NOVEMBER 2000 JANUARY 2001 THE READING ROOM HOME
(Kent Heaton)
Children of God walk much different than those of the world. A Christian is one who has a different lifestyle of thought, deed and manner of living. What sets them apart from the world is the life of the Christian does not seek to fulfill the desires of the flesh. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Walking in the Spirit is to be filled with the characteristics that originate from God. Living in the Spirit is to walk according to the Spirit and to be led by the Spirit. The mind is filled with the Spirit and the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8)
The nature of the child of God is goodness, righteousness and truth. These attributes are not brought about by seeking the things of the world but the separation one experiences as the Spirit of God works in their lives. From the time of obedience in the waters of baptism, the gift of the Spirit is a working and active part of the Christian's life. (Acts 2:38,39) What is borne from this life is expressed by Paul in Galatians 5:22,23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." The "fruit of the Spirit" is the fruit that originates or comes from the Spirit.
To love one another is a love that comes from walking in the Spirit. Enjoying the everlasting joy of the Father is expressed from the Spirit abiding in the heart of the child of God. From realms of peace that pass all understanding, the life of the saint if found in patience, kindness and goodness. Faithfulness is the watch-word from the Spirit of God as a character of gentleness if manifested from the heart of His disciple. With the Spirit guiding and directing the lives of the follower of Christ, a power of self-control is evidence in word and deed.
The follower of God walks in love and wisdom as they walk in the light in the character of the new man. The new man is renewed in the spirit of the mind that was and is created according to the Father, in righteousness and true holiness. Instead of seeking the dissipation of the flesh, the promise of God is given to His children to be filled with Spirit and speak "to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ." (Ephesians 4:17-5:21)
The fruit of the Spirit is the expression of the Father living in us. The characteristic of the Spirit living in us is the filling of our lives with the things that are excellent. As Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi, "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11) The fruits of righteousness come by abiding in Christ as He is the vine and we the branches. (John 15) As we abide in the vine, we express the fruits of that relationship in our lives.
How wonderful and powerful to know of the blessing given by God to those who seek an eternal home. The Father has given us His Spirit! "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." (2 Timothy 1:13,14) "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:8)
(Kent Heaton)
Jesus told his disciples, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32) Truth is the power of God's wisdom given to men to understand the message of salvation. The essence of truth is summed up in Jesus as He said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) Through Jesus Christ I have been set free from sin and death (Romans 8:2) and as His disciple, truth is the foundation of my thoughts, my actions and my life. Paul describes in Romans 6 how we are set free from the bondage of sin as we find victory in Jesus Christ. What price can be placed on this freedom? What amount of money can be offered for the truth found in Jesus Christ? No righteous person would ever consider offering a reward for truth - would they?
Truth is found in sanctification. Jesus prayed to His Father concerning His disciples, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) No amount of money can be put upon the value of the word of God. Men of low esteem would bow to offer rewards for truth and seek to gain monetary rewards for what Jesus accomplished on the cross. The redemption of mankind cost a great deal but it was not paid in money - it was paid with blood. Truth was established with the blood of the Son of God. No value can be put on that sacrifice, save the love of God.
To seek the power of God and the gospel of Christ with money is not a new idea. Luke records the events that took place in the city of Samaria when Philip had come down to the city and preached Christ to them. There was great joy in the city as many heeded the things spoken by Philip "as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized." (Acts 8:12) One of those who were baptized was a certain man called Simon. Later, Peter and John came to the city and bestowed gifts of the Spirit on the people. "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, 'Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.' But Peter said to him, 'Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." (Acts 8:18-23)
Simon offered money for the truth! Peter told him that his heart was not right with God and he needed to repent of his wickedness. Bitterness and iniquity fills the hearts of those who seek truth with rewards of money. The truth is free to all men!
The wise man wrote: "Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding ... Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, since he has no heart for it?" (Proverbs 23:23; 17:16) The Psalmist writes in Psalm 119:72, "The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver." Many seek truth by money and offer rewards for truth when the wisdom of God is found in righteous hearts searching after Christ. Simon (Acts 8) was a Christian and yet he stood to lose his soul for offering money for the power of God. This story illustrates how a child of God can so live as to lose their soul - according to the Scriptures, that is.
(Kent Heaton)
In the final writings of the apostle Paul, a plea is made to his young "son in the faith," Timothy, to come quickly to him and before winter. Second Timothy 4 is a personal and passionate letter of hope preserved for all time, speaking words of expectation from the life of Paul. He speaks of his pending death in terms of victory, not defeat. He seeks to set various parts of his life in order such as bidding Timothy to come quickly and bring Mark, along with his cloak he left with Carpus at Troas. He also solicits Timothy to bring his books and especially the parchments.
In these moments of reflection, Paul is reminded of what Alexander the coppersmith did to him and he allows God to take charge of that matter. Sadly, Paul recounts when he presented his
"first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me." (4:16) How difficult those thoughts came to Paul as rehearsed the events that lead to his imprisonment and pending death. When he stood to make his defense before men, he had not a friend who would stand with him. He stood alone in the court of world opinion and only his words would be heard.Paul knew anyone who would stand next to him would be found in the same place as he now found himself. No one had the courage to face the trial he faced or the consequence of his preaching. He was abandoned, forsaken and left to defend his own name. It saddened his heart greatly for lack of a human hand to hold firmly too or a soothing voice of comfort to give trust in. He could have recalled the wonderful times in Philippi when, thrown into the inner prison and his feet fastened in stocks, he and Silas prayed together and sang hymns to God - together.
At his first defense there was no one there as all had deserted him. But he knew that the lives of those who deserted them were still being impacted by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was an older man of greater wisdom and understanding of the human spirit. He knew of those who deserted him of their weakness' and their needs before God. He does not hold a spirit of vengeance against them but in humility pleads for the Lord's blessing upon them.
"May it not be charged against them." (4:16)The scene of Paul is a mirror of so many who have found themselves suffering for Christ and suffering alone. The example of Jesus is set forth for those who desire to follow after Him and bear their cross. Jesus said in John 16:32,
"Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am no alone, because the Father is with Me." Like his Lord, Paul knew that when no one would stand up for him, God was always there. He writes, "But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" (4:17,18)In our daily struggles we can be forsaken by all men and no one will stand with us. We can find ourselves as the only person in the world who is seeking to do what is right. Our reward does not come from the presence of our friends but from the presence of our God. Many times we forsake others when we should be stronger. As Paul prayed for those who left him, we too must grow in strength and courage to face the difficulties of life. Remember how important we are to one another and how we need to stand with others for the cause of Christ. When all is said and done, may we remember the words of our God:
"I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5,6)If It Die, It Bringeth Forth Much Fruit
(Kent Heaton)
The shadow of the cross lay heavy upon Jesus throughout His ministry. Often He would speak of His death in Jerusalem by the hands of the chief priests and scribes. (Mark 10:33,34) He knew that death on a Roman cross was the final act of obedience in the Father's work of redeeming man. His disciples learned that not only was death on the cross awaiting their Lord but for them to be His disciples, they must deny themselves and take up their own cross. (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; 10:21; Luke 9:23) To take up the cross required a willingness to die.
The image of death is presented not in the darkness of sin but the light of victory for the child of God. It will be through death that true attainment of the Christian's character will be found. We find this vividly expressed by Jesus in John 12:24-26 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me and where I am, there shall also my servant be. If any man serve me, him will my Father honor."
The Father required the Son to die so that a new life could be brought forth. This pattern is found in nature itself as illustrated with a corn of wheat. The true value of a corn of wheat can only be found when it is placed in the ground and it dies. Until that time, it remains alone and of little value. When the farmer takes the corn of wheat and places it in the ground, it will die and then brings forth much fruit. Death is required before the bearing of fruit is seen.
The Father requires the disciple of Christ to die first so that a new life can be brought forth. We see this pattern in the act of baptism. (Romans 6) Without death in the waters of baptism, no resurrection can happen. The imagery goes further as we see the changes taking place in the life of the Christian. To live as a child of God, we must not believe that because we are a Christian, there is nothing more to do. Jesus explained that for the child of God to bear fruit, death must occur.
Paul told the church at Colosse to
"put to death your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5,6) In this text and similar places, we find the admonition to put to death those things that would hinder our lives as Christians. Paul writes in Romans 8:12,13: "So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live."The child of God can never be fruitful in the work of the Lord until he or she dies to the world. Too often, Christians live by the example of the world. They are like the corn of wheat that is of little value sitting in the barn. Until the passions of the flesh and desires of the world are crucified, no fruit can be born. Jesus shows in the parable of the sower that some seed fell among thorns and
"are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." (Luke 8:14)If one is to follow Jesus, he must hate his life in this world to gain life eternal. Jesus gives us the example of living to die and in death, gaining honor and glory from the Father. To serve Christ, the example given by Him must be found in our lives. Serving God is a daily pattern of dying more to the world and living more for the Lord. As we die each day we will bear much fruit each day. Put to death the fleshly spirit and live in the Spirit of God and bear fruit. (Galatians 5:16-25)