The Heaton File

I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also, when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. (Psalm 71:16-18)

Enjoying Growing Older

Growing older is a natural part of the aging process. God designed the body to change over the years from the spring of youth to the winter of old age. Aging is a result of sin because God took away the tree of life that was in the Garden of Eden. Physical decay ravages the body until the day of death. Methusaleh lived to be 969 years, but he aged and died. Solomon described the aging process in great detail in the book of Ecclesiastes, which explores life, living, and dying. Everything seems to change from eyesight, strength, stability, desire, and weakness. Solomon’s admonition is to remember the Creator in one’s youth to prepare for the inevitable changes of old age.

The aging process takes place in the physical body, but for the child of God, a renewal takes place within. Seeking greater faith in old age reminds the person that the soul can be as young as desired. There is a greater maturity that comes with old age, having been spent in studying the scriptures and learning about the grace and mercy of God. Growing older can be a struggle. The afflictions of the body can cause some to be discouraged and resentful that youth has vanished. Having faith in God and knowing that aging is a natural and purposeful process should direct the mind to the eternal. As a person grows older, the reality of death and eternity becomes clearer. God wants and expects the older generation to continue fulfilling their work and responsibilities so that future generations may know Him.

Growing older is a significant time for one generation to pass on the strength of the Lord to the next. The greatest legacy someone can leave another is faithful devotion to God. Learning to love the Lord God with all the heart, soul, mind, and body is a message of hope that the next generation must accept. Generational faith is passed down from one generation to the next. The body grows old, but the mind remains steadfast in its focus on God’s will. Seeking greater faith in the winter days of life is a vital time of transition. The old saint is preparing to possess his eternal home, and the young saint has just begun their journey. Faith is the baton that must be passed from one generation to the next. It is a time of rejoicing to see the older saints still showing their love for the Lord, and it is a time of expectation for a new generation that will continue the fight for righteousness. This transition is necessary for the growth of the church.

The church is blessed with many older saints whose armor is battered and worn from years of battle. They are the heroes of the kingdom who never give up. As examples of faith and duty, older saints have promised King Jesus that they will not lay down their armor until they have declared the strength of the Lord to the next generation. They fight until the end. Their faith is what inspires the next generation. Never give up. Fight on with faith. Show the generations that follow the love of God and the promises of eternal life. Leave a beacon of light for those who follow, so that they may one day become the older generation, leaving a legacy for the next. The church is blessed beyond measure with faithful, older saints who continue to fight the good fight. Thank you for your service. The younger generation would do well to heed the counsel of the older saints, who have fought the good fight and kept the faith.

He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

He Who Believes

Jesus spoke plainly. There was never a time when Jesus was at a loss for words. His teaching was so direct that the audience was struck by His authoritative tone, clarity, and no-nonsense approach to the Jewish leaders who ridiculed Him. It did not take long for the people to see that Jesus did not care for the opinions of men if they did not follow the will of the Father. The Pharisees and scribes continually attacked His teaching, and He rebuffed them every time. Lawyers tested Him and failed. The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with political questions, but they were put to shame. Reading the gospels clearly defines the language of Jesus as simple yet profound; direct, yet with love; and never leaving any room for what Jesus taught from His Father.

Before ascending to the Father, Jesus spent forty days with the eleven, preparing them for what would be the spreading of the kingdom of God throughout the world. Jesus would not be with them as they began preaching the gospel of salvation, but the promise of the Holy Spirit would guide their hearts and minds to open the door of salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ to the Jew first and also to the Greek. The underlying message of the gospel was what a man had to do to be saved. Jesus did not come to answer the political or economic question of the day. His message was defined by telling men what they needed to do to be saved. Nothing was of more paramount importance than directing lost souls to Christ.

As Jesus prepared to leave the eleven, He gave them specific instructions that served as the overriding theme of the gospel. Jesus told the eleven to preach the gospel in every part of the world they could go and to send others across the globe to open the door of grace to a lost and dying world. The first thing Jesus wanted them to do was to go out and preach the gospel. As a result of the preaching of the gospel, honest hearts will cry out wanting to find salvation. They will ask what they need to do to be saved. What comes next has eternal consequences.

Jesus said that everyone who believes that He is the Christ, the Son of God, and is baptized, will be saved. Belief is necessary for salvation, through and by the grace and mercy of God. When someone believes in the message of the gospel, they will desire to be immersed in water (baptism). That is a natural response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When Phillip taught the man from Ethiopia the gospel of Jesus, the Ethiopian asked why he could not be baptized. It is impossible to preach Jesus without teaching water immersion. If someone does not preach baptism, they are not preaching Jesus. The Holy Spirit declared that truth with Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch. What Phillip was doing was what Jesus told the eleven apostles to do.

Everyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. That is gospel truth. There can be no deviation from that sentence. It can be ignored, but to the eternal peril of those who reject baptism as necessary for salvation. Teaching that baptism is not necessary contradicts Jesus’ teaching. Everyone who hears the gospel of Jesus Christ and is not baptized will not be saved. They will be lost, condemned, and suffer the second death. The scriptures are clear: refusing to be baptized for the remission of sins condemns a soul to perdition. There is no other answer to the question of salvation. Through the grace and mercy of God, sinners can have their sins washed away in the blood of Jesus.

Jesus did not say that a man must accept Christ in his heart to be saved. That is never found in scripture but in the book of lies told by the wisdom of men. Too many souls believe they are in a covenant with Christ because they have been saved by faith alone; not realizing they stand condemned before Jesus, who said a person must believe and be baptized to be saved. A man who does not believe will be condemned. Jesus said that plainly. It is printed on paper to emphasize its importance. Two thousand years have not changed what Jesus said.

Everyone has a choice to either believe and accept what Jesus said a man must do to be saved, or to take the doctrines of men that will condemn them to the outer darkness. When baptism becomes an outward sign only without repentance, there is no salvation. Sins are washed away in the waters of baptism and in those waters alone. No baptism – no salvation. Salvation is made possible by the grace of God through His love and His divine mercy. What must I do to be saved? Believe and be baptized for the remission of sins.

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:12)

The Importance Of Example

An example is something that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated. It is much like a tool die used to strike an image into metal in stamping. Jesus taught the disciples to be lights in the world and to be like the salt of the earth, seasoning the reasoning of human wisdom with divine examples. Examples can be good or bad. To follow a bad example is to go down the wrong path and lead others with you. It is more difficult to follow the examples of the righteous because this wisdom is opposed to the wisdom of the world. There is an innate nature of man to follow others, and the decision must always be whether the outcome is good or bad.

Paul wanted Timothy to be a good example. He exhorted Timothy to be an example to the believers. An example is best served when it knows which direction to take. Believers need examples of others living righteous lives. It is obvious that Timothy’s example to the believers would extend to non-believers, but the focus is on the work of the church. Timothy needed to be an example to the family of God. His pattern of life would benefit the work of the church, helping everyone struggling with faith to be more hopeful about the promises of God because of Timothy’s life.

The apostle did not leave the suggestion of being a good example without direction. Paul points out areas Timothy needed to focus on. He needed to be an example to the believers in word and deed. A man is judged by his words. How a man presents himself says a lot about his character. Timothy needed to show a pattern of good words seasoned with the salt of divine knowledge. There is no place for idle talk, gossip, lying, or murmuring. A child of God must be known as a person of his word. They should be viewed with the respect of an honest word.

The conduct of Timothy must be beyond reproach. A person’s manner of life reflects the fruits of his labor. The general demeanor of Timothy’s life would be a pattern any would be willing to follow. Being a good example is about living life outside the framework of a building on Sunday. The Christian life is not a prosthesis that is worn on Sunday and removed the rest of the week. An example of a godly life can only come from someone living a godly life (and the reverse is also true). The fact should be apparent that every Christian lives in a glass house. His life is under the microscope of a perverse world. Like Daniel, there is nothing to find because the word of God measures the example of life.

Love is the central part of Timothy’s heart. Not only does Timothy have a love for the Lord, but his life also shows it. Forgiveness is a key part of Timothy’s life. Showing love to others is an example of how Christians show the world God’s love for them. He is not an arrogant or rude person. The example of Timothy is love, bearing with others, hoping in God, and enduring the trials of life with a positive, godly demeanor. People of love are known as people of love. What a powerful example for believers to see a brother or sister in Christ who loves God and shows that love in their lives.

To be an example in faith is to be a person of faith. Jesus taught the disciples that a man is known by his fruits. Godliness and faith are evident in a person’s actions and are clearly defined by a person’s life. Faith is central to the core message of the Christian to the church. His faith is evident in how he engages with the work of the Lord and helps the church grow. Faith is found in action, not just in words. Those in need are cared for by brethren filled with faith. Those who are struggling are strengthened by the faithful. Timothy needed to be an example of faith for others to follow.

Finally, Paul exhorts Timothy to be an example of purity. The challenge of sin lies in its attack on the purity of the heart. There is no greater work of Satan than to corrupt and defile the heart with impurity. Timothy’s life must be above reproach. His example of purity is a pattern for others to follow. The Christian has a great influence on others when they follow the pattern of purity. It not only cleanses the individual’s heart but also helps others who struggle with impurity remain pure. Patterns are important to follow. Godliness is a pattern that must be desired to be emulated.

Being an example to others and showing oneself as an example to believers comes at a high cost. It takes much faith, prayer, and meditation on the word of God. What the church needs are more examples like Timothy – at whatever age. Everyone needs to be an example to the believers so the work of the church can grow and the world can see the glory of Jesus Christ. Be that example.

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love. (Ephesians 3:14-17)

Rooted In Christ

In the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California, some of the largest trees in the world grow. The huge sequoias tower almost 300 feet into the sky. The largest tree, called General Sherman, has a circumference of 102.6 feet at its base and a height of 274.9 feet. Botanists now know that some of the biggest sequoias are almost 4,000 years old – which means that at the time of Jesus, they were already more than 100 feet tall. But even these giants wouldn’t be able to stand against the California winds without a strong root system. Not only do their roots sink into the soil, but they also intertwine around the roots of other trees.

When God created Adam, He knew it was not good for man to be alone. Eve was created, and the family was established. Soon, the world was filled with the offspring of Adam and Eve. People need other people. God did not create humanity to depend on itself but to embrace a community and a nation. When the Lord confused the language of the people at Babel, He created the national footprint of the world where communities were established and formed. The stronger the bond between the citizens, the stronger the nation. Communities that banded together as one had more strength.

In the animal kingdom, the principle of protecting one another is seen in how animals band together to defend the defenseless. Chimpanzees, elephants, otters, and dolphins are a few species that work together to protect one another. The sequoia trees illustrate how strength comes not only from establishing a deep root system but also from tying that root system to other trees. Humans would learn well from the giant trees how to rely on others for protection, encouragement, and unity.

Too many people want to go their own way, do their own thing, and be an individual. One of the qualities God created when He established the church was the need for a community of brotherhood. The scriptures refer to those of like precious faith bonding together for a common cause. Jesus established His church as a community where everyone cares for one another, keeping them strong in the face of trials. A strong church comes from strong arms embracing others to put a united face against the wiles of the devil.

Homes must have a strong base where husbands and wives are embraced in their love for God. Parents must be united together in the word of God, teaching their children to be enraptured by the grace of God. A family united in God is a family at peace. It takes effort and it takes work. God has given His word to show the world how to establish a solid foundation in Jesus Christ. When the storms of life come, trees rooted deep and intertwined with others will be able to withstand the wiles of the devil. Having deep roots in Jesus Christ will guarantee the hope of the promise God gives to encircle His people. Let Christ dwell in the heart through faith. Be rooted and grounded in love.

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. (Hebrews 10:12-13)

The One Sacrifice

The Garden of Eden was where the grace of God was first realized after the fall of man. Before the Lord expelled Adam and Eve from the garden, He clothed them in tunics of skin. This required the death of some animals to clothe Adam and Eve. From the beginning of time, animal sacrifice has been necessary to establish a covenant between God and man. Since the first sacrifice of Abel, the firstborn of his flock and their fat, untold millions of animals have been offered up for the atonement of sin.

After the flood, Noah took of every clean animal and every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. When the Lord came to Abraham to reaffirm the covenant, animals were sacrificed. Moses established the Law with the Hebrews at Sinai with sacrifice, sprinkling the blood on the people to remind them of the blood covenant which the Lord made with them. Under the Law of Moses, compulsory sacrifices could number more than 1,269 a year. The numbers would be in the tens of thousands, reflecting offerings from special feast days and sacrifices by individuals.

When Solomon was anointed king of Israel, they made sacrifices to the Lord and burnt offerings, including one thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and one thousand lambs. At the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, twenty-two thousand bulls and one hundred and twenty thousand sheep were sacrificed. Earlier, when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to the Temple, sheep and oxen were sacrificed that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. During the reforms of Asa, seven hundred bulls and seven thousand sheep were sacrificed from the spoil of war against the Ethiopians.

Animal sacrifice has represented the atonement of man to God for generations, leading up to the death of Jesus Christ. With all of the millions of animals killed and sacrificed for the sins of the people, the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. There had to be a greater sacrifice. An animal is not made in the image of God. Its blood is not made in the image of the Divine. Man is the only creature made in the image of God, sharing an eternal nature. Among all men, none could be sacrificed who were unblemished. God required sacrifice from the unblemished and unbroken. Great men of faith were blemished. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, tainting the sacrifice. What was needed was a man who was without sin.

Jesus Christ became a man to live under the Law of Moses and to live a sinless, perfect life. He began His ministry at the age of thirty and some three years later was murdered by the world. In the totality of the life of Jesus, He never sinned. He prayed for those who were killing Him. His work from the Father was complete to bring about the ultimate sacrifice to redeem man. The power of His sacrifice is that men are justified before God through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. By one offering, He perfected forever those who are sanctified. Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. The high priest had to enter the Most Holy Place every year with the blood of animals. Jesus suffered once at the end of the ages to put away sin by His sacrifice.

There is no more need for the sacrifice for sin because Jesus made His life the atonement for sin as a gift to all men. His one sacrifice redeemed man. The one cross united God with man. There can be no salvation in the blood of animals. Jesus came once to earth to open the way, to show the truth, and to give life. There will be no other way to the Father. He is the only Word. His blood is the true path to eternal life. That is why there is only one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all. Thank you, Jesus, for the one sacrifice.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “That it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

Striving To Raise Godly Children

One of the greatest gifts given to man is the ability to create life by the power of God. Children are a heritage from the Lord, a divine gift. Through the power of childbearing, a man and woman declare the glory of God in His creative wisdom to form an eternal being that will never cease to exist. God gives the body life and creates the child in His image. When a child is born into the world, they enter a physical world that will be temporary for a span of years. As a created being from God, the heart, soul, and mind must be formed to recognize their Creator and to find their purpose in life to the glory of the Father. Children are created for God’s glory.

In the creation, the Lord told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply. It was God’s design to bring children into the world by the union of a man and a woman. In the beginning, man was created for the glory of God, and that glory should continue in the children. What Satan accomplished in the garden was to deceive the woman into following his wisdom, and sin entered the world. This impacted the family structure immediately. After being expelled from the garden, Adam and Eve bore children. Their first son was Cain, and then Abel was born. The power of sin destroyed the family when Cain killed his brother Abel. Adam and Eve experienced the consequence of sin in its most terrible form – death.

The challenge of parenting has always been the desire to raise godly children. For most of the world, the primary purpose of parenting is to bring children into the world for selfish reasons and teach them to live for selfish reasons. God is not taught in the home, the word of God is not honored, and the lives of the children are measured by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. The people of God strive to instill in their children the presence of God in their lives. Having godly children does not happen easily; it is not about being lucky parents, and it is not accomplished without great effort. Godly children do not just happen – they are formed in the schoolroom of the divine word of God on a daily basis. Godly children come from godly parents who demonstrate godly character in their daily lives.

Seeking greater faith involves instilling that faith in the hearts of children to be godly. Godliness is profitable for life to keep children from the harmful darts of Satan. Children must be taught to love the Lord with all their hearts to keep them from the evil one. Time must be spent in forming the heart to love God and His word. The Bible must be a constant source in the lives of the children as they see how much their parents love the Lord. Each generation is taught the grace and mercy of a loving God who desires for them to enjoy eternal life. Ultimately, the role of the parent is to instruct their children into everlasting life. Children must develop their own faith, but parents must lay the foundation for the child to build upon.

Raising godly children begins with godly parents. Satan desires to have our children in his world of lust and immorality. Being a parent is not for the faint of heart. Moses told the people that it required a daily regimen of diligence in the word of God and learning how to love the Lord. Parents who want their children to go to Heaven will do everything in their power to nurture their children’s hearts to serve the Lord, because that is all that truly matters. Riches, popularity, and pleasures are fleeting. Godliness is eternal. Faith begins in the word of God. Build the home on the foundation of God’s word, live according to the word, and let your children see how much you love God and His Son, Jesus Christ. So often, children tend to grow up to be just like their parents, despite their best efforts. Where are you leading your children? Teach them godliness. Show them Christ. You are the first impression of who God is in their life. Show them His glory.

So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. (Daniel 6:16-17)

A Daily Faith

The story of Daniel’s faith is a hallmark of godly devotion in a time of crisis. Along with his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Abed-Nego, Daniel had been taken captive from Judah under the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. As captives to a foreign nation, the four young men were at the mercy of captors who did not serve the true and living God. When they arrived in Babylon and were assigned to serve in the king’s palace, they were indoctrinated into the Babylonian culture through language, education, and diet. It was the latter concern for the kinds of foods they would eat, the four purposes in their hearts not to accept. It was an incredible test of faith.

Through God’s grace, Daniel and his friends were exempt from defiling themselves with the king’s delicacies. Their faith established a pattern that would follow them all their lives. The faith of the four was tested when Nebuchadnezzar began killing the wise men because they could not reveal a dream he had or give its interpretation. Daniel interceded, and as he and his friends prayed, the Lord revealed the dream and its meaning. Their faith was clearly evident in their lives, as they trusted in the Lord’s will to do the impossible.

Hanahiah, Mishael, and Abed-Nego faced their own crisis when Nebuchadnezzar set up a gold image on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. He commanded everyone to fall down and worship the gold image that the king had set up. The three men from Judah refused, knowing the penalty for disobedience was death by the fiery furnace. God delivered the three men from certain death, and their faith prompted the king to praise the one true God.

The Medes defeated the Babylonians, and Darius became the ruler of the kingdom. Darius set over his kingdom 120 satraps (governors), to be over the whole kingdom. Daniel, in his eighties or nineties, was also chosen as one of the satraps. Jealousy arose against Daniel because he had distinguished himself above all the other governors and satraps, because he had an excellent spirit. The king considered putting Daniel over the whole realm. This angered his political enemies, who devised a plan to destroy him. Their efforts were in vain because they could find no charge or fault in Daniel’s life.

Daniels’ faith was evident. He was not a perfect man, but he lived perfectly before the Lord. Failing to find something to accuse Daniel, his enemies used his faith against him. The only way to accuse Daniel was to find something against him concerning the law of the Lord. Daniel was taught from an early age to pray three times a day. As an older man, Daniel continued to pray three times a day, and for this, he was arrested and charged. The penalty for disobeying the king’s command (trumped up falsely by others) was death by lions. The king was deeply remorseful about having Daniel executed, but Persian law could not be changed.

The summation of Daniel’s law came from the lips of the king of the Medes, when Darius said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve toninually, He will deliver you.” There was no question where Daniel’s faith was found. Darius did not believe in the one true God, but he knew Daniel did. The life of Daniel was an expression of faith and love to the Lord – even in the face of Babylonian captivity. Like Joseph, Daniel did not allow his surroundings to define his faith. His faith was a daily walk with God. Everyone knew what Daniel believed. Even the enemies of Daniel knew the only way to trap him was to find something in his faith.

The lessons are legion. Christians have the greatest opportunities to show the dark world the light of Jesus Christ by their example of faith. Daniel’s faith should be an example of how those who are in the grace of Jesus Christ let the world know they serve only one Lord. Live in such a way that the king of the Medes would honor you by saying you serve the Lord continually. Do you serve the Lord continually?

It happened after this that David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” (2 Samuel 2:1)

David Inquired Of The Lord

There are two kinds of people in the world. What separates men from one another is whether they seek the Lord or not. In the early days of the earth, the generation of Cain followed after wickedness, and the generation of Seth sought the righteousness of God. By the time of Noah, the two had merged into a wicked conflagration of evil that brought the wrath of God to destroy them. God gave Israel a choice of life and death when He told them to seek Him with all their heart. They refused. The key to understanding the difference in the hearts of men lies in David’s response after learning of Saul’s death.

Saul had been killed along with his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. When the news reached David, he was crushed and mourned and wept and fasted until evening. David had been anointed king to replace Saul and faced the burden of leading the people of God in a time of civil war. The first thing that David did was to inquire of the Lord. Unlike Saul, who often presumed what God wanted, David asked the Lord whether he wanted him to go up to any of the cities of Judah. The Lord told him to go. Then David inquired of the Lord again, asking where he should go up. God directed him to go to Hebron.

David was a man of war. He was skilled in warfare. It would be easy for a man of his caliber to view himself as a great leader who needed no one to guide him. The humility of David’s heart began with asking God where he needed to go and to which city. David inquired of the Lord first before beginning his journey. The will of the Lord was first in his life in making decisions – all decisions. David trusted in the word of the Lord rather than his own wisdom. Saul lost God’s favor because he did not put God’s will first in his life. Looking for God’s blessing to guide his path, David inquired of the Lord.

Jesus taught His disciples to seek first the kingdom of God. He taught them the principle of David’s example that everything in life must begin with inquiring about what the Lord desires. The power of prayer is seeking the counsel of the Lord before acting. When the heart is tuned to the word of God, the wisdom of man is never put first. In everything a man does, he wants to know what the Lord wants him to do. This applies to every facet of life and should be taught early to children, who learn to trust in the will of the Lord to guide their lives.

When a young man and woman are considering a career, do they ask the Lord whether that path would glorify God? When job offers come, often the last thing on the mind is whether or not there is a body of believers in the area. Many take jobs on Sunday that take them away from the assembly because they did not inquire of the Lord first. When the time comes to fall in love and find that person to spend the rest of one’s life with, do they inquire of the Lord whether the choice will help them to Heaven? So often, unions are formed where the goals of the man and woman are strained because one is an unbeliever. Without inquiring of the Lord, the decision to marry may bring heartache.

David went to the place where he was most comfortable and where he had history. When facing Goliath, he trusted in God. Saul tried to kill David, but David put God’s will first by not killing the anointed of the Lord. At the death of Saul, David mourned because the anointed of God had been killed. David was a man after God’s own heart because he inquired of the Lord first. His example is well worth the lessons it offers in finding ways to inquire of the Lord in making decisions. Before making a decision – ask God first.

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father. (John 10:18)

It Was His Choice

The death of Jesus is the central theme of God’s plan to redeem the world from sin. In the Garden of Eden, God promised the Seed would bruise the head of Satan as the devil bruised the heel of the Son of God. Through the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God intertwined His divine plan to bring His Son into the world through a virgin birth and save mankind from sin, death, and Hades. Jesus was the answer to the plight of sinful man. His one sacrifice would atone for sin by one act of selfless love for His Father and for the world. When Jesus began His ministry at the age of thirty, He knew He had little time left to live.

The authority of Jesus came through His teachings and His miracles. He was the good shepherd who would lay down His life for the sheep. After healing a man who was blind from birth, Jesus caused a stir among the Jewish leadership when He challenged them of being blind to the will of God. He explained that He was not like a hireling watching over sheep who would run in fear at the first sign of danger. As a good shepherd, Jesus would die for His sheep. He also told the Pharisees His death was His choice and His choice alone. The Father loved His Son for His willingness to leave the glory of the divine to become a servant and die a horrible death.

Jesus had the power to call twelve legions of angels to rescue Him. He chose not to bring the heavenly host to earth. The miracles Jesus performed proved He was the Son of God, and He could have used His divine power to lessen His suffering, but He chose not to diminish His pain. Every part of the human experience was shared by the Son of God. He was tempted by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Through it all, Jesus never once succumbed to the wiles of the devil. His perfection was not by divine power but the will of the Son of God to please His Father and bear the cup of sorrow needed to redeem the world.

The sacrifice of Jesus must be viewed in its singular story of one man’s choice to suffer an incredible death to save the ones who were killing Him. Jesus asked the Father to forgive those who blasphemed Him, hurled insults and threats, and cursed Him. He prayed for the Romans who paid no heed to the man in the middle. When Jesus died, the crowds walked away with little care or concern about what they had witnessed. Only the few disciples (including the apostle John and Mary, the mother of Jesus) walked away with hearts crushed with love. The world had no interest in the man in the middle. They did not realize that God had died and the first day of the week was coming.

Jesus offered Himself by His own authority. He was never forced to come to earth, and He was not forced to die on the cross. Everything about the death of Jesus was the choice of the Son of God alone. He loved His Father so much that He was willing to bear the sins of the world, becoming the sacrificial lamb for all mankind. His choice was to finish the task given to Him by His Father. When Jesus died, the Father rejoiced. His Son had committed Himself to His will – fully. Three days later, God raised His Son to be Lord, Christ, and Savior. Hallelujah for Jesus making a choice to save the world. He laid His life down because of love.

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27)

Why Heaven Is So Wonderful

There has to be a reason someone would want to be in Heaven. The desire for eternal life is the strongest emotion in the heart, which is motivated by a deep desire to be in a better place than where a person is. What advantage will there be in Heaven? Why would the thought of Heaven be something to spend a lifetime seeking? What is the appeal? The Holy Spirit gives a hint to the wonderful place called Heaven when He reminds the Christian what will be lost in gaining eternal life. God promises to wipe away the tears from His children’s eyes. He will take away all sorrow and pain, and death will be no more. The reason this appeals to the Christian is the realization of what is given up in this world.

The glory of the heavenly abode is that three things will no longer be a factor in the hearts and minds of God’s children. Heaven is a place where there is nothing that defiles or that is unclean. The world is filled with defilement and unclean things. After creation and the generations of men spread across the globe, the natural desires of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life filled the hearts of men to follow after unclean and unholy things. Ungodliness and unrighteousness filled the earth as the hearts of men denied the existence of God. They knew God but refused to give Him the honor and glory due His name. The wisdom of man created idols to be worshipped. Lust filled the hearts to live under the vile passions of the flesh, where women exchanged the natural use of what is against nature to dishonor their bodies among themselves. Men left the natural use of the woman and burned in their lust for one another—fornication, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, and every sexual perversion the flesh could create flourished.

The carnal nature of man lived for his own pleasure, denying the God that made him. Every intent of the thoughts of the heart was only evil continually. The world is filled with the detestable and abominable acts of rebellion against everything holy, righteous, and pure. Men sought to worship themselves as gods, believing they were their own masters. The world became the abiding place of everything abominable or vile. As a result, men found lying more powerful than the truth. Business was run based on lies. Politics measured success through lies. Lies destroyed marriages. The common language of all men was to tell a lie. It was easier to tell a lie than tell the truth.

The world was complete. It was filled with everything unclean, detestable, false, and dishonest. The world remains in the broken condition of the human equation. Everything that defiles the nature of righteousness is accepted and propagated. The world is filled with abominations of unrighteousness. There is little truth on the lips of men. But God says there is a day coming when all the defilements will be taken away. There will be no more abominations. All liars will face the wrath of God. Among the many reasons to desire to go to Heaven, knowing the character of the world will be taken away is one of the greatest blessings of eternity.

When eternal life is given to the faithful of the Lord, there will by no means enter anything that defiles. Everything that caused an abomination will be taken away. The lips will praise the Lord God Almighty instead of telling lies. Why go to Heaven? What a joy to be in a place where the putridity of the world will be taken away. God makes it very clear that every man and woman who lives defiled by the flesh will not inherit the kingdom. He makes it very clear that every man and woman who lives the abominable lives of sexual perversion and the like will not be saved. And all liars – repeated often in scripture – will not receive eternal life. What a glory it will be to be in a place like Heaven. All the troubles of this life are gone. No tears. Sorrow is taken away. Death is destroyed. God reigns. Praise God.