Eyes on Heaven - A Poem

If satan should come again and again
And beat me bloody, still
It would all be worth the death of sin
For in Christ I have my fill.

Dramatic endings matter not
When crossing into heaven,
Truly the fight of faith was fought
When victory’s strength was given.

So peacefully call me home, I pray,
And make me stronger yet,
Herd me with the sheep to stay
That I should not forget,

That You my Lord are all in all
The best that I could know,
And always upon You I will call
Until You bring me home.

So if I should die while not yet old
Please don’t cry for me,
For in His presence I am bold,
And freed from misery.

Longing for a Spouse with a Focus on God

Loneliness is perhaps on of the most deplorable human emotions. Loneliness itself is one of the factors that led God to give a spouse to Adam in the first place. “[…] God said, ‘it is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” (Gen. 2:18) So even in our design there is a healthy element within us that can and naturally does long for companionship. As a result many exist in this world emotionally longing for that deep satisfactory bond that can only be found in a good biblical marriage. Certainly, for most, the dream of marriage is inbred into our very core; especially in women who have dreamed about the details of their wedding day and their knight in shining armor since they were young girls. But though this desire can be an appropriately good thing, it is well advised to consider all of our longings through the prism of Scripture and to be able to balance the difference between a healthy longing for a spouse and a sinful preoccupation with that same desire.

To bolster the point that mankind is built to desire marriage: there was a study done a few years back that showed that out of those polled 86.3% of all people that had never been married desired to be so one day (Dr. Norval Glenn, “With This Ring… A National Survey on Marriage in America,” http://www.fatherhood.org/Document.Doc?id=137) Now there were some odd findings in the study such as 19.4% who claim no religion at all but only 8.3% don’t consider themselves religious. But that doesn’t detract from the fact that a vast majority of single people, men and women, are looking forward to marriage one day. A large chunk of those polled do not have the privilege of a godly perspective; this paper is to help those that do.

I have personally known people that looked for a spouse for years, well into middle age, and then in a panic jumped on the first person that would say yes and wound up in horrible marriages that undoubtedly failed to live up to either partner’s expectations. For women specifically, I have seen a tendency that once they start creeping towards their mid twenties they take on some warped view that they are old maids and how are they ever going to get married now? But with this, as with all things, the Bible leads the way; God is sovereign in providing us with a spouse as He is in all other things and to have a healthy view of this we must break away from self-imposed logic and societal expectations and see what God has left us in His word.

To Become Married or Remain Single?

Marriage is a good thing given to us by God and is everywhere commended as such in the Scriptures. But it is not the only option presented to us by the word of God, a fact too many aren’t even willing to consider. We can’t imagine in the midst of our desires and dreaming that our God could have other plans for us then the ones we have for ourselves. This is not a condemnation of marriage, but it is important for the single person with desires for marriage to at least consider the proposition that perhaps God has other plans for you. I wish to say that it is not the common experience that you will never be given a spouse by the Lord; but without considering that you are one of those blessed in another area other than marriage, you may never know.

The passage that will be the focus of our study is 1 Cor. 7:32-35. If you should so decide to study deeper into this passage you will find that vs. 33, 34 have some translational debate over the word divide or it is also translated there is a difference. But I see no reason to distract us with that consideration now as the heart of the passage is hardly affected either way, in my opinion, and after having read the opinions of a number of others in regards to this debate; but, just the same, if you find the two verses holding slightly different emphasis or wording this is the primary cause of the issue.

Next, there is an important reason why Paul is giving this direction. “The recurrence of the formula ‘now concerning…’ at 8:1, 12:1, 16:1 indicates that he is dealing in turn with the points they (the church in Corinth) had raised… The present chapter contains Paul’s counsel concerning various queries in connection with marriage and the home [such as]… ought a Christian to marry?” (Dr. Philip E. Hughes, The Biblical Expositor, I Corinthians, vol. 3, pg. 269) This is why we too are coming here. A young church struggling against the influence of the world they were a part of, yet who desired to be pious, asked these questions of the Apostle in order to know what was best for them in their lives and in service of God. Certainly the modern church can say they face the same uncertainties and assaults while living in the world and should be asking the same questions which are now clearly answered for us in the word of God.

1 Cor. 7:32-35, “I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”

¨ He returns to the advice which he had spoken of (vs. 25) but had not yet fully explained, and in the outset he pronounces… a commendation upon celibacy, and then afterwards allows everyone the liberty of choosing what he may consider to suit him best. It is not, however, without good reason that he returns so frequently to proclaim the advantages of celibacy, for he saw that the burdens of matrimony were far from light. The man who can exempt himself from them, ought not to refuse such a benefit and it is of advantage for those who resolve to marry, to be forewarned of those inconveniences, that they may not afterwards, on meeting with them unexpectedly, give way to despondency… The meaning is this: “Marriage brings along with it hindrances, from which I should wish you to be free and exempt…” Mark the kind of exemption from anxieties that he desires on behalf of Christians – that they may devote to the Lord all their thoughts and aims. This, he says, belongs to celibacy; and therefore he desires all to enjoy this liberty… Observe the Apostle’s moderation. Though he knew the vexations, troubles, and difficulties of the married life, and, on the other hand, the advantages of celibacy, yet he does not venture to prescribe… [rather,] taking into view their ability, he here declares in express terms, that he points out, indeed, what is most advantageous, but does not wish to impose a necessity on any one. And here you have two things worthy of observation. The first is, for what purpose celibacy is to be desired – not on its own account… but that we may cleave to God without distraction – that being the one thing that a Christian man ought exclusively to look to during his whole life. The second thing is, that no snare must be put upon men’s consciences, so as to keep back any one from marriage, but that every one must have liberty allowed him. (John Calvin, Commentary on 1 Corinthians)

¨ Take heed that neither lust nor rashness thrust you into a married condition before you see reasons to invite you to it as may assure you of the call and approval of God. For… it is God whom you must serve in your married state, and therefore it is proper that you take His counsel before you rush upon it, for He knows best what belongs to His service… If the consent of parents is necessary, much more is the consent of God… Every man is bound to choose that condition in which he may serve God with the best advantages and which tends most to his spiritual welfare and increase in holiness… By these conditions you may know what persons have a call from God to marry and who have not His call or approval. First, if there is a peremptory will or command of parents to children that are under their authority, and no greater matter on the contrary to hinder it, the command of parents signifies the command of God… Second, they are called to marry who have not the gift of continence and cannot by the use of lawful means attain it and have no impediment that makes it unlawful to them to marry (1 Cor. 7:9)… Third, another cause that warrants marriage is when upon a wise casting up of all accounts it is apparently most probable that in a married state one may be most serviceable to God and the public good, that there will be in it greater helps and fewer hindrances to the great ends of our lives: the glorifying of God and the saving of ourselves and others…. Here it must be carefully observed, first, that the two first reasons for marriages, sexual desire and the will of the parents, or any such like, have their strength but in subordination to the third, the final cause or interest of God and our salvation. This last reason… is of itself sufficient without any of the others, but none of the others are sufficient without this. If it is clear that in a married state you have better advantages for the service of God and doing good to others and saving your own souls than you can have in a single state of life, then it is undoubtedly your duty to marry; for our obligation to seek our ultimate end is the most constant, indispensable obligation. (Richard Baxter, “The Godly Home,” pp. 19-22)

¨ […] the reason why I have advised… a single rather than a married life, for those to whom God hath given the gift of continency, is, that those who are Christians might live as free from such cares as divide and distract men’s and women’s minds…, the single person that hath a spiritual heart, disposed to pious performances, being free from other distractions and cares, caused by worldly occasions, will spend all his thoughts about his duty toward God, and how to please Him… [H]usbands and wives are under some obligations to please each other by [various amusements], which, though not in themselves sinful, yet take up time, which those free from such relations may spend more religiously. (Matthew Poole, Commentary on 1 Corinthians)

Marriage is a beautiful thing given to mankind, for a variety of reasons, as a gift from the Lord; let’s not allow that fact to go unnoticed here. But let us also see that, if possible for the individual, being single is not only a gift from the Lord as well but a preferable one. Not many are able to forge this life alone, not many are able to free themselves from the burden of sexual desire, not many feel equipped to handle the burdens of this life by themselves; but, for those that can it is a blessed gift you have been given. How many of you that are struggling with the idea of marriage and the overwhelming desire you may be experiencing in your life towards that end have stopped to consider that the Lord may have given you this gift of single living that you may live with uninterrupted focus on Him? You must consider it, for it may indeed be your calling! That Puritan giant Richard Baxter gave some very good terms with which to test that against. And if you test this against your own life and find that you are able to confirm a calling to a single life then it is not a curse but a blessing as is clearly evidenced here by the Apostle Paul.

Now, as I have said, it is not the common gift or expectation that most men and women will be able to productively live outside of the confines of marriage. So, even if, upon testing the will of the Lord and spending some time in prayer over the matter, you are still convinced that your calling is in marriage, let not your heart be troubled by your current predicament. For right now, at this moment, the Lord is affording you the time to prepare yourself for the life to come. He is blessing you with a moment of your life wherein your primary focus is Him and you are not encumbered by other concerns. Be thankful for what He has given you now and wait patiently on what He will provide for you down the road. Don’t consume yourself with the details of how you will ever manage to meet a spouse and get married when you see no hope of such a reality right now. For we serve a sovereign Lord and He is not just in control of all other things with the exception of a spouse for you; but indeed, if He has determined you should be married, He has already selected the perfect mate for you and will in His time provide the means for you two to be together. Paul tells us in Romans 8:25 that “if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Be patient, trust in the Lord in this matter as with all others and take advantage of the time He has graciously given to you now. Simon Kistemaker, in his commentary on these verses, says that one of the focuses of the entire passage is that whether married or single we “must leave [our] worries with the Lord.” And I pray that it be so!

You may be called to be married or you may be called to be single; but, in whatever your calling, make sure your focus is on God and His glory. Trust in Him to show you the direction He has chosen for your life and that He will provide the means to make that direction happen. Wait patiently on the Lord; He knows what is best for you and what the best time to reveal it in your life undoubtedly is. You can obsess over the details and kick against the goads, you can force your will into the matter tired of waiting for a result; but be careful in such an instance that you don’t end up in the belly of a great fish being disciplined by the Lord. Consider this though, should you wait and submit yourselves to the Lord and His will alone, I can promise with no reservation that your life will blessed beyond expectation and it will all have been worth it in the end. If you are struggling here, I pray your burdens be lightened and your faith invigorated that you may know that the tunnel of despair always leads to bright sunshine when it is the Lord that directs your path. Amen.

Being Theologically Minded

This is an excerpt from "Biblical Theology" by Geerhardus Vos. In it he discusses the attitude of his time towards theology. As I read it I was convinced that like things can be said of our own time. He says,

"In the words of Thomas Aquinas, Theology 'is taught by God, teaches God, leads us to God.' After suffering much from the anti-intellectual and anti-doctrinal temper of our times, Theology is perhaps in somewhat better repute now than in [recent history]. This change of attitude is to be welcomed, even though it must be confessed that even in conservative Protestant circles Theology is still far from receiving the attention and respect which, as the knowledge of God, it ought to have."

Now I readily confess that this is not true in Christianity in general. But I do see an element of this coming to light in the Reformed church. More and more people are leaving their blissful ignorance behind and seeking a deeper understanding of God and what He has revealed to us in His word. Undoubtedly it will be clear that we may only be in the infant stage of such an appreciation for theology, but we are seeing evidence that among Reformed men there is a push to return to our theological roots. Vos goes on to speak as to what theology is and in his description also provides us with proper motivation to study Theology.

"According to its etymology, Theology is the science concerning God. Other definitions are either misleading, or, when closely examined, are found to lead to the same result. As a frequent instance, the definition of Theology as the 'science of religion' may be examined. If in this definition 'religion' be understood subjectively, as meaning the sum-total of religious phenomena or experiences in man, then it is already included in that part of the science of anthropology which deals with the physical life of man. It deals with man, not with God. If, on the other hand, religion be understood objectively, as the religion which is normal and of obligation for man because prescribed by God, then the further question must arise, why God demands precisely this and no other religion; and the answer to this can be found only in the nature and will of God; therefore ultimately, in thus dealing with religion, we shall find ourselves dealing with God.

From the definition of Theology as the science concerning God follows the necessity of its being based on revelation... All spiritual life is by its very nature a hidden life, a life shut up in itself. Such a life we can only know through revelation... The inward hidden content of God's mind can become the possession of man only through a voluntary disclosure on God's part. God must come to us before we can go to Him... He is a Being infinitely exalted above our highest conception... This emphasizes the necessity of God's opening up to us the mystery of His nature before we can acquire any knowledge concerning Him.

Still a further reason for the necessity of revelation preceding all satisfactory acquaintance with God is drawn from the abnormal state in which man exists through sin. Sin has deranged the original relation between God and man. It has produced a separation where previously perfect communion prevailed. From the nature of the case every step towards rectifying this abnormality must spring from God's sovereign initiative. This particular aspect, therefore, of the indispensableness of revelation stands or falls with the recognition of the fact of sin."

So then, Theology is God's revealing Himself to us and our studying of that revelation is a result of a merciful God condescending to the elect that we may know who He is, what He requires and, where possible, why that is. Theology, which has been so criticized in shallow Christian circles as too complex and cumbersome, is actually an act of divine love and a part of His redemptive plan for mankind that we may return to the harmonious communion we had with Him before sin had created a chasm between us. With that understanding, may an appreciation for Theology, and the study of it, be ever more prevalent in the Church today.

Pr. 29:18, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law."