Have you met this God? Applying the Glory of God from Isaiah 6

Have you met this God? - Applying the Glory of God

Isaiah 6 is one of my favorite chapters in Scripture.  This passage was the one from which I preached my first and last sermons at Rock Hill BaptistChurch.  It is one of the clearest places where we see God in His glory, in His holiness, in His righteousness, in His sovereignty.

This passage paints a picture of God that has had such a profound effect on me as a pastor, as man, as a sinner saved by grace.  His Holiness devastates me, His righteousness convicts me, His sacrifice has redeemed me, His grace has saved me, His glory motivates me, His majesty subjects me, His sovereignty encourages me, His kingship bends my knee.  I have met this God, though not face to face as Isaiah or Moses, but clearly in His Word- and I am undone, I am wrecked, and I redeemed by Him.  I have just one question for you: Have you met this God?

For those who haven’t met Him, my hope is to introduce Him to you- For those of you who think you know Him, but are just playing at religion, my prayer is that you be convicted - For those of you who truly know Him, my desire is for you to be encouraged in who He is.  And all of this not by some persuasive speech, but by the glory of God, in the reality of who He is.

Isaiah 6:1 says, “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up.”  Uzziah was a good king, until he thumbed his nose at God’s holiness.  2 Chronicles 26 tells of king Uzziah becoming arrogant and proud.  He enters into the temple to burn incense, something only a priest, someone who had been cleansed and set apart, sanctified was allowed to do- And for this arrogance God whacks him.  God takes him out because he flouted his unholiness before a holy God. 

This is why I say God’s holiness devastates me- The picture of God is one of infinite holiness.  Uzziah walks into the temple to do something that he was forbidden to do.  He wanted to add to his kingship something the pagan kings told their people they had- divinity.  And here is a reality about God that separates Him from the false Gods.  Our God is glorious and He does not share His glory with those who seek to take it from Him.  God is sovereign in everything, and we are nothing before Him- though He regards us as of worth to Him, even desiring to tabernacle with them (Ephesians 2:22). 

He goes on to say, “and the train of his robe filled the temple.”  The robe was a sign of majesty and royalty.  Near Eastern kings wore robes that symbolized their dominion and majesty.  The larger the train, the more the glory, the more majesty, the more power they possessed. 

This robe that Isaiah sees fills the entirety of the temple- It completely fills God’s throne room.  The picture that Isaiah paints is one of awe, of reverence, but also of terror for those who might take Him too lightly.  This is a picture of a God whose control over this world is absolute- He is the God whose Word controls the universe.  The entirety of creation submits to God’s Word- Do you?

God sovereignty should strike us.  Are you striving for human things?  Are you depending on yourself for success?  This is something God has convicted me of through this passage.  We rise or fall not on our own strength, not on our own abilities, but on the decisions and declarations of sovereign God.  If we are not careful, we can fall into the trap of Uzziah- to believe that we make our own destiny, that we are masters of our own fate, that we succeed or fail by our own strength.

That’s the cultural narrative today- It’s in all the movies, the music, the TV, the books that we love today- a hero changes his own fate by pulling himself up by the boot straps, by their own power, by their own strength.  Whereas God says something completely different about the child of God.  ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’  (2Corinthians 12:9)

Isaiah 6:2 says, “Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.”  Here we start to see the picture of God’s devastating holiness.  Here are creatures specifically made to give praise to God.  They are sanctified, they are without sin as they are directly in the presence of God.  They are not fallen like us, they are not rebels against a holy and perfect God, but faithful sinless servants.  And even they cover their faces before the all-holy God.  Even these superhuman creatures humble themselves and cover their feet because of the overwhelming holiness of God. 

The picture of His holiness and glory gets even greater when he says, ‘And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”’  This along with Revelation 4:8 are unique places in Scripture.  In Hebrew, if you repeat something it means it’s really important- if you repeat it three times, it is supremely important. 

There are many attributes and characteristics of God- God is love, God is just, God is merciful, God is gracious.  But the only attribute of God that is repeated three times in a row is holiness, meaning God’s holiness is beyond comprehension.  The holiness of God is absolute moral purity! 

This is why we are called to a life of holiness if we are in Christ Jesus- because God is Holy.  Not to earn our place in Him, but because we are in Him and because God is holy.  Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” 

Folks, if you don’t have a desire to live lives of holiness, to turn from sin and to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, I must ask you, “Have you met this God?”  This is the God whose glory is so overwhelming that it fills the earth.  No king is equal, no false god is comparable, and there is no salvation from the wrath of this holy and perfect God apart from in Christ Jesus.  Have you met this God?

Let me tell you how holy and glorious this God is- the entirety of throne room shakes.  “And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.”  Can you picture this?  The praise of God in His holiness and majesty literally shaking the foundations of the place you are standing.  Just reading about Isaiah’s experience in the throne room strikes wonder, reverence, terror, thanksgiving, and praise in the hearts of the believer. 

It leads to examining yourself, to repenting of sins, to turning towards God in His holiness and striving to live lives pleasing and acceptable to Him – Have you met this God? 

What does it mean that the house was filled with smoke?  Throughout the Old Testament, smoke being seen in the temple or among God’s people represented God’s present with His people.   Do you see this- God’s presence is visible, its clear.  The Glory of God is present with His people.  And what happens as a result of seeing this?          

Isaiah responds by saying, ‘And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”’  (Isaiah 6:5 ESV)  Isaiah cries out woes- He literally calls down curses on himself.  He confesses His sins before God.  You have to remember, Isaiah was probably one of the best his generation had to offer- and he is wretch before this God.  He so convicted of his sins, burdened by the weight of God’s glory that he openly confesses his sin and recognizes that the consequences of his sinfulness will be his own destruction[1]

He says I am undone or lost- literally it means “cut off.”  Isaiah is publically recognizing that his sins have literally cut him off from this perfect God.  And he mourns his sin.  Do you mourn your sins?  If you don’t, have you really met this God?  Because you can’t meet this God, in all His holiness in His perfection and not mourn your sins. 

There is a wonderful example of this in John’s Gospel with the woman at the well.  Jesus engages a Samaritan woman, gives her what she needs to understand regarding Christ and living water.  The woman responds, asking for this water- begging for it so that she can rid of herself of social and physical burden.  But Jesus changes the subject and directly addresses her sin.  He tells her to go get her husband, knowing that she isn’t married and that she is living in adultery.

The evangelism experts would say “Jesus, you’ve got it all wrong!  You can’t point out her sin!  That’s a downer!  Why address sin when she’s already interested in what you have to say?”  Because there is no salvation apart from repentance.  There is no grace without understanding the reality of ones sins.  You don’t realize your depravity, your sin, your helplessness, until you realize the holiness, the majesty, the glory of God!

Isaiah can’t be sent on mission, he can’t be in the presence of God until his sins are atoned for.  ‘Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”’(Isaiah 6:6-7 ESV)  This is the heart of this passage.  God sends an angel to the alter, pulls an ember, and atones for Isaiah’s sin

Here’s what we need to see- Isaiah does nothing but confess his sins before a holy God.  He is hopeless, he is helpless, he is utterly immersed in sin.  Yet he repents and God takes away his sins.  God does the hard work.  Do you see what’s going on?  God in His holiness is the center of this passage.  God is clothed in glory, majesty, honor.  Signs of His holiness surround Isaiah and he is crushed by the weight of this reality, repents, and is saved.  Have you met this God?  The God who just by the weight of who He is causes a man to repent, to rest in the truth of who He is;  The God who causes a man’s life to be radically altered just by His glory. 

In verse 8, he says ‘And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”’  Isaiah’s life is fundamentally altered by the atonement of God, by his glory and holiness.  His Glory, His holiness, His, majesty, His graciousness, His love change him to the core.  He is devastated by God’s glory, He is convicted by His righteousness, he is redeemed by his sacrifice, he is saved by God’s grace, he is motivated by God’s glory, he is subjected by God’s majesty, he is encouraged by God’s sovereignty.  Isaiah is radically altered.

This holiness, this glory, this love, this grace radically alters him ways we can hardly imagine.  Look at what happens in verse 9-13.  “And he said, “Go, and say to this people:

            “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand;

            keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

            Make the heart of this people dull,

                        and their ears heavy,

                        and blind their eyes;

            lest they see with their eyes,

                        and hear with their ears,

            and understand with their hearts,

                        and turn and be healed.”

            Then I said, “How long, O Lord?”

            And he said:

            “Until cities lie waste

                        without inhabitant,

            and houses without people,

                        and the land is a desolate waste,

            and the LORD removes people far away,

                        and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land.

            And though a tenth remain in it,

                        it will be burned again,

            like a terebinth or an oak,

                        whose stump remains

                        when it is felled.”

            The holy seed is its stump.

Do you hear what God tells him?  He is going to preach and they won’t hear.  In fact, the more he preaches the more hardened they become.  God will use him to enact judgment and he will see very little fruit in his ministry.  Can you imagine this?  God tells him your ministry will not be a success in human standards, in fact it will be in human measurements a failure.  No megachurch pastorate, no book deals, no celebrity status- Isaiah will be hated for His Word.  Yet he persists because of the glory of God, because of the holiness of God, because he has met this wonderful God.

Have you met this God?  This God that motivates the martyrs to suffer well, to lay down their lives? This God whose holiness moves the saints to live lives pleasing and acceptable to Him?  This God whose majesty motivates the persecuted to continue sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  This God whose perfection brings the sinner into repentance?  This God who’s Glory compels the missionary to deny himself and run into the darkness with the glorious light of Christ and His Gospel?  Have you met this God and has your life been changed by the truth of who His is?

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[1] E. Ray Clendenen, Isaiah 1–39, The New American Commentary (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2007), 192.

Regular Army Appointment

Some pics from the ceremony and reception for my active duty appointment and Rock Hill Farewell

Dangerous Christmas

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Dangerous Christmas

            Remember A Christmas Story?  You know, the movie that gets played non-stop for 24 hours on Christmas about Ralphie and his Red Rider BB Gun.  The little kid wants nothing more than the gift of a BB gun from Santa and everyone he asks about it gives him the same response- “You’ll shoot your eye out.”  He fantasizes about it, he craves it, his life won’t be complete without it- and when he gets it, he very nearly shoots his eye out. 

            Over the last month on Sundays, I have been preaching about how dangerous Christmas is.  A Christmas Story kind of illustrates this point, but not in the way that one would think.  See, A Christmas Story is a completely secular Christmas Story.  It represents a trend in society to turn Christmas into a secular story of good will and peace on earth.  And while there is value in good will and peace on earth, it is not the ultimate meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is quite dangerous if we stop and examine the truth of the events celebrated. 

            Christmas is dangerous because of who is born in the Manger.  The Scriptures tell us that born to us is a Savior who is Christ the Lord.  These three titles speak as to whom it is that is born.  Each one of these titles is closely associated with God in the Old Testament.  True saviors in the Old Testament are sent from God.  In some cases, it is even God Himself that is the Savior.  Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah, meaning anointed or appointed one, a title closely associated with God.  In fact, in some turn of the millennia Jewish theology, an incarnational (divine) Messiah was expected.  The title Lord (Kurios in the Greek) was also divine in nature.  In the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint, the word Jehovah was translated with Lord (Kurios in the Greek).  In these three titles is implied divinity.

            Furthermore, each of the titles has massive implications.  The title savior implies the need for salvation, thus sin.  Each human being is sinful from birth.  We are rebels against a holy and perfect God, choosing our own wants and desires over God, thus lifting up idols above God.  The term savior not only implies graciousness in that He would be born in humility to save us, but the very need for grace itself because of human failings and sin. 

            Messiah, or anointed one, indicates that this is a task that cannot be achieved by human effort.  Many in the days of Jesus pretended to be the Messiah.  In fact, there were hundreds if not thousands who made this claim for themselves.  However, not one is remembered today except the One who could truly accomplish what needed to be accomplished.  No human effort could result in salvation- only the Messiah God-Man could accomplish this task.

            The term Lord suggests not only Jesus’ divinity, but also His reign over the lives of His followers.  Several years ago, there was a great controversy that exploded in Christian circles by those who opposed what is called “Lordship Salvation,” the historic Christian belief for two thousand years.  The basic premise of the argument was that one did not need to subscribe to the view of Christ as Lord in order to be saved- A person could be saved just by intellectual ascent to the truths of Jesus’ life.  One did not have to submit to God, love God, or even respect God in order to be saved, thus resulting in easy believism and a whole host of people who believed that they were saved though their lives showed no signs of conversion or regeneration.  This of course is contrary to the entire testimony of Scripture.  God demands that our lives center on Him and that every aspect of our lives be under submission to Him.  To the one who is truly saved, this is not a burden as God gives us a new heart and desire for different things.  After all, if one is saved yet has no desire to submit to Him, heaven would be torture as this is what heaven will involve. 

            If these titles are ascribed to the baby in the manger, then Christmas is dangerous simply on the basis of the nature of God.  Yet to those who are in Christ, it represents a wondrous reality; that the sovereign ruler of the universe descended on our behalf to bring many children to glory, for His glory.  This gives us great reason to celebrate, to worship, and to revel in the glory of God.

Sinners and Saints

            Several years ago, I had an odd encounter with an immigrant from China searching for a job so that he could stay in the country.  This elderly Chinese believer wandered into our church and no one really knew what to do with him.  He was hard to communicate with, seemed a little friendlier than most people in America are used to, and he was interested in being part of the fellowship of believers immediately.  He invited me to his home to meet his family right away and I remember being introduced to one of his family members.  Instead of telling me what this family member’s name was, he simply said “7^th generation from Adam.”  I was a little taken back and gave him a puzzled look- I had been to seminary, but had no idea who was the 7^th generation from Adam.  In fact, those passages that state names or introductions tended to be the parts I glossed over to be perfectly frank.  However, this man had such a deep love for Scripture not only because it is the inerrant Word of God, but also most likely because of the reality that the Scriptures are hard to come by in most parts of the world- something we take for granted so often is a valued treasure in most parts of the world.

So in the last few weeks, I have started a new project to further my knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.  I have decided to commit to memory the entire Book of Philippians over the course of several months.  I found a great free resource to help do this from the Resurgence.  Of course, this requires repeating passages over and over until they became memory.

In the processes of memorizing the first verse, I realized something that I had not focused on much in my study of this book.  As I said, I think there is a tendency to gloss over passages that we feel are familiarly or are simply stating facts not always immediately relevant to the current discussion.  I had even preached through Philippians several years back and had not focused on a word in this opening verse.  It says, “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons” (Philippians 1:1 ESV).  The word “saints” struck me as I was repeating the first 6 verses over and over. 

“Saint” is one of, if not the most common descriptors for Christians and church members (The Bible makes no distinction between Christians and those that are part of the church).  This term is not reserved for simply the elite or those who were important in church history- all those who are saved are called “Saints.”  The idea that we are called “Saints” should give us pause for just a moment.  The way that God chooses to describe those that belong to Him is with the word “Saint.” 

This word has a meaning, which is often missed in our culture because we are so used to only elites being called “Saint.”  It comes from the Hagios, which is the Greek word for “holy or set apart,” which appears over 200 times in the New Testament.  The word is transferred from the Old Testament. The Israelites were called ἅγιοι holy, separated and consecrated in Exod. 19:6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2, 21; Dan. 7:18, 22, etc.^[1] 

Calling the Christians and the church “Saints” has two distinct implications.  First, being called by a term that means “holy” implies that the church has been washed in the atoning blood of Christ Jesus.  Each person has rebelled against a holy and perfect God with no hope of making up for the sin that they have committed.  Therefore, each person is deserving of eternal hell.  While this is not a popular teaching today, it is the clear teaching of Scripture and the church for 2000 years.  Because of the death of Christ in our place and for our sins, by grace through faith we are saved.  In calling us “Saints,” God is reminding us of the Gospel; that He has cast our sins are far as the east is from the west.  He has reminded us that “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 ESV)  Christ has atoned for our sins and we are under wrath no more, if we have repented of our sins, believed on Him for salvation, and confessed Him as Lord. 

The second implication is that we are not only to be a justified people (saved by Christ from eternal hell to be with Him for eternity), but a sanctified people.  We are to be set apart.  The Bible is full of “already and not yet” ideas.  For example, we are saved and yet being saved at the same time.  Christ has defeated Satan, sin, and death and yet the final consummation of this is yet to come.  Similarly, we have positional holiness (salvation), while we continue to strive for holiness (sanctification).   Christians are not to wallow in sin, to make excuses or allowances for sin, but to put it to death.  They are exhorted to “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5 ESV)  This is strong language for a real and difficult topic.  Sin is to be given no quarter in our lives, but executed because God is holy and has shown us grace. 

As we are called to be holy as individuals, the church is expected to reflect this as well.  The church is to stand as a beacon of light in a dark word and sin is to be given no quarter.  This means holding one another accountable and standing for holiness.  Sometimes people within the church will get the misguided notion that sin can be tolerated because we don’t want to seem judgmental to those inside.  However, those same people are often quick to judge those who are outside, when this is exactly opposite of what the Bible says is the appropriate way to handle such things.  “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?” (1 Corinthians 5:12 ESV)  We are called to holiness as individuals and as a church.  In fact, these two ideas, personal and corporate holiness, are dependent on each other.  The individuals make up the whole of the group and thus holiness among the church is evident when the holiness is evident among its members.  This in turn, leads to the corporate gathering holding the individual accountable to personal holiness through teaching, relationships, and discipline when necessary.  They are both necessary.  This is most likely why one does not find Christians apart from the church in Scripture and also why holiness is emphasized so heavily in Scripture. 

Holiness is an essential characteristic of the Christian.  We can’t separate it from salvation because a desire for holiness is a fruit sign of conversion and hence salvation.  If you do not desire holiness as God is holy, chances are you are not saved.  It was the same New Testament author through whom the Holy Spirit said, “God is love” that God made clear that those who continue in unrepentant sin without a desire for holiness are not really saved (1 John).  There is a clear call simply in the name by which God chooses to call His people to holiness. 

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^[1] Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), Php 1:1.

A New Chapter in the Life of This Pastor

            Starting 30 December, I will no longer be the pastor of Rock Hill Baptist Church.  Over the last few years, God has worked in our hearts a desire to serve in ministry with military families.  Through the leading of the Holy Spirit and the providence of God in bringing such wonderful military families into our lives, we decided to pursue Active Duty with the US Army.  I will soon be serving as the Chaplain for a Squadron of Soldiers (CAV unit, hence Squadron rather than Battalion), pastoring in a different way than I have previously. 

            This time in our lives is quite exciting with many changes in a short period.  Mere days before we met our new daughter Abigail, I received the news that I had been selected for a Regular Army commission as a Chaplain and I received my first call from the Chief’s office congratulating me on the appointment just as Sarah was receiving her epidural.  Since then, things have been moving very quickly (thus, the long gap in posting).  We were told that our first assignment would be Hawaii and while this is a blessing and an opportunity, it has also been difficult in some ways as well.

            At first, the excitement of being assigned to Hawaii (and remembering that orders can change up until the report date) was all we could think about.  However, as we realized the logistics, the separation from family, the giving away of our dog, and sorting through our household goods to meet weight requirements for a military move we began to realize how real this all was.  And while we consider this a great blessing, it will also be a sacrifice in many ways. 

            And then there were the questions from my church.  Why?  Did this have something to do with difficulties at the church?  Did someone run you off?  The answer to the first question, I assured everyone was God’s call.  The second two were an emphatic no!  Sure, there have been difficulties at the church- every time you get sinful people in a room together, no matter how good they look on the outside you will have some amount of trouble.  Yet troubles are never good reasons for leaving whether one is a pastor or layman, and this is certainly not my reasoning for accepting this call.  In fact, many things in the church are very promising at this moment. 

            I believe that I am being called into a mission field that God has specifically been equipping me for over the last five years.   He has placed me in the company and service of many hurting military families.  Military families struggle in many unique ways and often there are too few people who will speak the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the only true hope for a lost world.  Yet God loves them tremendously and has sent His Son to save as many as would believe on Him.  The Apostle Paul spoke clearly in his writings, especially in the book of Philippians, regarding a ministry to the military of his day.  It was a Roman Centurion who was credited with the greatest faith in all Israel.  Those who are under authority tend to understand the lordship of Christ and submission to His command. 

            Please, keep us in your prayers during this time of transition!  Pray for the Soldiers and their families that we will minister to!  Pray that God will be glorified, that His name will be hallowed, and that His Word will be kept!

In Christ,

Chaplain Matt McCraney

PS I will still be maintaining this blog under the name “My Geek Pastor” for two reasons:  First, “My Geek Chaplain” doesn’t have the same ring to it, but second and most importantly, a Chaplain is a Pastor, simply one to folks in the Military and their families. 

Covenant Marriage

Covenant Marriage 

            Many people today talk of wanting a great marriage, especially within the evangelical church.  There are countless conferences and how-to guides from Christian perspectives (and many from perspectives that claim to be Christian that frankly aren’t) on achieving that elusive ideal of a great Christian marriage.  Some take the idea of having a good marriage so far that it becomes the goal of their faith and seem to “use” Christianity as a way to have that great marriage they’ve always wanted. 

To that end, many have started using the phrase “Covenant Marriage.”  The term sounds really good and Christian, but what does it really mean?  Is there something special about the Christian marriage or the idea of a covenant?  Could it be possible that we are just using the term because it sounds good instead of really understanding what it is? 

The truth is, marriage is or should be a covenant.  However, a covenant means a great deal more than people often believe it to mean.  It is not simply an agreement or a contract- it goes far beyond that type of tit for tat understanding.  It is not simply a way of describing when two Christians get married- it describes a connection far more spiritual and to be honest, most Christians do not have a covenant marriage.  It is not simply a relationship where God is honored- God’s involvement is far more important to the covenant marriage than that (though God is certainly honored in a covenant marriage). 

Covenant marriages involve much more work, respect, trust, and attention to spiritual matters than what is typically assumed to be necessary in marriage.   However, the outcome of the covenant marriage is much more pleasing to God, the spouse, and their family.  In all things, glory to God is given because He is ultimately seen as the covenant partner and the married couple exists as “One flesh.”

What is a Covenant?

            This idea of covenant is difficult to many modern people as it involves a level of commitment not found in much of today’s society.  Society has moved away from a need to make commitments in general.  Popular advertisements promise “No Commitment.”  Contracts are filled with escape clauses.  Laws and tax regulations are full of loopholes.  People in general have grown to dislike even the most basic forms of commitment. 

This feeling toward commitments is most dramatically seen within relationships.  There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who cohabitate rather than marry.[1]  This rise can be attributed in many ways to testing the relationship before making a permanent commitment.  However, researchers at the University of Michigan and others have found that often the men and women see this arrangement from very different perspectives and not always from the perspective of strengthening commitment, but weakening it.[2]  Women often see it as a step towards commitment, while men often see it as a way out of commitment.[3]  Commitment is on the decline and as a possible result, so is satisfaction in relationships. 

The idea of a covenant is very contrary to the social norms of today. A covenant is a solemn agreement or bond between two parties, by which each pledges to do or acknowledge something of value to the other.^[4]  The word covenant, in the Semitic mind (or in the cultural understanding that the people of the Bible understood it to mean), refers to an agreement instituted by only one party- the potential recipient must either accept or reject that which is offered, including all its provisions and conditions.[5]  It is typically the greater party that initiates the covenant and the lesser party that agrees to accept it.  This will become important shortly in the next entry. 

Covenant is the primary lens through which the people of the Bible saw their relationship with God.  The Abrahamic Covenant based on faith, established Israel as God’s chosen people, not based on their fidelity, but on God’s.  Because of God’s goodness, He promised to make them His own.  God establishes this relationship and it is based on His faithfulness and goodness.  In the New Testament, Christ fulfills all of the requirements of the Old Covenant (Matthew 5:17), and then dies a sacrificial death taking on the punishment for all those who repent of their sins and place faith and trust Him (1 Peter 2:24).  The Christian receives the blessing of the New Covenant by faith in what Christ has done in dying the death they could not die, recognizing that they could never live up to God’s standards, remembering Hebrews 12:1-2 which says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This covenant understanding affects everything the Christian does, including their understanding of marriage.  Because of Christ’s death for the forgiveness of sins, Christians are called to a life of forgiveness and repentance.  The New Covenant believer is reminded of their own sins and their need for a savior, resulting in humility and fidelity. 

The Bible is clear that marriage is a covenant established by God, between God and the man and woman as one flesh.  “Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”  (Malachi 2:14 ESV).  In discussing marriage, Jesus makes it clear that God is the one who actually performs the marriage and join the couple together.  He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”  (Matthew 19:4-6 ESV)  The marriage covenant is initiated by God, established in His presence, and strengthened by the couple’s walk with Him. 

Instead of switching from relationship to relationship or seeing relationships in terms of a contract, a covenant makes a commitment primarily to God and God serves as the mediator of that covenant.  It is lasting because it is binding, reliant on God primarily, and based on a mutual understanding of one’s walk with God.  The covenant marriage is a blessing because it depends not on our own flawed ability to do what is right, but on the promise of God.  

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[1] http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-27/living/pew.cohabiters.couples.finances_1_cohabiting-couples-college-educated-adults?_s=PM:LIVING

[2] www.ns.umich.edu/new/releases/8260   

[3] http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38776

^[4] George Thomas Kurian, Nelson’s New Christian Dictionary: The Authoritative Resource on the Christian World (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001).

[5] J. Julius Scott and Jr, Jewish Backgrounds of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI.: Baker Books, 2001), 64

The Gospel and Marriage

The Gospel and Marriage

            Jesus and marriage have been in the news quite a bit in the last few days, mostly due to a spurious fragment of papyrus less than the size of a few of your fingers with the poorly written words "Jesus said to them, 'My wife . . . she will be able to be my disciple.'"  The phrase is less than a whole sentence and there are great concerns about the authenticity of the work.  It’s dated to the 4^th century (somewhere between 200-300 years AFTER the orthodox Gospels were written), and some are claiming that it is a tremendous find that could revolutionize the Christian faith- clearly the people who discovered this are looking for publicity with outrageous claims as most scholars are doubtful 1) of any impact 2) it’s authenticity 3) any historical insight other than the wacky beliefs of some 3^rd century heretical sect living in the deserts of Egypt.  For a full exploration of why the whole thing is bunk, click here.

            It does bring up an interesting point about the real relationship between Jesus and marriage.  Throughout Scripture, we see a relationship between God and His people expressed in terms of marriage.  In both the Old and New Testaments, God is seen as the husband and the people as His bride.  There is this idea of intimacy that is found between God and His people, which is mirrored in the institution of marriage. 

            But going even further, it seems that one’s relationship with God and the intimacy that is found with Him has an important impact on the relationship that one has with their spouse.  It is only when the Christ follower has a right relationship with God, with their priority placed in that relationship that the relationship with the spouse flourishes.  Here’s why:

            At the heart of every sin is idolatry.  When we sin, we are placing someone (often ourselves) or something in the place of God.  That thing can be a person, a relationship, a hobby, a preference- anything.  As soon as anything becomes our top priority it has replaced God.  As John Calvin famously said, “Man’s nature, so to speak, is a perpetual factory of idols.” (Institutes I, XI, 8)  Man has a tendency to lift other things above God, to usurp God from the place in our lives that He demands and deserves.  Calvin goes on to say, “It is always idolatry when divine honors are bestowed upon an idol, under whatever pretext this is done.” (I,XI,9)  When we treat something with a divine reverence and desire it above all else, it has become an idol.  Adam and Eve did this in the Garden when they desired to be like God themselves.  We do this every time we disobey a command of God- our desires, wants, needs are elevated above God’s Word.

            When we prioritize a person (a spouse, a child, a friend) above God, we are placing them into a position of power over us that they cannot handle.  When we desire them (or the relationship with them) over God, we have placed them in a position that they can never live up to.  When our hopes, dreams, and desires are all wrapped around a person, fallible and sinful like us, they will inevitably fail us; and those hope, dreams, and desires will be crushed.  Something similar happens when we lift a vocation, a church, or a hobby into that position- we are finding our identity in them rather than in Christ, which leads us to depression or worse when they don’t live up to the position they are occupying. 

            Our relationships with our spouses are never right unless Christ is the first and most important Person in our lives.  Anyone who has been married for more than five minutes understands that that they are married to a fallible creature.  If the spouse or the relationship is placed in the spot only Christ can occupy, perpetual disappointment will occur.  You will never be satisfied with your spouse.  You will always selfishly crave something more, something different, something unattainable.  Remember the Word of God, “Be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Hebrews13:5b ESV) 

            Take a look at the first marriage and where problems develop in their relationship in Genesis 3.  As soon as sin enters the world through idolatry, one of the first effects, before God even pronounces judgment for the sins, disharmony and strife appear between the man and woman.  Notice the first response that Adam gives to God: ‘The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”’  (Genesis 3:12 ESV)  Once the relationship with God was damages, marital strife began and Adam blames his wife for his sin.  He considered his wife flawed rather than himself. 

            A person’s relationship with God profoundly affects their relationship with their spouse.  It is only because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we can give grace to our spouses and receive forgiveness in return.  Marriages (and all relationships) are devastated without forgiveness, mercy, and grace.  It is only through a right understanding of who God is and His Gospel of salvation from sin that we are able to live in understanding and peace with our spouse.  Only when we submit to God as God are we able to overlook our spouse’s failings and receive forgiveness for our own.  No one can live up to the position of God, but God Himself. 

            Remember, God will never fail you- Your spouse will.  Ensure first and foremost that your relationship with God is right and your relationship with your spouse will flow from that.  When our relationship with God is growing and prioritized, you will love your spouse sacrificially out of devotion to Christ.