The Heaton File

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. (Philemon 10-11)

The Value Of A Christian Life

Onesimus was a runaway slave that in unknown circumstances, encountered the apostle Paul while Paul was in prison. Nothing is said in scripture of how the two men met. The runaway slave was owned by a Christian and coworker of Paul named Philemon, who lived in the city of Colosse. Paul sent the slave back to his master with the good news that Onesimus had become a Christian. It took faith on the part of Onesimus to trust in the advice of Paul to return to his master. Paul was writing Philemon to assure him of the confidence he would have in a man who is now a fellow brother in the kingdom of God. Obedience to the gospel did not take away the obligations of the slave and master, but it changed the circumstance of their relationship.

Paul appeals to Philemon to recognize the value of his slave in the light of spiritual matters. As a slave, Onesimus had value simply as one who was indebted to his master. Slavery was common in the First Century. Wealthy patrons could buy slaves from pirates, which was a booming economy at the time. Many enslaved people came from conquered lands of the Romans and were sold in slave markets. Paul was keeping Roman law to admonish Onesimus to return to his master, but the circumstance had changed for Philemon. He was receiving back a man who was a child of God with greater blessings than when he left.

Obedience to the gospel of Christ changes the heart of man to enjoy the blessings of the heavenly Father. There are untold joys associated with the feeling of eternal life. Many of the blessings go beyond the knowledge of salvation in Christ to the changing of hearts of men to one another. When Onesimus became a slave of Philemon, he was not a Christian. He ran away from his master but found a greater master in Christ when Paul taught him the gospel. Becoming a Christian did not remove the obligation of Onesimus to return to his master, but the slave and master now share the same spiritual master. The bond of a holy alliance was confirmed in the relationship the two would share as fellow Christians, workers, brethren, and recipients of the grace of God. Onesimus was now “brother Onesimus,” and Philemon was now “brother Philemon.” What a joy to find the kindred spirit of Christ in others. Becoming a Christian opens up a wonderful family relationship of brotherhood not found in the world.

Paul is exhorting Philemon to receive Onesimus back in a greater manner than he might have on other occasions. There were questions to ask about why the slave ran away. Onesimus would have to answer these questions, but the unfortunate circumstance’s concerns had turned into an eternal reward of salvation and joy. Onesimus had left unprofitable but now returns with a greater value than ever before. That is what becoming a Christian will do. It changes a marriage when a husband joins a wife in the spiritual bond of the blood of Christ. There are few joys greater than children who obey the gospel of Christ, creating a family united in Christ. Fellow workers who learn of God’s grace and become Christians change the landscape of the relationship. Close friends who are baptized for the remission of sins become dearer friends than before. There are blessings in the eyes of God when a man and woman obey the gospel, but those rewards multiply for those who know them. What a joy to see the new birth coming out of the waters of baptism. A man who was unprofitable before is now profitable to the world. Praise God.

Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

Paul’s Prayer For Thessalonica

The prayers of the apostle Paul are some of the most sublime utterances of endearment in scripture. Paul had a deep love for the people of God and he often wrote telling them of his longing to be with them. He had not yet found occasion to be with the church in Thessalonica, attributing his delay to the hindrance of Satan. The church at Thessalonica was a beacon of spiritual joy to Macedonia, Achaia, and every place because they had turned from idols to serve the living and true God. Their faith was not hidden under a basket but shining like a brilliant ray of hope to the world. Paul’s earnest desire was to be with this kind of people – his kind of folk.

God had blessed the church in Thessalonica in the face of a perverted world. They had turned from the idols of the world and set themselves apart as holy people of God. Paul prayed for the faith of these saints to increase and make their love for one another and for all people grow and overflow. As a congregation of God’s people, the community of Thessalonica saw the example of Christ in the saints who called themselves the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. These brethren lived before a pagan world with the example of Christ. They were neighbors who shared the faith in their lives and their actions. When the word of God came to these brethren, they accepted it as the word of God and not as the word of men. Paul longed to hear of the faith of the Thessalonians.

Timothy had been sent to visit the church in Thessalonica, returning to Paul with the good news of their faith and love. Paul was excited. He longed to meet with the brethren and prayed for them. His desire for the Thessalonians was for their hearts to be made strong and for their lives to be examples of a blameless character and to be holy. The example of the church was well known and became a pattern to the church worldwide. This was unlike the first time Paul visited Thessalonica on his second missionary journey. The church had not been established yet and Paul spent three weeks preaching in the synagogue of the Jews. Some of the Jews were persuaded and a great multitude of the Greeks (including a few of the leading women), but many Jews did not believe. After a tumult caused by the Jews, Paul and Silas went away to Berea. Luke notes in his account of the story the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica. Now, as Paul is writing a letter to the church at Thessalonica, he is thrilled to see the power of the gospel in the city of Thessalonica.

Paul’s prayer for the church shows the power of God’s grace on a city that was at first non-receptive to the teachings of Christ. As Paul writes his letter, he prays for the faith of the church as it grows in a place where persecution is evident. Trying to be a Christian in Thessalonica was a struggle to maintain faith in Jesus Christ. The church was thriving though and Paul was thankful for their faithful example. He prays for them and exhorts them to continue to let their light shine in a dark world.

Pray is a powerful tool to recognize congregations thriving in the fellowship of the kingdom. Paul was thankful for those brethren he longed to meet and worship with. He prayed for them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Their example of a congregation in a dark world of idolatry was a refreshing story of grace and the power of what happens when devoted saints live for Christ. He wanted their love for one another to grow and abound in love. May the work we engage as a congregation be known as a beacon of hope and light in this dark world. Pray for the work of the Lord. The world needs more light.

And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. (Acts 7:9-10)

God Delivers When Men Imprison

The story of Joseph is a familiar Biblical event of a young man who, at the age of seventeen, was sold by his brothers into slavery. Joseph was a treasured son of his father Jacob, who did not fail to flaunt his love for Joseph before his other children. He gave Joseph a coat of many colors symbolizing his love and becoming a symbol of hatred to his brothers. After Joseph revealed dreams where he described his brothers bowing before him, the hatred for him intensified. On a day when Joseph was seeking his brothers, his life would change forever. Nine of the brothers wanted to kill their younger brother, but Reuben stepped in to save his life. Throwing Joseph into a pit, Reuben hoped to spare the young boy’s life and deliver him back to his father.

While Reuben was away from the encampment, a caravan of Ishmaelites on their way to Egypt passed by. Seeking a monetary profit from their brother, the brothers sold Joseph as a slave for twenty shekels of silver. When Reuben returned and found the pit empty, he tore his clothes crying out in despair. Taking the coat of many colors, the sons of Jacob dipped it in the blood of a kid of a goat and showed it to their father. For nearly thirty years, Jacob believed his son to be dead. Unknown to the great patriarch, Joseph had survived the trip to Egypt and was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

God looked after Joseph while he was in the house of Potiphar and blessed him along with the home of Potiphar. Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph was thrown into the inner prison where the king’s prisoners were kept. Again God blessed Joseph while he languished in prison. Years later, Joseph would be released from prison after telling the meaning of a dream the Pharaoh had and was made second in command of the nation of Egypt. A terrible famine was coming and Joseph spent seven years preparing for the famine. Through his wisdom, the world came to Egypt for grain and this is where he would be reunited with his brothers and family.

During the early church days, Stephen was accused of blasphemy and brought before the Jewish council. He recalls the history of Israel, including the journey of the Hebrews to the land of Egypt. Through the providence of God, Joseph was sold into slavery and became the savior of the people by his faith and wisdom. Stephen shows that the brothers sold Joseph into slavery because of envy. His brothers were wrong in selling Joseph. There were many reasons Joseph could have felt anger and hatred toward his brothers, but he believed what happened to him was the will of God. The faith of Joseph rested upon something Stephen said in his defense. Joseph was sold for envy, but God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles. God did not stop Joseph from being sold as a slave. The Lord did not stop Joseph from doing the labor of a slave in Potiphar’s home. Joseph did the humiliating work of a slave until he was rewarded with being in command of the household. God was with him.

God did not stop the advances of Potiphar’s wife. The Lord did not send His angel to defend the honor of Joseph when he was falsely accused. Joseph was sent to prison and stayed for several years. God did not keep Joseph from the harsh realities of being a slave, falsely accused, and forgotten in prison. Joseph knew wherever he was; God was with him. He also knew that the Lord would deliver him and every day he worked as a slave, he was delivered. Living in the dark and horrible Egyptian prison was a day of deliverance for Joseph because he trusted God to care for him. Eventually, Joseph was delivered from the harsh and cruel life and blessed with living like a king.

The Lord always delivers His people. Like Peter, some will be released from prison, but some will die like James. Many Christians suffered at the hand of their persecutors and by God’s grace were granted life. There were many Christians who suffered at the hand of persecutors who were delivered by the grace of God and died. Stephen makes a clear lesson: God is with His people and will deliver His people. Joseph was sold as a slave through envy and God was with him. The envy of the Jewish leaders killed Jesus and God delivered Him. What can man do you the people of God that He will not deliver them? If a Christian dies in a war, they are as blessed as those who are delivered. The trials we face in life will make us stronger when we trust in God and know that He will always be with us and deliver us. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” (Matthew 19:11-12)

Divorce – Not Everyone Can Accept The Teaching Of Jesus

Divorce was a subject Jesus did not hesitate to discuss when pressed by the Pharisees about the teaching of Moses’ law. The aim of the Jewish leaders was not to find some truth about marriage and divorce but to entrap Jesus in a legal quagmire of doctrinal inconsistencies. Some Pharisees came to Jesus and tried to trap him with a question of whether a man could divorce his wife for any reason. Appealing to the law, Jesus took the Pharisees back to the Garden of Eden, showing that God had created Adam and Eve and that the marriage bond was created in that union. What God had joined together was not to be separated.

The first answer Jesus gave the Pharisees was the law of marriage. God intended for the man and woman to be married to one another and remain faithful to their union. In the creation, the Father established the law of marriage as a binding covenant. There were going to be challenges in marriage. One of the purposes of Satan coming to the garden was to bring division between the woman and the man. He has succeeded throughout the ages as marriage is ignored as a divinely established covenant. The philosophy of human wisdom is that marriage is not sacred and sexual immorality and divorce are accepted norms. Men and women fight and argue and are unfaithful to one another and Satan smiles. The devil has won a victory when the marriage is dissolved and the partner’s divorce, but God hates divorce.

After Jesus answered the Pharisees, a second question was given: the trap the religious leaders had hoped for. They knew what Jesus would answer whether a man could divorce his wife under the Law of Moses. Hearing Jesus answer correctly, they pressed the Son of God to explain why Moses would say in the law that a man could give his wife a divorce and send her away. This was a misrepresentation of the true nature of the law, but Jesus did not flinch. He put the blame squarely upon the hearts of men who had hardened themselves against the pattern of God’s will. Moses permitted divorce because of the people’s hard hearts, but from the beginning – IT WAS NOT THE WILL OF GOD! The Son of God then declares that divorce can only be granted for one reason and one reason alone: infidelity. He further commands that any marriage ending in divorce for any other reason than sexual immorality is sinful. Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. The only exception is for the cause of sexual immorality.

The teaching of Jesus stunned the disciples. Their response to what Jesus said about marriage and divorce left them speechless. They responded that if what Jesus said was true, it would be better for a man and woman to remain unmarried. The eternal consequences of marriage and divorce had never been considered as serious as Jesus taught when questioned by the Pharisees. Jesus knew what He taught would not be popular to a world craving self-satisfaction. Divorce was common in the days of Jesus and it is common in the world today. What men fail to see is the teaching of Jesus has not changed. Not everyone would accept the will of God two thousand years ago and sadly, the teaching of Jesus on marriage and divorce is not readily accepted today.

Jesus knew not everyone would believe His teaching on divorce. There is only one reason for divorce. Incompatibility is not a reason, falling out of love is not a reason, not liking one another is not a reason; in the eyes of God the only reason for divorce is sexual immorality. Not everyone will accept this teaching, but it does not change the will of God. There are many lives turned upside down because of divorce. It will take the courage of a devoted man or woman to follow the will of God; and in some cases, the person may have to remain unmarried the rest of their life. What is that compared to the eternal destiny of those who refuse to accept the teaching of Jesus? Divorce is a tragedy of sin. From the beginning God made man and woman to be united as one. What God has joined together, let no man dare to separate.

Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them. (Luke 23:20)

Pilate’s Wish

The trial of Jesus was a travesty of Jewish and Roman law. Multiple laws of the Jewish canon were ignored and rejected as the scribes, elders, and High Priest brought charges against Jesus to condemn Him to death without any evidence of wrongdoing. Pilate was faced with the legal presumptions he was pressured to follow when the Jews brought Jesus to his court. The accusers of Jesus moved the crowds and Roman court to condemn Jesus because He was perverting the nation, refusing to pay taxes, and calling Himself a king. All of this was a lie, but it fulfilled the eternal plan of God to show the hatred of the human nature and the murderous lengths humanity will go to kill a fellow human being.

Pilate was the final authority to condemn Jesus to crucifixion. The Romans allowed the Jews to execute their own citizens by stoning, but the Jewish leaders wanted no blood on themselves. They knew if they could convince the Roman court to condemn Jesus to crucifixion, their hands would be washed clean of an innocent man’s blood. Pressuring Pilate to condemn Jesus, the crowds shouted for His crucifixion. Pilate examined Jesus on multiple occasions and sent him to Herod to be questioned, but Jesus was brought back to the judgment seat of Pilate. He could find no fault in Jesus and desired to release Him. Trying to appease the crowd, Pilate said he would scourge the man from Nazareth and then release him. Scourging was a horrific punishment that would bring a man near death. The Jews refused. They shouted the more to crucify Jesus.

The will of God was being accomplished in the death of Jesus. Everything about the trial of Jesus was a travesty of justice, but the travesty of the event brought justice to the world. Jesus was going to die for sinful man. The crowds were filled with hatred and envy, shouting to kill the Galilean. Roman law could not protect an innocent man because Pilate was too cowardly to stand for what was right. The world stood at the brink of destruction as the Son of God was nailed to a cross and died. But through the act of hatred, love conquered the world and salvation was given to all men. In the middle of the story stood a man wishing to do the right thing – but he could not do it.

There are eternal realities about the death of Jesus as demanded by the providential law of God, but the people involved in the death of Jesus reflect the struggles men have with themselves. The crowds were filled with hatred. There was fear in the hearts of the disciples. The Jewish leaders pressed their hatred to kill a man. Pilate stood in a place of authority wishing to do the right thing. Because he did not do the right thing – he did the right thing. He wanted to release Jesus. He desired to let Jesus go home. But he did not release Jesus. He failed. Many like Pilate wish to serve God but lack the courage to face the crowds of hatred, doubt, and fear. Wishing to obtain eternal life will never happen. Salvation does not come from a wish but from commandment-keeping. Jesus told His disciples in the sermon on the mount the only people who will be saved are those who do the will of God. That is not wishing for salvation. To be saved requires doing the will of the Father. Pilate wished and then he died. His wishes changed after death, but it was too late. Do not let death overtake you while you wish to live right and serve God because one day will come when there is nothing to wish for.

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Serving The Chief Shepherd

Leadership within the church of Christ is established by the authority of scripture. When Jesus built His church, the Holy Spirit inspired men to write down the organizational structure of how the leadership of the church of God would be established. Men have corrupted the pattern of leadership through the ages, but the Biblical design has remained intact. Jesus is the only head of the church and within each local congregation of saints are men called elders, pastors, shepherds, and bishops. These men are specifically qualified leaders who have definitive traits outlined in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus. Along with their wives, elders have certain qualities that God commands. The work of a bishop is an exhausting, intense, and untiring activity of shepherding the flock of God.

Peter was not only an apostle and preacher of Jesus Christ, but he also served as a shepherd of a local congregation. This would prove Peter was married (Mark mentions his mother-in-law; Paul confirms it) and had children. The apostle writes in his first epistle to encourage his fellow elders to be strong in the face of opposition and to continue to guide the church through the turbulent times of the early church. There was a need for strong leadership as the Christians faced increased persecution. Peter exhorts his fellow elders to be shepherds of the flock of God, caring for the members as a shepherd tends his sheep. Shepherding was a difficult and sometimes dangerous job. A shepherd would have to feed his sheep, protect the flock, and seek out the lambs that strayed. There was a constant watch for the danger of predators and thieves. Elders were not cowboys or CEOs – they were men who smelled like their sheep.

The work of the bishop was a love devoted to the cause of Christ. Peter reminds his fellow elders that serving the congregation is not by a grudging heart of necessity but a heart willing to sacrifice for the needs of the flock. Some men seek leadership to gain prestige and power. This is not the kind of man who will shepherd the family of God. There must be a love for God and a deep love for the brethren to seek their well-being. A shepherd of the church sacrifices his life in service of the congregation. Peter warns the elders not to lord over those entrusted to them. It is easy to take on an attitude of a ‘boss’ instead of a shepherd. The greatest work an elder can do is to lead by example. Cattle are driven – sheep are led. Shepherds call out their sheep by name and the sheep follow them because they trust their voice.

Serving as an elder is exhausting work. Peter encourages his fellow elders to act with diligence and faithfulness; not for anything they may gain from the experience but for the realization that one day each man who served as a shepherd will stand face to face before the Chief Shepherd. Elders will be held to a stricter judgment because of their responsibilities. Standing before the Chief Shepherd is a humbling thought to consider. Serving the local congregation will bring many blessings but not so great as to be in the presence of Jesus Christ and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful shepherd.” May God raise up more men and women who live before Him in such a manner they can show forth the light of Christ in service to the Chief Shepherd.

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit and who trembles at My word. (Isaiah 66:1-2)

Nothing But A Footstool

The earth is one of nine planets in the solar system traveling around the sun. It would take about a million earths to fit inside the sphere of the sun. The equatorial circumference of the earth is 24,902 miles. Traveling an average speed of 66,00 miles per hour, the earth moves around the sun in 365 days, 6 hours, 9 minutes, and 9.54 seconds. The earth stays about 93 million miles away from the sun. Walking around the circumference of the earth would take 345.85 days of continuous walking (which is impossible for him to do). The earth is huge compared to the size of a man. Astronauts have witnessed the earth from space, but only half can be seen at one time. The area of the earth is 196,940,400 square miles, with 71% covered by water and only 29% by land. About 5,100,00 square miles of land is in Antarctica, which is too cold to be settled.

A footstool is a low stool for resting the feet on when sitting. The function of the footstool is either as furniture or support used to elevate the foot. It is a secondary piece of furniture that serves more a function than a necessity. At its best, a footstool is a small, insignificant but useful tool to rest a foot upon. To this figure, the Lord draws attention to the expanse of the earth where all men dwell. The angels are bemused by the pride of man as the earth is a vast place for men to inhabit and yet it serves as nothing more than a footstool in the presence of God. There is no comparison to the magnitude of the Lord God and the existence of a man. God can hold the universe in His hand. A man can barely hold a clump of dirt in his.

Perspective helps men identify the vastness of God’s existence and the puny efforts of humankind to exalt themselves above their station. Isaiah declares the earth is nothing more than a footstool to God. The earth is not unimportant to the Lord God, but the immense feeling of grandeur men feel of their place on earth is nothing compared to the whole world being a place for God to rest one foot. How can a man be filled with pride when there is nothing to boast about? Heaven is the throne of God and earth is His footstool. One of the most significant accomplishments of human wisdom is the International Space Station. There are times the reflection of the ISS can be seen by the naked eye on a dark sky. What can also be seen are the trillions of stars surrounding the small reflected light that God holds in His hands. And lest man boasts in his wisdom, the Lord has a name for every star.

Understanding the place of man begins by knowing how big God is. The Lord did not only give the universe to declare how great He is but to remind man how small he is. Earth is nothing more than a footstool. The heavenly look down upon the human race as ants upon a small hill in the middle of a vast field. There is no comparison. Heaven is the place of the glory and majesty of the One who created the earth and placed it three rocks away from the sun. As a faint blue dot in a universe of blackness, God sent His Son to His footstool to save its inhabitants. Thank God for His love. Praise God for His power. Bow in the presence of the one who is so incredibly huge, the expanse of the earth is nothing more than a footstool.

Their names: Oholah the elder and Oholibah her sister; they were Mine, and they bore sons and daughters. As for their names, Samaria is Oholah, and Jerusalem is Oholibah. (Ezekiel 23:4)

Oholah And Oholibah

Ezekiel was a prophet among the people of God taken captive by Babylon in 597 B.C. Four years earlier, Ezekiel had been called into the prophetic ministry to warn the people of the impending destruction of Jerusalem. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem fell and the Temple of God was destroyed. The book of Ezekiel is based on two themes: the first warned the Jews the sinfulness of Judah had reached the point of God’s judgment; the second, after the fall of Jerusalem, a message of hope for the remnant to be restored. In the final section of part one, Ezekiel shows the full measure of God’s wrath against the people’s wickedness and refusal to repent and turn to God.

Using the language of a parable, Ezekiel introduces two sisters born of the same mother. Their names were Oholah and Oholibah. Oholah was the older of the sisters. The story of the two sisters was a tragic tale of sexual immorality and bearing children in their harlotry. Immediately, Ezekiel identifies the sisters as Samaria (Oholah) and Jerusalem (Oholibah). Samaria was the capital of the northern ten tribes and was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. One hundred thirty-six years later, Jerusalem would suffer the same fate at the hands of the Babylonians. Throughout the prophetic literature leading up to the destruction of Samaria and Jerusalem, God reminded Israel they were His bride. The prophet Hosea was a graphic illustration of the whoredom Israel had committed against her husband, the Lord God. As the Jews felt the sting of bondage, Ezekiel weaves a story of the two sisters reminding them of what happened to their northern sister and what would happen to them if they did not repent.

Oholah played the harlot in Egypt and Assyria. Israel had gone after the gods of the Egyptians and the Assyrians and worshiped the lust of immorality of the nations around her. God sent His prophets to warn the people but to no avail. None of the kings of the northern kingdom were righteous. Prophets like Elijah and Elisha pleaded with the rulers and the people to repent. They refused. God brought the “lovers” of Israel to her borders and they destroyed her. Assyria was an ally of Israel and then became her destroyer. Judgment came upon Oholah by the people she entrusted her life with.

As the young sister, Oholibah should have learned from her older sister’s lessons. She lusted for the lovers of Assyria more than her older sister. The Babylonians came to her as treasured lovers and she indulged all the pleasures of whoredom with foreign nations. Like her older sister, Oholibah suffered betrayal from her lovers. The Babylonians came against Israel as an invading horde with chariots, wagons, and war-horses. Judah was destroyed with great fierceness. They were left naked and bare. Refusing to see the folly of her older sister, Jerusalem suffered the same fate. The cup of horror and desolation served against Samaria fell upon Jerusalem with greater wrath. Judah had forgotten God and cast Him behind her back. They bore the iniquity of their lewdness and spiritual prostitution.

Oholah and Oholibah are alive and well today. The lessons from the two sisters should remind the world that God has not changed His view of sin and rebellion. There are still those who desire to live like Oholah and Oholibah, oblivious to the coming judgment of God and His wrath. Ezekiel warned the people of the Lord’s penalty for sin and the people refused to listen. Sin does not change in translation or time and lessons from the two sisters should be taken to heart. Both sisters were judged. God will judge. Oholah characterizes the world and the church can be described by Oholibah. She will suffer the same fate when the church tries to live like the world. Ezekiel’s message is a lesson for today.

He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.” (Psalm 10:11)

PG-13 And The Heart

In 2021, Disney released the movie “Free Guy” by 20^th Century Studios rated PG-13. A bank teller discovers that he’s actually an NPC inside a brutal, open world video game. It is a fantasy movie about a popular video game where one of the characters takes on “artificial life” characteristics with the storyline following his exploits. The movie is rated PG-13, where parents are strongly cautioned as inappropriate for children. Before 1984, the ratings went from PG to R without any distinctions. PG-13 was created to sell more movies without the serious impact of an R rating. However, there is a misguided notion that PG and PG-13 are suitable for anyone concerned for righteousness.

Free Guy (rated PG-13) has 29 scenes of sex/nudity in one form or another (tame compared to what would be found in an R movie). There are 119 instances of language throughout the movie: 32 vain references to deity; 17 words of crude language/humor; 1 ethnic/social slur; 27 words of cursing; 37 words of profanity; and 5 words of vulgarity. Without filtering software, the movie is laced with ungodly language throughout the movie – and it’s only a PG-13. Disney is not the wholesome family production it was known for. This is undoubtedly driven by the dollar. The world is becoming increasingly indulgent with the acceptance of immoral behavior as common. This is not a surprise as the world has been filled with the decadence of sinful behavior since Adam and Eve walked out of the garden.

It is sad that movies must fill their coffers with the indulgence of the immoral and acidic language of the world. Young people are drawn to movies like Free Guy, with many parents either unaware or not caring what their children hear. This movie is not the only example of the prolific saturation of what is found on the magical screens of television, computers, and smartphones. It is difficult to find entertainment that must not first be scrubbed with intense filters to allow viewing. There are times that the entertainment is still unworthy of watching with the filters.

What is more tragic is the abundance of Christians who engage in entertainment laced with language – especially the use of God’s name in vain – with no compulsion or regret. They argue that what they hear on the screen is no different than being in the world. That person is a fool who believes the lie that so easily pervades the consciousness of the body of Christ.

The psalmist makes an observation about the wicked. It is the wicked heart that believes that God is not watching, and He has closed His eyes. They mistakenly believe the Lord does not see and hear what is being played on the screen. What foolishness. How often does it take for God’s name to be vilified before the Lord gets angry? One of the hallmarks of the commandments of God has always been (before the Law of Moses) that His name will not be taken in vain. He will not let that person go unpunished. Do not be fooled to believe that as long as a person does not use God’s name in vain, they will not be held accountable. That is a foolish lie. The wicked pretend God does not listen – but He does.

There has never been a time that sin has not dominated the world. The world has been under the sway of unrighteous language since the garden. God does not intend for His people to leave the world but to learn to live in the world. There are choices that can be made and must be made. Walking through Walmart and hearing foul language may not be controlled, but what we choose to watch is entirely under our control. The fool will not make a distinction. Godly hearts will make a choice and make a decision. God will not forget; He will not hide His face and He will not close His eyes.

The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray. (Proverbs 12:26)

Choosing Friends

A friend is someone who remains close even when times are difficult. The wise man said a friend is always loyal and becomes like a brother. To have friends, one must himself be a friend who will make a person genuinely wealthy. Friends are the sweetness of a man’s soul giving hearty counsel. Like iron that sharpens iron, friends will hone the character of their fellow man. David and Jonathan were great friends. Jesus had close friends. Paul had men and women who were dear to him in his ministry of teaching the gospel of Christ. The joy of friends is the endearment of sharing the joys and sorrows of life. When the days are bright, friends warm the heart. As days of darkness overwhelm, a true friend will comfort and console. To have a friend is one of the most valuable commodities a man can possess.

With all the good things that can be said about friends, the influence of a friend can also be the worst thing that can happen to a person. The kind of friends a man gathers around him will influence the type of person he will become. Friendship is a close bond that seeks recognition and respect. God gives the warning of choosing friends to know some friends will not bring out the best in a man’s life. Having a friend is not always a good thing. Some people have no interest but their own and will use anyone for their purpose. They will fain friendship to gain the trust and then use that person to their destruction. Choosing friends takes wisdom. It takes courage to refuse those who desire to be friends that will not lead to righteousness.

There are many reasons why friends are chosen. Common interests draw people together. There may be connections within groups where friends draw close to one another. A common goal can create a circle of friends. The question the Christian must ask is if the friends that are in their life are there for righteous reasons or unrighteous. A wise man will choose his friends carefully. If a friend is chosen, who is wicked, the likelihood of the wicked causing the righteous to stray increases. When someone seeks out unrighteous friends, they are not seeking friendships based on doing the right thing. God is not at the center of their life. Wicked friends follow the paths of unrighteousness and will lead their friends along the same paths.

Choosing friends is not an easy task. There is a single virtue that is constant in seeking out friends. This is different than associates that become part of life as friends are closer than a brother and more influential than casual acquaintances. Having a friend is a person or persons that have a great deal of influence on the heart of the Christian. The most important question about choosing a friend is whether that person will help or hinder the Christian from being saved. Having friends is an integral part of life, but when those friends are not helping to live righteous lives, they are will hinder the growth of spirituality. Everyone wants to please their friends. God warns that choosing the wrong friends can have serious consequences. The rule is simple: The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. You’ve got a friend indeed – but what kind of friend?