My wife and I have traveled to the wedding of a niece today. We are in attendance, not participants, but if I had to give a bride and groom (who claim Christ) pointers for the start of this marriage, what would I say?
Our society has lost the notion of marriage. We must not. Marriage is not a mere human tradition designed for our fun. It is a key institution conferred by God (Gen 2:24; Matt 19:4-6) as a permanent relationship (Matt 19:6) reflecting the relationship of Christ with the Church (Eph 5:31-32). It is not trivial. The author of Hebrews says, "Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb 13:4). Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord (Eph 5:22-24). Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church -- give self up (Eph 5:25-27). In both cases -- wife and husband -- remember that your faith, your salvation, and your provision are not in your spouse, but in the Lord. A marriage of a man and a woman dedicated to the proposition that Christ is the center and provider for life can only result in what I call a "200% marriage." You won't each be giving 50% to this marriage. You can each give 100% because you're not counting on your spouse to provide for you all that Christ will provide (Rom 8:31-39).
Marriage is a grand relationship designed and powered by God. Done as God requires, it will be the most fulfilling relationship even in the midst of the most difficult times providing the highest joys in life. Beyond that, a marriage conducted as God commands will be a powerful testimony to God's provision and goodness and love and grace and mercy and more. It isn't a trivial relationship covered in warm feelings. It is so very much more. It is a lifelong commitment to the glory of God.
Friday, July 05, 2024
Thursday, July 04, 2024
Haters
A passerby noticed smoke coming out of a window of the house he was walking by. He ran up to the door and went in to see if anyone was inside. The only person he saw was a young man with a match, lighting furniture on fire. Well, this fellow was a caring man, so he went over and gave him a book of matches so he could light more efficiently. You know, pyromania-affirming care. You don't, after all, want to suppress people in pursuing their personal pleasures, right?
We are in an upside down world. "What I want" is king and "what is right" is determined by it. If you seek to help someone toward "what is right" you're a hater. If you are concerned about their well-being, you're a hater. If you point out to an obese woman that her health would improve if she lost weight, she'd be angry at your "fat shaming." If you share the gospel with a homosexual, you're judgmental. Warning a person deep in sin that sin brings death and offering a better option is considered unkind and intolerant.
It is not hate to seek the best for people you care about. It is not love to encourage, like our fictional passerby, sin in others simply because they find fulfillment in it. In my fictional account above, no one would be confused about this, but our world demonstrates their hostility toward God by turning that all on its head in the arena of sin. Don't be that person.
We are in an upside down world. "What I want" is king and "what is right" is determined by it. If you seek to help someone toward "what is right" you're a hater. If you are concerned about their well-being, you're a hater. If you point out to an obese woman that her health would improve if she lost weight, she'd be angry at your "fat shaming." If you share the gospel with a homosexual, you're judgmental. Warning a person deep in sin that sin brings death and offering a better option is considered unkind and intolerant.
It is not hate to seek the best for people you care about. It is not love to encourage, like our fictional passerby, sin in others simply because they find fulfillment in it. In my fictional account above, no one would be confused about this, but our world demonstrates their hostility toward God by turning that all on its head in the arena of sin. Don't be that person.
Wednesday, July 03, 2024
A Short One
While traveling, we went by a church with the sign, "St. Paul's Methodist Church." Now, I happen to know that the Methodist church didn't start until the 18th century, so I was amused that they would link St. Paul to it. Like the discussion about KJV Only. "Well, if it was good enough for Paul and Silas, it's good enough for me."
Clearly, unbelievers are not the only ones guilty of not thinking straight.
Clearly, unbelievers are not the only ones guilty of not thinking straight.
Tuesday, July 02, 2024
This Is Only A Test
James wrote, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3). Does it strike anyone as odd that James would think that the testing of your faith was a good thing? Do we think that testing our own faith is a good thing? I mean, shouldn't we just ... trust?
Testing is important. Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for testing those who called themselves apostles (Rev 2:2). Paul told the Corinthian believers to test themselves (2 Cor 13:5-6). So, how is this testing done? Well, going with James, it is by ... trial. Peter said that enduring trials was proof of faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). God promised that He would test His own people. How? "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (Isa 48:10). The author of Hebrews says that Abraham's faith was tested when he was told to sacrifice Isaac (Heb 11:17-19).
Testing is vital. Unfortunately, the test is ... fire. Discomfort. Pain. Crisis. The unwanted moments in life. How do you respond? That's a helpful question to ask yourself. If "fire" is God's choice of testing our faith, what does His testing say about your faith? Do you lean on Him the most when things are the worst, or do you give up or complain or get angry? We all encounter negative events. Scripture says they're for our benefit. Are you rejoicing? How are you doing on this test?
Testing is important. Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for testing those who called themselves apostles (Rev 2:2). Paul told the Corinthian believers to test themselves (2 Cor 13:5-6). So, how is this testing done? Well, going with James, it is by ... trial. Peter said that enduring trials was proof of faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). God promised that He would test His own people. How? "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (Isa 48:10). The author of Hebrews says that Abraham's faith was tested when he was told to sacrifice Isaac (Heb 11:17-19).
Testing is vital. Unfortunately, the test is ... fire. Discomfort. Pain. Crisis. The unwanted moments in life. How do you respond? That's a helpful question to ask yourself. If "fire" is God's choice of testing our faith, what does His testing say about your faith? Do you lean on Him the most when things are the worst, or do you give up or complain or get angry? We all encounter negative events. Scripture says they're for our benefit. Are you rejoicing? How are you doing on this test?
Monday, July 01, 2024
Show and Tell
It's interesting to drive across this country of ours. From the Pacific Ocean to the Mojave Desert, from Arizona's deserts to Arizona's pine forests, from New Mexico's desert to Texas plains, from the deep South through the northern regions, from the plains to the peaks, and on and on. Always changing. Infinitely variable. Entire habitats, phenomenon (from earthquakes to volcanos to tornados to hurricanes), weather conditions, life forms, plant life ... it's a constant barrage of creation.
The world would like to tell you that this biodiversity, this vast and complex universe from the smallest atom to the largest star is the product of chance, of random events and mutations. The demand is that everything we see in all its wonder and grandeur ... came from nothing at all. They point to Darwin (who actually made no effort to explain the origin of everything, but just the origin of humans) and say, "See? We don't need your god. We have science. Science tells us that everything came from nothing." Scripture tells us,
The world would like to tell you that this biodiversity, this vast and complex universe from the smallest atom to the largest star is the product of chance, of random events and mutations. The demand is that everything we see in all its wonder and grandeur ... came from nothing at all. They point to Darwin (who actually made no effort to explain the origin of everything, but just the origin of humans) and say, "See? We don't need your god. We have science. Science tells us that everything came from nothing." Scripture tells us,
That which is known about God is evident within [people]; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Rom 1:19-20)Nature declares the glory of God. Man's natural hostility to God (Rom 8:7) covers that up ... with nonsense. "Everything came from nothing. All this complexity and interconnectedness happened by chance. Just because it looks like design doesn't mean it is." Reason shouts back, "How much do you need to see to realize that design is unavoidable and that the Designer exceeds human ability or understanding?" But, notice, logic itself and even nature itself are not at the core of this argument. The text says, "God made it evident to them." So the problem is not a lack of evidence or even a failure to grasp the truth. The failure is in our natural tendency to suppress the truth ... about God (Rom 1:18). So, go ahead. Enjoy the magnificence of God's creation. Remember that God is and that He created it all and it is very good. Keep telling them about Christ, but don't count on better logic or philosophical arguments to win. That will be God's doing, too.