny bird does yearly without guidance and direction? The Lord has given you and me all we need to reach Heaven. Do you trust in God’s word? Let go and fly on the wings of faith.