love

Commandment Series: The Eighth

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“You shall not steal.” Exodus 20:15

There are many ways to steal. One is obvious, that of actively taking someone else’s possessions. Despite the glaring wrongness of this, many people in the world still have problems keeping their hands to their own stuff.

“Theft from retail stores costs the American public 33.21 billion dollars per year.” (1)

In 2014, it was estimated by the US Chamber of Commerce that “75% of employees steal from their workplace and do it repeatedly.” (2)

“Identity thieves… hit a record 15.4 million Americans” in 2016 (3)

There’s a great poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox called “Two Kinds of People.” I’ll only post the portion that relates to our subject:

“No! The two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the people who lift, and the people who lean.

Wherever you go you will find the world’s masses
Are ever divided into these two classes.
And, strangely enough, you will find, too, I wean,
There is only one lifter to twenty who lean.

This one question I ask. Are you easing the load
Of overtaxed lifters who toil down the road?
Or are you a leaner who lets others bear
Your portion of worry and labor and care?”

Stealing is a heart problem, as is every sin. Stealing is about not respecting others and their possessions, not giving in love, it’s about taking and selfishness, which is against everything God stands for.

There are other ways you might steal. If you write up incorrect information on your taxes (stealing money), take longer on a work break than you’re allowed (stealing time and possibly money), sell products with misleading advertisements (stealing money), or taking advantage of the goodness of others out of laziness (time, money, etc). We can add kidnapping to the list. You could probably think of other things that are actually theft. If the spirit of your actions are selfish, you might be stealing.

Hosea 12:6-8 But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud. Ephraim boasts, “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.”

“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.” Leviticus 19:13

You could also be stealing from God. He is the Creator and owner of all things big and small, and that includes time, energy, material possessions, living beings, etc. If you have the ability and possessions available to you that, after you and your loved ones’ needs are met, could help others, you have the obligation to do so. Nothing is really yours, after all. If you hoard things, you’re stealing what is God’s, and God wants everyone to be blessed. If you have an excess of anything, He wants you to share in the joy of blessing others.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

“If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. “Ephesians 4:28

Another way others have stolen is by being false prophets and teachers. This is also a way of stealing from God. They steal His people and lead them astray.

“This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.” John 10:6-8

Jesus was clear that stealing is undermining everything it means to be Christian. God wants to give generously out of love, and He wants us to emulate Him in this way.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

When we take, whether that’s material possessions, people, identities, time, energy, anything, we could have been giving. Use what He has given us to bless the world, and you’ll be blessed in return.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell. Whoever seeks good finds favor, but evil comes to one who searches for it. Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf. Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!” Proverbs 11:25-31

Sources other than the Bible:

1) crimedoctor.com/shoplifting-facts.htm

2) pinkerton.com/blog/who-took-that-preventing-employee-theft-in-retail

3) nbcnews.com

Commandment Series: The Seventh

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“You shall not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:14

Statistics show 19% of married women and 21% of married men admitted to cheating on their partners. Those are just the ones who admitted it. However, some people will define cheating as physical, some emotional, and others are deluded into thinking its not cheating if it’s an “open” relationship. By the way, humans never defined marriage, so they can’t define adultery. Only God can do that. So, how does God define it, anyway?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Matthew 5:37-42

The Greek for woman in this verse is “Gunh” which stands for “a woman; specially, a wife:–wife, woman.” (Strong’s) If adultery is to covet someone who isn’t yours, it is essentially about both envy but also the beginnings of theft. Now, of course humans are not objects which are actually owned by others, but they “belong” to one another in the sense of marriage. Their life together is for one another. In the same way as with any sin, even to foster the seeds of coveting a married person is a sin. As an aside, I believe it is not a sin to lust after an unmarried person. They belong to no one. However, if you are yourself married, be careful to focus on your partner. It is ok to observe and appreciate the beauty of this world and God’s creations, but remember to tend your own grass so the other side doesn’t begin to look greener. Once you water the seeds of that thought process, you are walking down the path to causing someone else to sin… which is a sin for you as well.

Does Jesus mean for us to literally pluck our eyes out if they cause us to lust? Well, I’m not saying no. I’m not telling you to do something so extreme, but the point is that you do whatever it takes, however painful it may be, to remove the things in your life making it easy to sin. Chances are good that the sin itself would be ten times more painful for everyone if you continue in it.

“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

This is connected to the idea that, for pre-Greek Hebrews, the soul with the body was the soul. If you sin with your physical self, you are sinning against your soul and vice versa. If other sins are all abstract, sexual immorality is a double whammy, hurting yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. As much as the modern world wishes to believe we can do things with others with no internal consequences, it’s not true. We are connected to everyone we physically connect to, which can be a problem to those involved in adultery or pre-marital relations.

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 1 Corinthians 6:15-16

One flesh, like a married couple. I’m sure there are some things we don’t understand about the connections forged, even unwillingly, between couples. Relations are meant for connecting and re-connecting emotionally between married couples. If this is taken outside that institution, it can bring more than just the possibly of a child (always a blessing!). It can bring emotional hang-ups, mental scars, loss of trust and connections with even future partners, etc. I can see some may not believe that, but I can also see that many who have never forgotten their past partners or the somewhat brief connections they shared that was ripped apart by the transitory nature of their relationships.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Hebrews 13:4

“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” Proverbs 6:32

“For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.” Romans 7:2-3

Alluding to a prior post about the symbolic nature of marriage, the husband, wife, and children can be considered a mirror of the Holy Trinity. The Trinity is permanent, not in the sense of mankind’s “permanency” which always ends even if it’s at death, but wholly, immortally permanent. A marriage is also meant to be as permanent as we can make it as humans so the rest of the world knows that there’s a sense of stability with God. We represent God is all we do, and that includes our marriage. Jesus would never serve another God than the Father, and the Father would never disown Jesus. It is unthinkable and impossible. We need this rock of trust in God and in our spouse. If we can not trust in the permanency of our spouse, the most permanent relationship we can forge with another human being, we can trust in no one. That’s not a world I wish to live in.

“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths. The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” Proverbs 5:18

Adulterers punish themselves and those around them for their selfish motives. Marriage is hard because we’re broken humans, but as Christians, we aren’t just humans. We are children of God, the God of selfless love. We must strive hard to not even entertain the seeds of adultery so that our paths are easier to walk and clearer to view.

Sources other than Bible:
http://www.divorcestatistics.info/latest-infidelity-statistics-of-usa.html
Greek Strongs Concordance

Commandment Series: The Fifth

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“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

There are many reasons for this commandment.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1

In an earlier post, we mentioned submission and how submission acknowledges the Trinity and our governance, as followers, by love and humility. In the Trinity, one might equate the Father to the husband, the Son to the wife, and the Holy Spirit to their child. Now, the Holy Spirit is a being in and of Himself, but He defers all attention to the union above Him. In the same way, a child does represents his/her parents and their character and family name. We must teach our children this fact as well as we can by teaching them the commandments.

“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:7

Understandably, not every parent in the world is honorable him/herself, and this law does not necessarily mean to obey evil commands given by corrupt parents. One must always keep in mind the order of authority given to us by God. Parents (or husband after marriage) is an immediate authority; above them is the Holy Spirit, and above the Holy Spirit is Jesus and the Father. If you worked for a company and the owner told you to lock the door by 9pm but the manager told you to keep it open until 10pm, you would defer to the owner’s words as she is higher in authority. So, although all authority is in place for a reason, you are not expected to do evil for parents, spouses, bosses, or government officials. If forced, it will be the authority’s head on the block, believe me.

So, what does God mean by honoring our parents?

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,” 1 Peter 5:5-6

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Colossians 3:20

Children should obey in everything but evil. This must be assumed. Obedience is one way of honoring your parents, as they are in a position of authority in your life. It’s difficult to be a parent, especially in this world of corruption that we have to prepare you for and defend you from, and it can be very difficult to be a child, too, navigating in the confusing maze of deciding between good and evil. Make it easier for everyone by doing what your mother and father ask of you. You will be lifted up in time.

“If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.” Proverbs 20:20

Don’t wish harm upon your parents, and don’t speak badly of them; this is another way of honoring your parents. I hope this is obvious, but sometimes, we become angry and frustrated with everyone in our lives. That includes our parents. You stand for your parents’ name, so if you speak evil of them, what does that make you?

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Proverbs 23:22

From the moment we hit puberty, many of us think we know better than our parents. This is not so, and if you are wise, you’ll listen to the words of your elders. You may learn something or not, but you certainly won’t if you turn a deaf ear. Just being a good listener is a way of honoring your parents. Also, sometimes, as our parents get older, they become less physically and mentally able. Try not to become resentful of the extra attention, assistance, or patience they may need. For most of us, our parents were there for us when we were incapable of doing anything but crying, and it is little to ask for us to do the same for them. You will be in their position soon enough, too.

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8

This also ties in with the prior verse in that your parents may need you to provide for them whether that is because of age, financial disruption, or disease. You honor your parents by caring for their needs. As followers of Christ, we are called to love others and meet needs in the world with that love. If you can’t love and care for your own relatives, you certainly can’t love and care for strangers. Even unbelievers take care of their loved ones.

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:32

If you should be respectful of your elders due to their authority and experience , the same goes doubly for your own parents. Let it be said that not all parents are biological. I feel strongly that if someone raised you, no matter who they are, they are also your parents. The 5th commandment pertains to them. Jesus honored both His earthly and heavenly parents.

“And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51

Not only your parents, but also your children, will treasure all you do for your mother and father in their hearts, whether they always show it or not. Don’t expect any more honor from your children than you give your own parents. Most importantly, your Father God will certainly be moved by your actions, and He will exalt you for the love you show them in word and deed.

Father’s Day with God

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Tomorrow is Father’s Day, which depending on who you are and what your relationship is with your own father, may conjure up a lot of mixed feelings. Although I’ve personally been blessed with a loving relationship with my dad, not everyone has. There are people with rocky connections, others who have lost their dads, and still others who don’t even know who that man might be. Where ever you may fall in this continuum, God has a message for you.

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” Romans 8:15

The Greek word for “adoption to sonship” is a term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. That means you are utterly His child in every way. This isn’t limited to males, just to be clear. It could just as well say “daughtership,” but in the time the Bible was written, that wouldn’t have given the child heirship to the father’s legacy. This means everyone, male and female, inherits the Kingdom of God as His children. He loves you too much to give you any less.

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.” Galatians 4:1-7

God, the Father, sent His only begotten Son to die for us so we could claim Him as our dad, too. There are many instances of God being referred to as a father, such as when Jesus was alone and afraid the day before His crucifixion.

“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36

One source states “Abba is a transliteration of the Aramaic used to address God in a relation of personal intimacy. It is a term expressing warm affection and filial confidence.” Consider when Jesus spoke of asking for what you need from God:

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:10

However, God is not a gender and can not be limited to being a father only. He is also referred to as a mother of His children.

“But Zion said, ‘The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.'” Isaiah 49:14-16

How about when Jesus speaks of all the times He’s sent people to guide us, and we weren’t listening?

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. ” Luke 13:34

The image of a father traditionally holds him to be the strength and backbone of a family while the mother is typically shown to be the nurturing and comforting one. While us humans fail in many ways, even in parenting, God never fails, and He could be looked at for parenting advice. See how He corrects, guides, and comforts us? He uses few words and lots of love. My favorite verse comparing God to a parent is the parable of the Prodigal Son.

“Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:11-24

Notice that the one son was allowed the freedom to mess up. When he returned, it wasn’t really because he felt guilty about doing wrong (at least from what we’re told). He was just tired of being alone, starving, and uncomfortable. He realized his father’s house was amazing, and he’d taken that life for granted.

When he returned, he did what many of us do when dreading a conversation. He prepared his words carefully. However, his father didn’t hear a word of what his son had prepared. He never thought twice about why his son had returned. He didn’t care. He was just too overjoyed that he’d returned safely, and he ran to his son, embraced him with affection and instant forgiveness.

That father is God and that son is you, His child.

So, however Father’s Day makes you feel this year and whatever relationship (or lack thereof) you may have with your earthly father, God is the truest father, and He is yours. He runs to you daily, embracing you, being your strength, your comfort, and all He wants in return is love. And if your earthly father is no longer in this world, remember God is His father too, and believe me, He’s giving him affection and joy as we speak.

May you all have a good Father’s Day, and don’t forget to send a Happy Father’s Day to your Father, God.

Sources other than Bible: biblegateway, biblestudytools

Anxiety & Depression: It’s Ok to NOT Be Ok

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“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34

In the ebb and flow of life, there are times and situations where we all fall into despair or pull our hair in anxiety. It’s a normal reaction to the darkness of the world. This is not our final destination, this is not our true home, and we are surviving in the acidic environment of humanity’s many downfalls. The above verse helped me through many times and continues to do so, which is why I posted it in its entirety.

There are also those of us who have “imbalances” in our body chemistry that causes higher levels of worry, fear, and depression even during times of relative calm. I firmly believe that these are the attributes of those people with higher levels of empathy and soulful connection to others in ways we don’t yet understand.

Either because of circumstances or the make of their bodies, there have been innumerable Biblical characters who’ve shared in their fair share of the darkest valleys. Every time, there’s been a repeated message from God.

Elijah:

“He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.'” 1 Kings 19:4

He ran away from Jezebel and her threats of death, tired and afraid for his life. Though he fled despite God’s instructions, God showed up with a gentle heart. He first sent an angel who laid down sustenance for him. This is when God tells him to wait for him on the mountain.

“Then, a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?'” 1Kings 19:11-13

God was in the soft whisper, always by Elijah’s side no matter what his state of mind.

Jonah:

“Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live…I am angry enough to die.” Jonah 4:3-9

Instead of rejoicing at the people’s turn around at his prophecy, he despaired that he would no longer be considered a true prophet since his prophecy didn’t come true. Despite his obstinate behavior, God showed up with a gentle heart.

“There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city. Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.” Jonah 4:5-6

God also used the plant to give Jonah a message on anger, but He’d stayed by Jonah’s side through the good and bad times.

Moses:

He killed an Egyptian without due process and fled for his life for forty years. When God showed up in a burning bush, Moses seemed to find himself unworthy based on past failures, and God never stated he was worthy. This is important to remember.

“But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’ then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” Exodus 4:1-14

It was through Moses’ weaknesses not his strengths, that God would show His grace and power. Again, after the Israelites were wailing over their hunger, Moses stated:

“I am not able to bear all these people alone. The burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now if I have found favor in Your sight and do not let me see my wretchedness!” Numbers 11:10-15

These are the words of a man in despair. Yet, God showed up with a gentle heart.

“I will take some of the power of the spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.” Numbers 11:17

Moses is still ranting and ruminating on his problems when God cuts in.

“Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.” Numbers 11:23

So, He got a little snarky with Moses (which is hilarious to me), but He was always there for Moses and ready to lift his troubles. All Moses had to do was ask. What’s equally memorable about this and the others who yell and rave at God is that He is always listening with patience and never do I find Him getting angry just because they are upset. He understands and wants them to pour their heart out, even if it’s anger toward Him.

Job:

Ah, yes, good ol’ Job. We can’t speak on anxiety and depression without mentioning him.

“Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11

“I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26

“I loathe my very life, therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in then bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1

“Terrors overwhelm me… my life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me. Night pierces my bones, my gnawing pains never rest.” Job 30:15-17

His book is a plethora of depression and anxiety and no wonder as everything and everyone had been taken from him, except his wife. Yet, he blames God for all this. God shows up in full effect, and honestly, you need to read the full reply to understand how awesome it really is.

” Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
‘Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone—
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?

…Surely you know, for you were already born!
You have lived so many years!

…Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me.'” Job 38-44

Yet, He, again, shows up with a gentle yet stern heart. He sets the record straight and good thing, since He’s the only One who can set Job’s life right again, which He certainly does.

David:

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11

David lost both of his sons, Saul was forever chasing him, and he had guilt of sin that tormented him. He asks a controversial question, “Why have you forgotten (or forsaken) me?” (Psalm 42:9).

Again, God steps in with a gentle heart. The fact is, God considered David a “man after my own heart.” Do you really think He forsook him? God says, “My love will never be taken away from him.” (2 Samuel 7:15)

God established David as king of Israel and promised him that his kingdom would endure forever. (Some claim Queen Elizabeth and her family are direct descendants of David, but that is a controversial subject.) Point is, God would not only be by David’s side forever but also by all of his descendants.

Jesus:

Yep, Jesus.

David’s Psalm 42 is nearly identical to Psalm 22 that was spoken by Jesus on the cross.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 22:1

This is said by Jesus while in agony on the cross; dying for our sins, He stood for all of us sinners feeling lost and abandoned. There is an answer to that question.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Just because you can’t see God in the darkness doesn’t mean He isn’t there. In fact, Jesus says this:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In Isaiah’s prophecy of Jesus, he is described as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Is. 53:3

The night before He was captured, when no one else but Him knew what the next day would entail, Jesus was understandably upset.

“‘My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death, remain here and keep watch.’ and He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying ‘Abba, Father! All things are possible for You, remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.’ then, an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44

What’s sad is that although He’d been there for us all through our tribulations again and again, as documented in the Bible, His disciples could not even keep their eyes open to comfort Him in His distress. Yet, He wasn’t alone. The Father and the angels He sent were there for Him.

Here are some other times God reminds us that He will always be there, even through our darkest days:

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

God reminds us that through doing our purpose in life, loving and caring for others, our spirits will lift as well:

“’Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday… then you will find your joy in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.’ The mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 58:1-14

Please remember, dear soul, whatever you’re going through that God is with you even if you can’t see Him. Forget that old saying, “God will never give you more than you can handle.” It’s a lie. God never tests you nor gives you evil, but the dark world will definitely give you more than you can handle alone. That is when you need to lean on the One who can handle anything. Give it to HIM. In the same way God wanted to show His grace and power through Moses’ weaknesses, He wants to show the same through yours. Don’t hold the world on your shoulders. You weren’t made that way. God made the world, however, so He can lift your worries while sustaining you in ways you never knew you needed. Be still and listen to that gentle whisper because there is God, forever by your side.

Marriage Part II: Let’s Talk About…

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In my first blog about marriage and how it reflects the Trinity, it didn’t really capture the multi-layered relationship that exists between couples. Ideally, marriage isn’t just a symbol, and it isn’t a two-dimensional, stale institution devoid of emotion. If it is for you, your relationship doesn’t exactly live up to its potential as created by God. Let’s return to the idea that God created an equal companion to man. He’d been busy creating and then declaring his creations good repeatedly until this moment. Suddenly, after creating man he broke this pattern and stated it “wasn’t good that man should be alone.” It wasn’t until He created a female counterpart that He said his creation of humanity was good.

Of course, us women are amazing.

However, it wasn’t just because of our general awesomeness that He declared humanity good and complete. It was because, now, man had a friend, a helper, a lover, and a person whose strengths matched his weaknesses. If you focus on the “help-meet” part, you miss the point. Animals can be excellent helpers in many ways for riding long distances, carrying heavy things, and even delivering messages (carrier pigeons are pretty cool). Yet, despite their ability to snuggle, they would never carry the same mental and emotional support another person would. Enter: women. We’re all about that mental and emotional support… generally speaking.

Passion: It isn’t always sexual. It’s part of the drive for connection between a couple. It can come out in many ways through various emotions. Marriage can be like a rollercoaster; love, passion, and trust are what forms the safety bars and belts to keep us inside the ride.

We can’t speak on passion without mentioning the Song of Solomon, the book of the Bible most likely to make you blush. We won’t go into all the breasts like towers or gazelle necks (I’m sure it sounds more poetic in the original language). Song of Solomon has been interpreted to signify everything from romance to politics to the relationship between God and Israel. If you read it as a layperson, however, you’ll agree it seems like a simple love song, meant to be sung as a duet. When you were a teen, did you ever write about a crush in your diary or journal? Bet it sounded like this.

“Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.” Song of Solomon 2:5

Gotta love the spirit of young love in this book, but it illustrates perfectly the passion and joy a married couple is meant to experience.

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.” Song of Solomon 2:3

After all, God created both pious love and romance, friendship and lovers. There’s nothing scandalous in it.

“Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth – for your love is more delightful than wine.” Song of Solomon 1:2

That’s probably because, in my opinion, wine tastes disgusting, but the point is that the two are drunk off their love for each other. The point is: marriage is about all of this. Of course, there’s a point in life when we are all just a little older and a little less likely to scamper for each other’s embrace.

“Listen! My beloved! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.” Song of Solomon 2:8

We shouldn’t lose that joy for each other even in mature love. Our marriage may be less showy leaves and overhanging branches and more deep-reaching roots, like two trees that tangle one to the another until they are in essence one.

Yes, romance and lust are holy. I know this concept may push against all things you’ve been taught, at least by the world. In fact, in the past, religion, especially Christianity, became crossed with worldly confusion to the point passion and sex were considered a taboo topic, even within matrimony. It still is an uncomfortable subject for many. This is why I’m writing this today. They are but a reflection of the passion and joy that lies within the unity of the Trinity.

Here’s a good place to discuss actual sexual immorality. I’m not going to describe what that encompasses for the sake of propriety (You can look that up easily in the Bible). However, I will state that immorality and sin are actions that cause harm, even if you can’t see it immediately. Sexual immorality is mainly harmful to the soul.

There is confusion concerning a separation between body and soul. That, actually, is a Greek philosophy, not a God idea, despite the fact that some churches have adopted the concept. Either the body was typically seen as the evil that the soul was fighting against or the body’s actions was seen as separate and, therefore, not affecting the soul. Both of those ideas are wrong.

As described by the Bible, there exists no duality in our being. We are a being of clay infused with God’s breath and spirit. When Jesus was resurrected, they didn’t find His body and then come across His soul in the street. His body was gone from the grave. Then, Jesus showed back up WITH His body when the disciples ran into Him later. This makes the idea of coming back to life even wilder. You see what you get, guys.

When you commit sexual immorality, you are committing it with your soul, your entire being. Likewise, when it says to treat your body as a temple for the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), that’s because treating your body well is also treating your soul well. Consider this: If you and your spouse “become one” (Mark 10:8) and you sin, aren’t you also sinning against your spouse? Interesting.

Aside from immorality, passion and romance is holy and an act of unity between two souls in love. It is what God intended for us to experience in marriage.

I wrote a poem while back that I’ll share with you today because it wraps this subject up well. Whether you take it to mean romantic passion or holy fervor is up to you. (Disclaimer: I write poetry for fun not perfection.)

**

I, your flame

I burn
I burn, a kindled fire
Out of control
Flames lick my arms
Travel up my legs
Escape from the top of my head
Like a torch, lighting up the dark night
This dark night
Our grim life
Yet I burn
and You, a wind, fuel my inner flame
You, a hurricane, sweep my inferno into the skies
The stars dim in the passion
I am utterly without shame now
You are my storm
I am your blaze
Caught up in the fury of your joy

**

Feminist Christian: An Oxymoron?

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You’ve possibly read the book “The Handmaiden’s Tale” or even watched the new show. It’s a sci-fi dystopian story about a futuristic U.S. which has become an overwhelmingly patriarchal society, deeming women as basically objects for procreation. It’s pretty disturbing, to say the least. The worst part of it isn’t really the men who carry out this crushing oppression, but the women who subject their own gender to those demeaning roles.

Watching the show (it’s been a while since I’ve read the book), I noticed how the camera would pan to things like churches or religious objects. It made me think, what does God have to do with misogynists? Do people think being a feminist Christian is an oxymoron?

Of course people think this of religion. Many people have not represented God very well in this aspect as they succumb to corruption and power-hungry domination.

It’s sad that people think of God as a misogynist because who said God was male? The Bible uses male pronouns as a way to indicate power and authority. The world is patriarchal. Language has adapted to that.

I personally don’t believe he’s either gender. He’s a being above procreation and so has no need for Earthly gender. Why would He hate or denigrate females? Ok, let’s look at the moment of creation, when humans were created.

“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

Let’s look at the Hebrew meanings of the words translated as helper and suitable, shall we?

Helper: Azar = help, further, ally, support, protect, restrain

Suitable: Nagad = in front of, in sight of, opposite to, comparable to as in mate

He needed a being “comparable” or equal to man. So, he created a woman. That’s right. The above verse is basically stating that women are equal to men. Notice also that he says it’s not good for men to be alone. That’s because we are made to be supported, love, and in community with others, just as God is in the Trinity. We are made in His image, after all. Together, men and women share life together.

So, equal means the same, right? Why not just make another man or something? Okay, no. Notice one way to translate the Hebrew word for “suitable” is “opposite to.” Another good word might be complementary. The strengths and weaknesses of each offset the strengths and weaknesses of the other. Women are physically weaker (generally) but mental gymnasts (multi-tasking and high pain tolerance for the win!). Men are mental marathoners (singular focus) with low pain tolerance (generally) but more physical prowess. There’s a lot more to our complementary features, and they differ from individual to individual.

So, they were equal companions, though different, in the Garden of Eden until everything fell apart. There are hints that their relationship was never the same either. Notice what God says as he throws them out of Eden:

“The LORD God said to the serpent,
‘Because you have done this,
Cursed are you more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you will go,
And dust you will eat
All the days of your life;
And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her seed;
He shall bruise you on the head,
And you shall bruise him on the heel.'”

This is BIG. The serpent is representative of evil and the fruits of evil. Although he harms Eve’s children (that is all of us), her seed will harm him. Yes, that would be Jesus. Please note that, although much of the Bible focuses on the male lineage and how father begat son, God focuses on Eve here. She is the beginning of the end for Satan, and Mary, another female, will physically bring that Hope into the world.

“To the woman He said,
‘I will greatly multiply
Your pain in childbirth,
In pain you will bring forth children;
Yet your desire will be for your husband,
And he will rule over you.'”

So, it seems that Adam’s authority over Eve wasn’t truly fleshed out in the garden. Now, women will be more focused on serving their husbands, and husbands will naturally stand in the dominant role. (Side note: Check out my last post on Marriage to read how marriage reflects the Trinity.)

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;
Cursed is the ground because of you;
In toil you will eat of it
All the days of your life.
“Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you;
And you will eat the plants of the field;
By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread,
Till you return to the ground,
Because from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.’
Now the man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.” Genesis 3:14-20

Now, men are the breadwinners for the household, which has held historically true. Adam was to give name to every being on Earth. So, he names her Eve, which is “khav-vaw” in Hebrew: life-giver. This has a double meaning that honors her and the hope she holds within her. She gives birth to the nations, sure. However, I believe he was also focused on the fact that she is the first of a line that leads directly to the true Life-Giver, Jesus. They were thrown out and are in the depths of despair, so it is at this moment Adam holds onto the hope God has given them: “…her seed; He shall bruise you (Satan) on the head.” God will turn their evil back to good again one day.

As time passed, there were many more notable females born to bear God’s legacy. Most of them, just like the men of the Bible, serve as examples of what God and His people stand for, but let’s look at the strongest women.

Ruth displayed a love and loyalty to her mother-in-law after their husbands’ deaths. She stated, “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” Ruth 1:16-17 This is a great example of how one can follow the unity of the Trinity even outside of marriage. Through her actions, she shows the loyalty and permanence that God also has for us, and she is brave though she doesn’t know where life may lead them next.

As mentioned in the post about submission, Esther, wife of King Ahasuerus and queen of Persia, secretly lived as a Jewish woman in a pagan court. When her blood-hungry husband was going to kill her people, she risked death by approaching him to fight for their lives. (Esther 4-5)

Hagar, an Egyptian servant, was neglected and abused for jealousy’s sake. Although she was abandoned to the wilderness just as she needed support the most, soon after having her son, Hagar held onto her faith and love of God, and He pulled her and her child through those difficult circumstances. (Genesis 16-21)

Mary Magdalene is a popular name; and although people state she was a prostitute, it never states that anywhere in the Bible. She was, however, financially secure and somewhat independent for her time period, and after Jesus had delivered her from possession of demons, Mary made sure to financially support Him and His ministry. She is also a main witnesses to Jesus as she was present during the crucifixion, burial, empty tomb, and Jesus, risen again from the grave. Her importance is undeniable. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

I believe Martha and Mary perfectly show two types of female disciples. Jesus visited them and their brother Lazarus in Bethany. They were both very faithful, but they were very different women. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to converse, just like the other male disciples, while Martha scurried around serving them dinner and making Him comfortable. They were both serving Him in different ways, and Jesus expressed his joy in them both. Some of us just aren’t domestic, and that’s ok. (Luke, John)

There are some verses people like to pull out in order to “prove” that the Bible is misogynist, but here’s a couple big ones:

“But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” 1 Timothy 2:12

“As in all the congregations of the saints, women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.” 1 Corinthians 14: 33-35

Yikes. But, wait. What about these verses?

“He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” Acts 18:26

If it isn’t clear enough, Priscilla is a female, and she taught Apollos along with her husband Aquila. Unconventionally, in a culture where men are in a place of authority, Priscilla’s name is mentioned before her husband’s. This may mean nothing or everything, but some sources state this means she was the more prominent teacher. Paul was very confident of the couple’s teaching capabilities as stated in 1 Cor. 16:19. He names them both as church leaders in Ephesus.

“I commend to your our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worth of his people and to give her any help she may need from you for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me .” Roman 16:1-2

Pheobe was in an important position of her church, and some believe she served in the same capacity as Paul, Apollos, Tychicus, and many others also mentioned in the Bible. The word “benefactor” is also translated as “presiding officer” in some Bibles.

How about Deborah, a prophetess, military warrior, and judge who held the greatest authority in Israel during her time. Plus, as one source states, “She is also one of the few judges of whom the Bible reports no failures.”* (Judges 4,5) She was not the only prophetess in the old or new testament. Consider Miriam who was sent alongside Moses and Aaron before the Pharaoh (Micah 6:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22 & 2 Chronicles 34) who fearlessly gives a grim prophesy to a king of whom she unceremoniously refers as “the man” instead of his title (“Tell the man who sent you to me”), Isaiah’s wife who gives birth to a son with an extra long name (Isaiah 8:3; Seriously, look it up.), Anna who bears witness to the baby Jesus, joyfully telling everyone of His birth (Luke 2:36-38), and the daughters of Phillip (Acts 21:8-9). A prophet or prophetess was not simply a “foreteller” as many think of them. They are people who speaks God’s truth to others, typically serving as both teacher and revelator with their especially close relationship to the Creator.

There are many mentions of females in leadership or teaching positions of churches and synagogues in the New Testament. It’s likely they allowed women to serve in those positions because of Jesus’ attitude toward female disciples. See the many instances female disciples are spoken as following Jesus throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Some travelled with Jesus and some stayed behind in their homes but still served Him. There were many names unmentioned, but here are those who were: Mary Magdelene, Mary Salome, Mary and Martha (What’s up with all the Marys?), The Three Marys (ha!), Joanna, Susanna, Priscilla, Tabitha, Lydia, Phoebe, Junia, Trypehna, Julia, Nympha, and Apphia. Many unnamed women also received the Holy Spirit during the Pentecost. Discipleship, if you’re unaware, is a student position that eventually leads to teaching. These females spread the gospel through TEACHING.

So, whatever that first verse meant (and there are many who disagree), it did NOT mean that ALL women couldn’t teach. Consider it may have had something to do with the place or circumstances of which we are unaware. If the author had something against all women teaching the gospel, it sure doesn’t mesh with the rest of their teachings. It’s important to understand that the Bible was written in a time of extreme patriarchy where people, even women, were less likely to listen to a female (who generally had no formal education like her male peers). They were called to not even give the appearance of wrong-doing so that others would be more likely to listen to God’s message through them. The females within the Bible and those who weren’t, whether teacher, deacon, prophetess, or simple disciple, sometimes had to fight twice as hard against the unholy culture of their time in order to be God’s light in the world.

If you ever hear that the Bible, God, or Christianity is misogynist or against females in any way, understand that the WORLD is against God and will lie in many ways to turn you against Him. Do not let them make you underestimate your place in God’s will or undermine the power He has placed within you. You are the hope of the world. Women, be the light and love, and shine bright.

Sources besides the Bible:
http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/did-priscilla-teach-apollos/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_disciples_of_Jesus

http://newlife.id.au/equality-and-gender-issues/did-priscilla-teach-apollos/

Marriage Part I: Beyond Mankind

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Marriage is a concept as ancient as time itself, but it’s been riding a rollercoaster of interpretation throughout humanity’s existence. Whether the institution has been used for prosperity, security, business-like partnership, procreation, romantic love, societal expectation, companionship, convenience, status, or alliance, it’s only ever meant one thing to God. Do you know what that would be?

If you say love, you aren’t wrong, but the kind of love you’re imagining may be skewed by worldly influence. You know what? Let’s start at the beginning, the very beginning, before mankind.

The Alpha and Omega: Even before the Father spoke to the Son about making people in Their image and the Holy Spirit hovered above a formless Earth, God has existed in three. No doubt, in making us in Their image, They also made us need one another. However, since we’re imperfect, we’re also great at fighting that fact. We pride ourselves for independence and pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps.

“Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:22-24

One flesh. They aren’t even two beings living their lives together because that could be a simple friendship. Marriage is two becoming one. Ideally, they are a unit, moving in tandem toward a single goal. I say ideally because we’re still imperfect, and therefore, everything we do is too.

“’Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.'” Matthew 19:4-6

Marriage is so unlike humanity, isn’t it? Throughout our history, we’ve been on the move from country to country, changing our society, our customs, our language, our technology, and our very principles. We’re never satisfied for long, and if left to our own devices, we go in circles from generation to generation, forever changing, sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. That “let no one separate” imparts a sense of permanency very rare in the world.

“For I am the Lord, I change not…” Malachi 3:6

“Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows.” James 1:17

That is why He’s our rock. We desperately need a solid place to hold onto in the moving sands of humanity. This sense of unity, unchanging loyalty, and inseparable love is what the Trinity wants His children to joyfully experience. Marriage is a symbol of the Trinity, born from His own state of existence.

This is a great place to mention divorce. Divorce is technically never good. The separation of any part of the Trinity is impossible, so any parting from that permanence and unity of that Godly love is not good. It’d be great if we could just never be harmful or abusive to one another and if loyalty and trust were forever for all marriages. This isn’t so. God would never want you to stay in a harmful environment. If you or your children are being abused in any way, separate yourselves from that evil. God is love, and He loves you. Besides separating from an abusive situation, the hard truth is that God only permits actual divorce in one situation:

“Jesus answered, “It was because of your hardness of heart that Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but it was not this way from the beginning. Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery.”His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.”“Not everyone can accept this word,” Jesus answered, “but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.'” Matthew 19:8-12

To me, He is essentially stating that, unless your spouse cheats, your “divorce” will potentially drive them to another partner (as we are all driven to companionship). Since God isn’t recognizing it as a true divorce, you potentially caused them to cheat on you. Also, you’re cheating on them if you move on. This is not to say you’re sinning forever. Once you’re married again, if you follow God’s ways on marriage with the new relationship, you are forgiven (as you always can be). Even Jesus’ disciples were shocked by this declaration, and Jesus basically told them if they didn’t like it, then they didn’t have to get married.

Marriage is not for everyone. Paul attested to the beauty of being a single follower of Christ in 1 Corinthians 7:7. Jesus said being unmarried in a good thing for some in Matthew 19:11. You can still get a sense of a Godly, solid partnership if use the same concept of the Trinity in other close relationships, particularly with believers.

As mentioned in the last post, submission also holds a large part in the structure of marriage, as it does in the Trinity. Marriage reflects, like a mirror, the Father (husband), the Son (wife), and the Holy Spirit (children). Submission is simply an act of servitude to others that all should follow, whether in authority or not. It’s an act of love and respect. Jesus is in submission to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is in submission to both. The Father, in turn, serves the other two in equal respect.

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:22-33

If you confused or angered by the idea of submission, please read my last post on submission, just for clarification on the subject. Even better, read the Bible, and study the relationship of the Trinity. It’s all good, and so submission and marriage is intended to be. In the above verse, the husband is to be held to the highest standard as he reflects the nature of the Father in the relationship, and as the Father utterly loves Jesus, so too should a husband act out of complete love for his wife.

Notice that Paul mentioned that marriage also reflects the hierarchy of love, submission, respect, and partnership of God and His people. A husband (whether or not the wife successfully serves him) is to nourish and sustain his wife in such a way that she thrives. A powerful woman is an asset and testament to a powerful man. In return (whether or not the husband successfully serves her), a wife is to be respectful to her husband, supporting him emotionally and spiritually. They are one, and if one falls, so too does the other.

If the partners and the good Lord decide that children are in their marriage plans, those children are Biblically called to be submissive to their parents (as is the Holy Spirit), serving in love and respect. In return, the parents need to act in love and respect as their authority figures while guiding their children’s actions.

This all may seem obvious and maybe a bit repetitive. I’m only mentioning these things because we’re all confused at times by life (I know I am), and we can get tangled in the mass of worldly marriage-how-to books and growing-children manuals. If you’re ever in a situation where you don’t know how to act with your partner or your child, remember the Trinity. You may be surprised how helpful that imagery is. God created it that way, after all.

***
Okay, so there’s more I want to say on marriage because there’s so much more to it within the Bible. I’m not sure if it’ll be my next post or not. Thank you for reading my blog! I have more in store for you next Saturday.

The Christian Dirty Word – Submission

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Even among many Christians, this Biblical word is cringe-worthy, anxiety-inducing, and angering: submission. In the good US of A, where we pride ourselves on independence and rebellion, the word conjures an idea of cowering in the face of authority and accepting our fate. For women and feminists everywhere, the word brings to mind The Stepford Wives and living solely for our men’s comfort and praise, pretending to be lesser beings.

Yet, invariably, although we may try to avoid it, someone will bring up this verse, usually twisting it for whatever purpose or point they’re trying to make:

“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” Ephesians 5:22-33

We’re lucky if they even mention that the verse afterwards is all about husbands loving their wives. Most of us hang, as if to a life raft, struggling to explain it’s not what they think, trying to keep our heads above the water before we drown in their disgust at our beliefs.

How about this verse?

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Romans 13:1

How can you be a feminist if you believe in the same Bible that tells us women to subjugate ourselves to even abusive men? How do you reconcile being a patriotic American and also a doormat to corrupt leaders?

You can’t, and you don’t. Submission doesn’t mean those things. Let’s see what it means to God and His followers who wrote those words.

If anyone could be called a rebel against corrupt leaders, it would be God. If anyone could be called a feminist, it would be God. How do I know?

In the book of Exodus, God poured down wrath on a pharaoh who enslaved His people. In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius of Mede did many evil things to his subjects, but Daniel and his friends refused to compromise to their demands on matters of faith, refusing their food and refusing to bow down and worship a human. Jesus stormed into the temple courtyard, yelling, overturning tables, and driving people out with a whip because of greedy and hypocritical leaders. He stood up in innumerable public places and risked his life to teach radical ideas that ran counter to what religious and political leaders were teaching. He rebuked and challenged those leaders to their faces.

As concerns both the power of a female and facing a corrupt authority figure, consider the story of Esther. She became the wife of King Ahasuerus and queen of Persia. Secretly, she was a Jew, and she found out the king was to kill her people. There was a law that anyone who came before the king unbidden would be instantly killed. She wasn’t bidden, but she came into his presence anyway to petition him for her people, thus becoming their hero at risk of her life.

Jesus had twelve main disciples, but many, many more followed his footsteps, including women. In His time, men were the only accepted students of Rabbis. However, Jesus taught women and accepted them in His travelling group of discipleship.

The stories of standing against corruption in leadership and illuminating the power of God’s female followers are many if you take the time to find them.

Then, what on Earth does God mean when He says we must submit? I’ll tell you that it doesn’t mean what the world means by submit. The world is overrun by corruption, power-hungry authorities, and people of all kinds who will run you over if you display any weakness.

God is certainly not a doormat, so if He wants you to be just like Him, do you think He’s asking you to be one?

So, what is submission to God? When in doubt, check out Jesus’ actions:

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:44-45

A servant puts others before him/herself and respects those around them. Jesus displayed this when He washed His disciples’ feet, an action only done by inferiors, not figures of authority.

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.'” John 13:12-17

Do you understand? He expressed, with his actions, how to be submissive. It’s interesting to note that submission shouldn’t only come from inferiors but from leaders as well. Here’s another verse:

“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

As followers or “inferiors” must submit to authority, authority figures must serve those below them. When you refuse to submit, to serve each other, as if you were above it all, you make yourself more inferior than anyone actually considered below you. This is not the worldly view nor is it the view the world wishes you to see God.

Okay, so what about women submitting to their husbands? I believe it is the same in many ways. Both spouses should submit to one another in the sense that they serve one another. Otherwise, as the authority figure in the household (Yes, the husband is indeed considered the authority in the hierarchy of a marriage. Hang with me for a moment.), the husband is not a good leader if he doesn’t know how to submit (see Jesus’ quote above about first being last). As concerns a man’s authority in a marriage, the institution of marriage is a God-created relationship. As humans, we are transient, easily straying, very distractible creatures. Marriage and family is a symbol of the trinity, the unity of the Father (husband), the Son (wife), and the Holy Spirit (children). As such, there is a component of hierarchy, but it means to portray the unity and inseparableness of the relationship of God, born in love and respect.

Let me add this as I feel compelled: The Father would never abuse Jesus nor the Holy Spirit. He is Love. A husband is supposed to be walking in the footsteps of Jesus in this respect. If a husband is abusive, the entire unit breaks down. Jesus died so we could live and lived so we could thrive in joy and freedom. I am under the strong belief that God would not want anyone to stay within a harmful environment. You can be respectful but strong, loving but leaving, forgiving but not forgetting. God loves you.

To submit to authority of any kind, you must understand that the ultimate authority is God. If any authority figure of any kind wishes for you to compromise your relationship with God, you are not only encouraged, you are under obligation to not obey or comply. As shown in the examples above and throughout the Bible, you are a servant to the King of Kings before all else. All of God’s children in the Bible and history in general refused to compromise their submission to Him.

So, to wrap up, submission is all about love, honor, respect, and living as Jesus would. God was never a doormat nor was he a woman-hater. Jesus is a rebel against all corruption even if it came from authority figures, protesting in love while remaining loud and strong. He is a true feminist. Although God has had to spread His message in many clearly anti-feminist environments (in the past and present), His message has always been empowering to women. Women was, is, and has always been considered equal to men in value. Don’t mix up the world’s message with God’s.

I initially planned to write a post about feminism and another separate one about marriage. However, I had to first write this one as confusion reigns when it comes to the concept of submission, and that concept is tied to both of those subjects. Stay tuned!

Noone is Good

/ EloquentMuse / Leave a comment

The dichotomy of good vs. evil: It’s an ancient idea, but you’ll hear many twists. The eastern world has the imagery of the yin yang. There’s no real good or evil but negative and positive forces which complement and complete the other. The modern, western world hates a simple good and bad; you may hear a lot about gray areas and how there’s good and bad in everyone. Question here is: What does the Bible actually say about good and evil? First, let’s start with a definition of good and evil, not from the dictionary but from the Bible.

What is goodness?

“And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18
*Good = Greek agathon = intrinsically good, whether it is seen to be so or not, the widest & most colorless of all words with this meaning.

“As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one.” Romans 3:10/Psalm 14:1-4
*Righteous = Greek dikahyos = equitable/innocent/holy

“And do not enter into judgment with your servant, For in your sight no man living is righteous.” Psalm 143:2
*Righteous = Hebrew tsadeq = to be right/clean/just/righteous/lawful/justified

“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” Ecclesiastes 7:20
*Good = Hebrew towb = beautiful, pleasant, agreeable to the sight, taste, smell etc.

The Hebrew and Greek translations of the words used vary little. The translations seem to point to fairness, innocence, clean, lawful, and pleasant beauty. However, if you look at the commandments and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, explaining the spirit of the laws, you can get a better taste of what it means to be good.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

So, goodness, holiness, and righteousness are summed up as love. If you love unconditionally, that is good; however, no one acts and speaks out of love unconditionally, perfectly for all of their life. Therefore, no one, including Christians, is good. “No one is good except God alone.” Mark10:18 What is love? Everyone knows the verse spoken at nearly every wedding:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love selflessly seeks the well-being, success, and ultimate joy of others. Sometimes, it’s not nice (read the New Testament to see Jesus wasn’t always nice!). However, it’s always KIND, and kindness is about what is best for the other person.

Now, what is evil?

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
*Evil=Greek kakos= bad/evil/inwardly foul/rotten

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
*Evil=Greek poneria= iniquity/pain-ridden evil/toil

“He went on: ‘What comes of out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immortality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23
*Evil=Greek kakos & Evils=Greek poneria (See Above)

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14
*Evil=Greek ra’= adversity/bad/disagreeable/misery

It appears to be the opposite of good, and that means evil is the opposite of love. That’s hatred, right? Not always. Sometimes, that’s apathy. If you seek constantly for the well-being of others, you can’t be also apathetic toward them.

This world is so full of bad news about evil, and our current technology and social media makes it possible to stream this bad news 24/7. Just this alone can make a person apathetic as we become deadened to the evil just for the sake of our own sanity. I think this verse says it best:

“Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Furthermore, as we can tell from the translations, evil tends to indicate adversity, pain, toil, misery, and rottenness. Evil is basically the absence of love; it is like the vacuum of space in which nothing can thrive.

Don’t buy into worldly definitions of our most basic beliefs. Let’s not muddy the waters and add confusion. God is quite clear on right and wrong, good and evil.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” 1 Corinthians 14:33

That is why He is known as a light in the darkness, He shines clarity on a chaotic world. His spirit brings health to our soul so our fruits (the product of our actions) will be good.

The dichotomy of good and evil is real. There is a real battle every day for your soul. Everyone doesn’t have good and bad in them; we are all bad without God. Holding onto Him as to a buoy in a storm, we hold onto His goodness and try to live life as He would, bringing hope to the world.

(Definitions are from Strong’s Concordance)