Christianity

Marriage and Family

Ken

Marriage is Walking in Agreement 

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3 KJV). Male and female are attracted to one another because their Creator made it so, for the Divine Purpose is to produce a “godly seed” (Malachi 2:15). Marriage is a joint sharing or agreement, it represents the understanding that the “husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the saviour of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). Marriage is God’s arrangement of opportunity and responsibility. Adam had the intelligence to name all the animals (Genesis 2:19), yet he is remembered for humanity’s first sin (Romans 5:14). Not because he ate the forbidden fruit first, but because he was responsible for Eve, when she was deceived (1Timothy 2:14). God named Adam. Adam named Eve (Genesis 3:20). Parents name their children. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1). Parents are accountable to God for they determine the destiny of their children. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Children are inescapably a reflection or response to their parents, for the parents are the caregivers, whose conduct molds their children’s impressionable minds. “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). 

Marriage and Family: Ordained to Promote Obedience to God

Marriage is the means God gave humanity to fulfill the commission, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion” (Genesis 1:28). The necessity of marriage as opposed to simple cohabitation is based upon the commitment of a man and a woman becoming “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5). If marriage was not an institution of God, fornication (premarital sex) and adultery (sexual intercourse with someone other than your spouse) would hold no meaning. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Discussion of differences between the sexes recognize the female capacity of bearing the child and the male role of giving the seed; but, God instructs “husbands, [to] dwell with them [wives] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1Peter 3:7). 

Life’s Purpose: Glorify God

The discussion of marriage and family becomes lost in the struggle of life until life’s purpose is understood beyond merely existing. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1Corinthians 10:31). Moses declared, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The Preacher concluded, “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The Twenty Four Elders worship God, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). All of this unites in the centrality of the worship of Jesus throughout all the ages to come. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). 

Whatever Adam and Eve were purposed to do in the Beginning (walk with Yahweh), whatever Messiah Jesus accomplished in His Atonement upon the Cross (reconciled us to God), and whatever the NT Church is supposed to be accomplishing until Jesus raptures His Church (teach people to obey Christ), we are to accomplish within the framework of Christian marriage. “30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:30-32). 

Success in all areas of marriage and the family require

 A Basic Understanding of How God Accomplishes Obedience in Our Lives. 

First, we have been commanded to teach others to obey Christ. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).

Second, if we simply assume, we will obey because we choose to obey, then we are likely to assume our obedience is due to our good intentions resulting in our obedience. Yet, we have been plainly made aware, our obedience is due to God inspiring us to obey, i.e., “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

Third, the whole purpose of the New Covenant was to give us God’s Spirit to indwell us to inspire us to obey Him. “And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

Fourth, the first sermon of the New Covenant was Peter explaining what we must do to receive God’s Spirit. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). 

Fifth, we were then reminded, The Holy Spirit is given to them that obey Him, i.e., obedience to the command to repent and be baptized (2:38). “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). 

Sixth, Spirit directed walking is the obedience that overcomes the flesh. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). 

Seventh, this cycle of obedience continues for a lifetime until we are translated into eternity, where it is confirmed forevermore. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Corinthians 3:18). 

Father, cause us to see Marriage and Family as a powerful tool to accomplish Your purposes in the Earth. Overcome all of the enemies’ attempts to make Marriage and Family as only accidental or incidental to the human experience. Bless all those who embrace Your ways in this life. Grant them understanding and happiness as they overcome all the inevitable troubles of life, until we are translated into Your presence. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen. 

Inspired to Obey

Ken

One of the main things that should attract us to being baptized is not just the forgiveness of sins, but the receiving of the Holy Spirit. 

Let me explain. 

The very first sermon of the NT Church taught us: 

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38 KJV). 

Repentance and baptism bringing about the reception of the Holy Spirit — should intrigue us. 

Our sins are taken away and replaced with God’s Indwelling Spirit. 

Now, people can see when you have been baptized, because you just got wet. But, how can they tell, if you have received the Holy Spirit? 

Obedience is how you can tell if someone has the Holy Spirit. 

That is what the LORD told the prophet Ezekiel.  

“I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27). 

That to me is one of the most significant verses in the OT, which puts into perspective Acts 2:38. 

Perhaps you have already heard about the Promise of the Spirit? 

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:14). 

But, did you know something as simple as water baptism could be so significant? 

Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). 

Notice the Loyalty Oath taken and given at baptism, in the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event, declares Jesus as Lord. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [confession with the mouth implies the presence of others baptizing and witnessing the event], and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

But still, it isn’t a debate whether water or grace through faith saves us. 

It is Jesus that saves us. 

What should become clear is that the Gift of the Holy Spirit preached by Peter at Pentecost 

Isn’t you possessing the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit possessing you.

By our obedience to something as basic as water baptism, we were given the Gift of the Holy Spirit.

Just listen to how Peter and the other apostles put it in the Book of Acts: 

“And we are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). 

Did you notice that?

Obeying the command to be baptized gave the Gift of the Indwelling Holy Spirit.  

But, Jehovah’s promise of Ezekiel 36:27 was: 

“I’ll put My Spirit in you” 

 and 

“Cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” 

What dawned upon me (over long years) is the Holy Spirit causes us to walk in His Statutes, keep His judgments, and do them.  It meant

The Holy Spirit inspires us to obey God. 

Praise God! 

When the OT prophets and NT apostles were inspired to pen the words of Scripture, they were not taking rote dictation. 

I have come to the conclusion that

The giving of the Holy Spirit is for the express purpose of God securing and guaranteeing our obedience. 

Hallelujah! 

Not just securing our obedience to be baptized, but guaranteeing our obedience for everything! 

Paul expressed his heart to the Thessalonian disciples, as I do to you:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23).

May you be inspired to obey God! 

Heavenly Father, if we being evil know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more are You willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask You. Pour out Your Spirit upon us. Teach us to do Your will. Your Spirit is good. Lead us into the land of uprightness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Return quickly. Amen and amen.

Basic Christianity

Ken

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:1-2 KJV). Elementary or Basic Christianity is built upon a foundation of: (1) turning away from self-righteous, dead works, i.e., “repentance from dead works” (6:1), (2) confidence or faith in the Living God, i.e., “faith toward God” (6:1), (3) pledging our loyalty to Christ through a public display of water baptism, and entering into communion with the Body of Christ through baptism, i.e., “doctrines of baptisms” (6:2), (4) reception of gifts of the Holy Spirit through the “laying on of hands” (6:2), (5) anticipation of our future physical resurrection from the dead or our reuniting with departed saints at the Rapture, i.e., “resurrection of the dead” (6:2), and (6) anticipation of our future reward, i.e., “eternal judgment” (6:2). Are these not already “principles of the doctrines of Christ” (6:1) or “elementary instructions” (6:1 NET) for us, so that we “may move on to maturity” (6:1 NET) or “perfection” (6:1 KJV)? First, since “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), then dead works must be self-righteous works, which only justify us and not God, from which we are to turn away from in repentance. Second, to “have faith in God” (Mark 11:22) is fundamental to repentance. Third, willingness to pledge our loyalty to Christ in water baptism is fundamental to those whom “shall [not deny Christ] before men” (Matthew 10:33) and whom are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:3) and His communion. Fourth, recognition and preparation by others in the Body of Christ through the “laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6:2) is empowering disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit to make disciples, i.e., “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2Timothy 2:2 ). Fifth, preparing ourselves for the Resurrection or the Rapture — whether we are the “dead in Christ [who] shall rise first” (1Thessalonians 4:16) or “are alive and remain [who] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds” (4:17) at the “twinkling of an eye” (1Corinthians 15:52). And, sixth, the Bema Seat Judgment is the anticipation of those who have died in faith or were Raptured, to be rewarded and not punished, i.e., “For we must all appear before the judgment seat [Greek, bema] of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad [loss of reward, not punished]” (2Corinthians 5:10). Father, where we have poor understanding, strengthen us, because we desire to be those, who go on to maturity and perfection in the face of upcoming hardship. Number us among those, who seek to add to our understanding and who refuse to be at ease in Zion. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Your name, we pray. Amen and amen.