Christ and Culture,Glad Tidings
Glad Tidings Introduction and Purpose
Glad Tidings© is a monthly Christian Epistle. It has been published since January, 2004, and distributed free of charge by email. It is also published monthly on this website.
Since Glad Tidings© is sent to all comers. It contains an article that seeks to investigate themes that are common to people in general, and Americans especially. Articles begin in a general discussion and conclude in a Christian context.
In addition to the one thematic article, there are two features:
- “Questions Demanding Answers” posits a question that may trouble believers and/or unbelievers. It asks recipients to respond with answers of 250 words or less. The following month the best answer is printed.
- “The Holy of Holies” is a concluding prayer written in the first person, speaking directly to God. This can encourage the reader to make this his or her own prayer.
Those interested in receiving the monthly Glad Tidings © may Like us on Facebook or Twitter, or sign up for the monthly email publication of Glad Tidings ©.
It is a joy to share with you the truth of God’s love for all of us, and the redeeming power of the Gift of Jesus as sacrifice to pay the price for our sins. Through receiving this free gift of Jesus as our personal Savior, we may all become God’s children, and we have the hope of spending eternal life with Him.
The Shepherd’s Fool, Ted Bradshaw
Christmas Observation
Angels Appear to the Shepherds
The shepherds, who were expecting nothing, who were “just common joes”, who were minding their business, were energized to check out the fantastic report,
…for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:11)
Now, they were Jews. Their common language was most likely Aramaic, but they understood Hebrew. So, the term “Christ” proclaimed by the Angel came out “Messiah”. They were most likely not punctilious Jews, as were the Pharisees. But they, too, were waiting the coming Messiah. They expected that the Messiah would deliver them from the oppression of Rome and establish a Judean kingdom that would last forever.
They were so excited that they abandoned their flocks to go, immediately, in the night to see the sight of the new-born Messiah.
Shepherds Find Jesus
What they saw was a baby. They told Mary and Joseph about the annunciation by the Angels. No, none else had seen or heard the Angels, although they must have made a great show and a tremendous noise when a multitude of them shouted “Glory to God!” Mary and Joseph believed them and the shepherds believed that the baby was the Messiah.
I am impressed: they were so convinced that this baby, Jesus, was the Messiah after beholding the Christ child.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them. (Luke 2:20)
Just being in the child’s Presence convinced them down to their toes. They became the first Evangelists. They shouted and laughed, sang and danced through the village on their way back to the sheep.
Rejoicing in Jesus
Their noise awoke the village, causing heads to peer out windows and doors to discover what the night-time commotion was all about.
To every inquiry, they proclaimed the declaration of the Angel,
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. (Luke 22:10-12)
They further told of the verification of the multitude of angels singing to God,
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased.’ (Luke 22:14
Many Heard the Good News of Jesus
I am impressed (but not surprised) that the fantastic news did not empty the beds of all who heard it to go and see for themselves. As to people all over the world and throughout history, such news was incredible. “Aw, they have had a nightmare. They must have been drinking new wine. They are drunk out their minds.” Apparently, they all went back to bed.
We have incredible news to declare to the world. God has come in the form of a man. The God/man Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah. His purpose is to take on the burden of all mankind’s sin and exchange our sin for His righteousness and to give us a place beside God in Heaven. At this time of year, we can shout to ring the rafters, just as the shepherds did.
But we also have a sleepy, unbelieving society, who will be annoyed by such a boisterous announcement of good news. They take it as the ravings of the deluded, and grumbling crawl back to sleep. Some call the cops and report us for disturbing the peace.
The good news is True, and for us we get to become martyrs.
Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
…that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, unto all patience and long-suffering with joy; giving thanks unto the Father, who made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; (Colossians 1:9-12)
Advent Celebration: Third Sunday
Third Sunday in Advent–The Mary Candle, pink
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:16-19)
Mary the Mother of Jesus
The Angel Gabriel speaks to Mary.
Mary was young, perhaps 14 0r 15 years of age, when Gabriel appeared to her. At first she was frightened, but the Archangel reassured her. He announced that God intended to give her the wondrous privilege of carrying, birthing and nurturing the Messiah, the Son of God.
Since she was a virgin she wondered how this could be possible. He instructed her that the Holy Spirit and the power of God would manifest to and in her. Mary responded in humble faith, submitting to be an instrument in God’s hands.
I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:38-44)
Jesus is Born
Nine months later, after the labor of delivery in the humblest of circumstances, she held a baby, certainly her son, in her arms. Her husband, Joseph who loved her and accepted that the son was not his, was at her side. And then, rustic shepherds arrived, claiming to have seen angels.
At first, Joseph was protective and barred them from entry. Mary asked Joseph to admit them. They came and worshiped the baby and soon left.
In the ensuing silence Mary reflected on the announcement, on the acceptance of Joseph, prompted by an angelic dream, on Elizabeth’s greeting (“the mother of my Lord”), on the hard trip from Nazareth, on the labor in difficult surroundings and on the unexpected visit and the worship of the shepherds.
Truly, she held a miracle in her arms. She became committed to this little bundle for the rest of her life. She did not know the future, but she knew to expect miracles.
Advent Sunday 3: Prayer
Glorious Holy Spirit, come in the power of God to fill my heart with faith. Give the humility to look on Your moving in my life as Your work and not my own. Give me the faith to submit to any miracle You desire to manifest in my life. Remove from me any pride of place or privilege, so that I can become a worthy vessel of your Spirit.
To the glory of God my Guide and Teacher; Amen
Advent Celebration: Second Sunday
Second Sunday in Advent–The Shepherds Candle, purple
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. (Luke 2:16-18)
Angels Visit the Shepherds
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:9-10)
Like a mighty army the myriad angles marched away into nothing. The faint light of the stars shone on the awe-struck faces of the shepherds. Momentarily stupefied, they turned to one another. “God came to us with this amazing announcement.” For a moment, they were just amazed, and then it came to them: “The Messiah! We have to go and see!”
Captured by the import of the message they considered nothing else, leaving their sheep, they raced into the nearby Bethlehem.
There, according to the word of the angel they found the newborn at the breast of a young woman, hardly more than a girl. This domestic scene was set in a barn with all the animals around.
Shepherds Worship Jesus
With God’s revelation, they recognized their Messiah in the person of the newborn babe. In simple humility, the shepherds bowed to worship God’s Son born of woman. Their worship was in spirit and in truth.
Jubilant, they headed back to their sheep, loudly praising God. As people called out to them asking what all the fuss was about, the shepherds joyously announced the coming of the Messiah who would deliver God’s people.
They were indeed the first evangelists, proclaiming the Good News that Jesus had come to save us from our sin.
Advent Sunday 2: Prayer
Gracious Savior, I come before You to acknowledge that You are my Savior and my God. I worship you for Your surrender of Your life, so that I can live with You forever.
Give me the joy that the shepherds experienced in finding our Savior. Holy Spirit give me the boldness to proclaim the Good News to all we meet, telling each that there is a Savior in the world and He has a wonderful gift for each one who believes.
To the glory of God, our Savior; Amen
Advent Celebration: First Sunday
First Sunday in Advent– The Angels Candle, purple
Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:10-12)
There was no warning. It was a dark night with only the faint light of the stars. The shepherds on the Bethlehem plain were routinely watching their sleeping sheep. All was at peace, so the shepherds were beginning to drowse.
Suddenly the Sky burst bright with holy light. There in the sky was an angel, glorious in brilliance. Startled out of near sleep the shepherds were stricken with fear. They cowered in terror.
But the angel declared,
Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:10-12)
Miraculously, the terror bled out of the shepherds’ hearts, and they were left in holy awe at the majestic angel. Perhaps this was the Archangel Gabriel, who brought the news to Mary that God would conceive in her the Messiah.
The angel said he had good tidings. The Shepherds began to be excited.
He said the news would give them great joy. Their anticipation increased.
He said the joy would be for all people. Likely, the Jewish shepherds interpreted “all people” to mean the Jews. But the angel was speaking to encompass all the world’s people.
He announced that the Messiah was being born. This was exceeding great news to the shepherds. As Jews, it was the answer to the fervent desire of faithful Jewish hearts. The Messiah was the long-awaited deliver of the Jews from bondage.
The Messiah had first been promised to Moses,
And Jehovah said unto me, They have well said that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. (Deuteronomy 18:17-19).
Isaiah prophesied.
The Announcement by the solitary angel concluded with a sign, the proof of the truth of the announcement.
- A baby–a natural birth
- Wrapped in swaddling clothes–a natural clothing for a newborn
- Laying in a manger–this was totally unnatural. Babies were placed in cribs in the home. Cradled a manger, where cows eat, was a significant departure from the natural.
With the close of the announcement, again without warning,
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. (Luke 2:13-14)
We should contemplate the message that the Angels delivered. We are two millennia past the first Advent of the Messiah, but we have another Advent coming. We should have our hearts tuned to the Second Coming, when Jesus our Lord will come to deliver us from this fallen world and transform the world by his righteous reign.
Advent Sunday 1: Prayer
Father, You sent Your Angels with the best news in all the world–my Savior, came to die in my place for my sins. Give me a true heart to eagerly accept Him with great joy as did the angels. Give me a true heart to embrace Him, the most wonderful gift in creation.
To the glory of God, our Father; Amen.
Advent Wreath
Introduction to Advent
This is the season when Christians look forward to the birth of Jesus the God/man. Born a baby in the natural way, this child grew up to be a powerful preacher and miracle worker. He was fully man and operated in the power of Almighty God. He was fully God and participated in human life because he was a limited man. Through his life He did not sin; therefore, He was the perfect sacrifice for the sin of mankind. This God/man was tortured and killed, amazingly at the command of God. The ultimate purpose of the baby born in a Bethlehem manger was to be the perfect atonement for your sins and mine.
The Birth of Jesus
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (Luke 2:1-20)
For believers, this is the best of good news; there we celebrate his birth starting just after Thanksgiving. For the four Sundays before Christmas Day, December 25th we celebrate Advent. This is the anticipation of His coming into the world. The advent of Jesus the Christ, Emanuel = “God with us”.
The Advent Wreath
One of the traditions is to set out an Advent Wreath. There are many styles of the wreath. Nearly all of them include a ring of evergreen boughs and candles. Christians have adopted the evergreen tree as a symbol of the Christian faith in everlasting life. The candle with its burning wick symbolizes the light of Christ that came into this dark world.
The style of wreath I favor is the ring of four candles – three purple and one pink, and then as a pièce de résistance on Christmas Day a large, white candle set in the center.
Each candle is symbolic of something or someone. The meanings I favor are:
First Sunday in Advent | Purple | The Angels candle |
Second Sunday in Advent | Purple | The Shepherds candle |
Third Sunday in Advent | Pink | The Mary candle |
Fourth Sunday in Advent | Purple | The John the Baptist candle |
Christmas day | White | The Christ candle |
Praying for the Church
Author: Steve Gammon, Conference Minister
One of the most important things any of us can do for our churches is to pray for them. When Paul wrote to the churches the things dearest on his heart, he often focused on prayer.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
In Colossians 1, for example, there are wonderful lessons on how to pray for the church. In verses 4-7 Paul begins with prayers of thanksgiving. Let me encourage you to join me in praying such prayers of thanksgiving for the faith of God’s people, for their love, and hope, for their response to the gospel that still goes out, and for faithful ministry leaders like Epaphras.
Prayers of Petitions
Then in verses 9-14 Paul presents a list of petitions for which he unceasingly prays for the church—for the knowledge of His will, for spiritual wisdom and understanding, for lives lived “worthy of the Lord”, for bearing fruit in every good work, for growth in the knowledge of God, for strength and power, for great endurance and patience, for joyful thanksgiving to the Father, that they might know that God has qualified them and has already rescued them from the dominion of darkness, that they might know that God has brought them into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, and that they might truly believe in the redemption and forgiveness of sins that is theirs in Christ Jesus!
Paul not only longed for these things for the church! He fervently prayed for them! I want you to know that I am praying for you! And I urge you all to be praying for the church!
Culture’s Economy vs. Christ’s Economy
Gratia Christi, quod Sum, quod Vivo, quoque Laboro facit.
The grace of Christ makes what I am, what I live, what I do
Culture’s Economy vs. Christ’s Economy
The current culture envisions our national economy as a zero sum game. The belief is promoted that we have a limited amount of financial resources and no more. There are many more people who have few financial resources, while there are few people who have many more financial resources.
Many believe the reason that some have more is that the many have few. Thus they conceive that those who have more owe a debt to those that have few. They conclude that the wealthy owe it to the poor to “share the wealth”.
It is human nature to keep what you have. Those who have more want to keep it. It is also human nature to want more than you have. Thus those who have less in a zero sum economy want to take some of the financial resources from those who have more. They say, “after all, it is only fair!”
Equality and Redistribution
To the progressives in our culture, “equality” means essentially what Marx and Lenin espoused, redistribute from those that have the ability to produce to those who have the need to consume. What the two Communist leaders overlooked is human nature. Without an adequate reward for one’s labor, i.e. what a person considers will be adequate, he or she will have no incentive to produce. On the other hand human nature is such that basic necessities granted without working for them remove the incentive to produce and encourage indolence.
Many famous people achieved what they had through hard work. They recognized the individual’s obligation to work hard and produce. Here are some of their thoughts:
Horace – Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.
Benjamin Franklin – It is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man.
Albert Schweitzer – A man can only do what he can do. But if he does that each day he can sleep at night and do it again the next day.
Anne Frank – Laziness may appear attractive, but work gives satisfaction.
Henri-Frédéric Amiel– Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you.
Sam Ewing – Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up at all.
Martin Luther King, Jr. – All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.
Charity and Pride
In previous generations culture expected a man would do honest work to provide for his family. It was shameful for any family to be, “on the dole”. i.e. receiving a handout from the government. The family pulled together to do whatever work they could to contribute to their family needs.
When this was not enough they reluctantly accepted the “dole”. Out of their pride to provide for themselves they took the stance that this was only temporary. They continually worked hard, bending every effort to regain their independence from government handouts, to regain their self-respect. There was little or no thought of requiring the “haves” to fork over a “fair share.”
Welfare Culture
Contrast that to today’s culture. We have in the last 50 years done away with the stigma of being “on the dole”, of being unable to provide for yourself and your family. In fact we have done three things that keep people on welfare:
- We have raised the bar so high for people to escape welfare that it is very difficult and nearly impossible for them to provide for themselves.
- We have re-construed welfare (the dole) to become a right, instead of a gift. All segments of our society advocate and encourage people in difficult circumstances to stop struggling and apply for Federal and State and County and City “assistance”. “That’s what it is there for, so use it!”
- These governments provide so many welfare offerings (food stamps, rent subsidies, medical care, aid to dependent children, etc.) that by gaming the system one can live quite comfortably without doing any real work. People are no longer responsible to provide for themselves and their families.
Generations on Welfare
The pernicious result is that we have numbers of families that have been on welfare and not working productively for four generations. They not only find it extremely hard to find a job they have little or no work ethic to keep any job they get. These victims of “the System” have been lulled by a culture of indolence to consider work a penalty. They live in a state of ennui. They are bored with nothing to do. Tragically, their only productive engagement is to find creative ways (too often destructive ways) to fill in the hours of the day.
In Christ’s economy, Scripture expects a man to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow[1]. Even the New Testament affirms that if a man will not work for his food, do not feed him.[2]
God is Generous and Merciful
God is a generous and a merciful God. He recognized that there are some people who, through understandable reasons, cannot escape poverty. His provisions began with the practice of gleaning. Farmers were instructed not to reap he corners of their fields; any grain that fell to the ground was to be left there. Olive orchards and vineyards were treated the same. Gleaning the leavings was the provision for the poor[3]. Even they were expected to work for their food. They had to go out to gather and then process the grains, olives and grapes to provide for themselves.
Beggars were a fact of life and all people were expected to give something to them. Jesus teaching on alms-giving assumed the people would give alms, so he did not teach such giving.[4] He did counsel sacrificial giving out of love.[5] Because God loves those who are generous without coercion He blesses their giving. He rewards them both materially[6] and spiritually[7].
One further provision for the poor is offensive to our culture. When a person or a family just could not make it, they sold themselves into slavery. This was not perpetual slavery, but for a time not to exceed six years[8]. Jewish slaves were not mistreated. In the Sabbath Year, masters released all Jewish slaves, unless they chose to permanently remain a slave.
All of this provision for the needy was voluntary. the only compulsion was the restriction to prevent the land owner from gleaning his own fields.
God’s Bounty
We see that God’s provision is not a zero sum game. His economy is not closed. For all who labor, their labors produce what they need. Further, for the generous, God repaid by His blessings.
The grasping, whether they are rich or poor lose in the long run. The generous whether rich or poor gain in both the short and the long run.
God’s bounty is ever flowing, because He is not limited to the resources of this earth. Those who engage in His economy never need worry that there will not be enough. Those who trust in His economy find the counter-intuitive to be God’s common practice.
In Christ’s economy work produces not only livelihood, but dignity. In Christ’s economy indolence reduces the man to something less than worthy.
Maranatha! tb
[1] Genesis 3:19 [2] 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 [3] Deuteronomy 24:19-21 [4] Matthew 6:1-4 [5] Luke 12:33 [6] Luke 6:38 [7] Ibid. footnote 5 [8] Exodus 21:2
Culture of Government vs. Culture of Christ
Gratia Christi, quod Sum, quod Vivo, quoque Laboro facit.
The grace of Christ makes what I am, what I live, what I do
Culture of Government vs. Culture of Christ
Ruth read a recent Facebook post about a SWAT Team raid on the Garden of Eden. Neighborhood complaints of code enforcement and allegations of growing cannabis brought on the City of Arlington, Texas Swat Team raid. Note: no violence was reported. There was no indication that of child abuse, and no threat of the residents fleeing or disposing of evidence. The raid was surreptitious and without provocation. Helmeted, goggled, bullet-proof vested, combat booted and automatic weapon toting troopers descended and handcuffed everyone except a two week-old baby.
They found no marijuana, so there was no criminal offense. Yet they destroyed a sweet potato patch and confiscated okra, tomatillo, native grass and sunflower plants in their 10-hour terrorizing of the residents.
Marriage in the Culture vs. Marriage in Christ
Gratia Christi, quod Sum, quod Vivo, quoque Laboro facit.
“The grace of Christ makes what I am, what I live, what I do”
Love in the 60’s
Ruth and I began dating and because we liked one another, we became “steadies”. We fell in love in 1960, and began looking toward marriage as the consummation of our relationship. In those days, the vast majority of couples who dated seriously married. Couples just did not move in together! It meant social ostracism to do so. Pre-marital sex was rare. It was done furtively and kept a secret. We have come a long way, baby!
Love Generation
In the ‘70’s, couples began to question marriage. “It’s just a bit of paper. We love each other! We don’t need a piece of paper.” The arguments for marriage sounded pretty thin to the lusty youth of the after ‘60’s “Love Generation”, and the “Question Authority” crowd. The incidence of marriage has declined over the decades, while “living together” has skyrocketed.
It is certainly a lot easier to move out then to get a divorce. This of course has the consequence of at precipitous drop in commitment. Attendant is the increase of childless couples.
Family formation has taken a back seat to romance. As long as they both shall love, they stay together. Birth control (actually birth prevention techniques) has led to a significant reduction in the nation’s indigenous population. The self-centeredness and irresponsibility of the general population has increased. With no commitment to a marital partner and no responsibility to raise children life is pretty sweet. Right? Actually, the lack of permanent relationships creates a lonely population and some pretty depressing elder years.
Lack of Commitment
Not to forget marriage, the same lack of commitment and irresponsibility has infected marital couples and families. That lack of commitment has increased the divorce rate over the last half century from about 20% to over 50% today. Some think they are clever to change the wedding vows from “so long as we both shall live” (a lifetime commitment) to “so long as we both shall ‘LOVE’ ” (admitting that each is planning to bail out when things get tough).
Since the “honeymoon” may last a half dozen years, the family including children has likely grown from two to four or five. Divorce not only breaks the relationship between the man and the woman, but it also damages the children. They lose the important values stemming from integrity in family relationships. The breaking of the relationship erodes trust. How can one trust the faithfulness of others when someone intimately related in marriage breaks his or her vows and walks out? How can I trust myself in a relationship if I have not been able to stick it out in a previous relationship? The answer to both questions is that trust is the victim on both sides of a broken commitment.
Marriage Back in the News
Recently marriage has re-surged in popularity only because homosexuals want to cover their nakedness with the sham of marriage. They think if they codify in law the acknowledgement of their relationship, that will make them more acceptable to society. Probably that is less true than they expect. The people who accept their relationship will do so regardless of governmental sanction. The people who do not accept their relationship will not accept it regardless of governmental sanction.
This brief treatise perhaps gives an idea of the confusion and brokenness that cultural view of marriage brings. Now we turn to Christ’s view of marriage.
God’s Plan for Marriage
In the beginning God created man and woman. He did not create man and a variation of man. Throughout the animal world, the Almighty created two sexes. Both are necessary for procreation of life. That is only natural. He created the two sexes very similar, but also very different. Among mankind (which is what concerns us here), men and women are complementary. It was His plan from the beginning to bring man and woman into an exclusive life-long relationship.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
This “one flesh” concept means that they become joined in a mutual, committed, interrelationship that is life-long. Only those who have lived in marriage under Christ for many decades can truly understand the “one flesh” concept. It is in fact the most healthy, blessed relationship among humans.
Healthy Families
Life-long commitment is the foundation of healthy families. As children are raised they begin to understand the differences and the needs of men and women by constantly living with mom and dad. They see them together working out hard times and enjoying bountiful times. The children grow up in security. They know that when mom or dad leaves she or he will always come back. The trust between the woman and man allows the failures of each to be met with understanding and forgiveness. Children see that breaches do not mean destruction of the relationship. Growing this environment, allows the children to develop a strong commitment to loyalty and honor (both sadly lacking in today’s culture).
When two people who love Jesus marry, they participate in a ceremony involving three persons. The couple makes vows in the name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They vow to love, honor and obey; to be faithful to one another; and to support one another in plenty and adversity. Since their vows are sanctioned by God, breaking them is an affront to God’s majesty. So when times get tough their vows before God lead each spouse to appeal to Him for the strength to honor them. When they pass through troubled waters they are stronger and even more blended into one flesh than before.
While statistics show the extremely positive results of a Christ-blessed marriage and children raised under it, they cannot come close to measuring the real bounty in the lives of each member of those families.
Christ in Marriage
If you are living together unmarried, ask Jesus into your relationship and commit to a marriage under His blessing.
If you are married but have not entered into it under Jesus’ blessing, find a believing Pastor and consecrate your selves and your marriage to Jesus and receive His blessings.
If you are married and have consecrated your selves and your marriage to Jesus, but are experiencing troubled waters, reach out for the hand of Christ and trust Him to lead you through.
If you are homosexuals and seeking acknowledgment of your relationship under the banner of marriage, recognize that God will not sanction your relationship. Turn away from your “identity” and turn to Jesus. He will transform your life and give you fulfillment in the sex He created you.
In all these cases, please pray with me this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge you as the Lord of my life. You created me with unique characteristics. You gave me the capability to love. Let my first and foremost love be to You. Give me the will to be fully obedient to your will. Grant me the grace to fully submit to You.
As a result of my surrender to You, Give me a holy relationship with the opposite sex. Lead me into a life-long commitment to my spouse. Build into our relationship the mutual respect for the differences between man and woman. Give us hearts to submit to one another as unto the Lord. Give us love for one another that will overcome the hard times, weather the disappointments, and forgive the failures. Give us the openness to confess quickly our offenses against one another. And then as you give us stewardship over children, give is the wisdom to raise them up in the faith, nurture and strengths of Almighty God.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Maranatha! tb
