Fruitful Obedience: Why Christian Couples Should Welcome as Many Children as God Permits
I want to talk plainly today about a conviction that’s rooted in Scripture, and the early Church. It’s this: Christian couples should joyfully embrace as many children as God permits, not out of legalism, but as faithful gratitude for His design and gifts.
Why Children Are Blessings (Not Burdens)
Go back to Genesis 1:28, God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.” That wasn’t a cultural suggestion—it came straight from the Maker of heaven and earth. Children aren’t a burden. They are blessings, wrapped in promise.
And again, Psalm 127:3–5: “Children are a heritage from the Lord… blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.” David saw children as spiritual arrows—heirs of the faith, contributors to God’s mission. That’s how we ought to view them.
Jesus said in Matthew 6 not to worry over daily needs. Our calling to obey, trust, and walk by faith comes first. Stewardship is biblical—but faith in God’s provision must shape our decisions.
What the Early Church Told Us
The early Christians didn’t think twice about rejecting contraception, abortion, and the like. They believed marriage existed to produce life.
Athenagoras, writing around 177 AD, bluntly rejected birth control methods and argued Christians “marry only to produce children.”
The Didache (c. 1st/2nd century) commands: “You shall not kill the child by abortion, nor kill that which is born.” It underlines sanctity, conviction, and openness to life.
Clement of Alexandria warns against marrying merely for pleasure, apart from procreation.
These voices remind us that early Church letters saw procreation as inseparable from Christian marriage—not optional, not incidental, and not merely biological.
Augustine: Children, Marriage, and the Gospel
Augustine (354–430 AD) is crystal clear: in De Bono Coniugali, he holds up three goods of marriage—offspring, fidelity, and sacrament. Yet “offspring” is first among equals. Marriage without openness to life, he argued, is a distortion.
He wrote in On Marriage and Concupiscence: “Intercourse even with a lawful wife is unlawful… where the conception of the offspring is prevented.” Augustine isn’t just talking biology—he’s affirming childbearing as divine involvement, vocation, and gospel stewardship.
Raising children isn’t optional. It’s participatory discipleship—shaping souls in the faith, training them in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), and building up the City of God.
John Calvin: Covenant, Providence, and Children
Jump forward to the Reformation. Calvin picks up these themes—in his Genesis Commentary, he reiterates that God intended marriage as the means to multiply humankind.
In Institutes 2.8.41, he offers a pointed critique: those who “refuse to receive the children that God gives them” are smothering grace, resisting providence, and placing self above God’s wisdom. For Calvin, rejecting children is often rooted in fear, pride, or comfort—not trust in God.
He frames children covenantally. God’s promise to Abraham—“I will be your God, and the God of your descendants” (Genesis 17:7)—is foundational. To refuse children is, in a sense, to shrink back from the continuation of God’s promise and blessing.
On Trust, Not Obligation
Some might say: “But what about modern concerns—world overpopulation, financial strain, or environmental issues?” In many ways the world is different, but in the most important ways, it is still the same. Truth is true, whether we like it or not. The world doesn’t need less people. It needs more! The principle holds: God calls us to fruitfulness, and then to trust His provision.
Perhaps you struggle with infertility—that grief is real. Maybe your health, age, or resources are limited. I’m not saying Christian couples owe the world a big family at all costs, but if God opens the door, we shouldn’t slam it shut out of fear, pride, or a desire for personal comfort.
Paul said, “God will supply your every need according to His riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Obedience is rarely convenient, but more often, it is faithful.
How This Plays Out in Marriage
To live this out is to shift mindset:
Children cease being inconveniences, becoming arrows in your quiver.
Every baby is a covenant heir—a soul to nurture in Christ.
Your marriage rejoices in faith over fear, depending on God more than calculators.
This isn’t a glib “more is always better” bumper sticker. It is a gospel call to trust Him, take Him at His Word, and see children as gifts, not burdens.
Final Word
So church-families, listen up: from Genesis, through Athenagoras, Clement, Augustine, and Calvin, the tradition is clear. Openness to life is part of loving God, trusting His plan, and obeying His Word. Children are not obstacles. They are opportunities.
If God grants you life, welcome it. If God has withheld, trust His sovereignty. And if you’re struggling in that in-between, know the Lord sees, hears, and cares.
May Christian marriages, energized by the gospel, be marked by joyful fruitfulness. May our quivers be full. May our trust be firm. And may our families echo His faithfulness, generation after generation.
Key Biblical Anchors
Genesis 1:28; Psalm 127:3–5; Matthew 6:25–33; Ephesians 6:4
Early Church Witness
Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians (~177 AD); Didache 2:2; Clement of Alexandria, Paedagogus
I’m currently frustrated with all arguments I’m encountering from people supporting the Hebrew Roots Movement, and Messianic Judaism. I understand that these two groups may not want to be grouped together, but I really can’t see why I shouldn’t. Messianic Judaism sounds like an oxymoron to me. If you are in Christ, just call yourself a Christian already. From what I gather, to be a Messianic Jew, you need to be born an ethnic Jew, and then come to believe that Jesus was, and is the Messiah. Ok, fine, but why do they continue to practice their faith as if they had never been converted? Just drop all of the Old Testament practices, and be united to the other New Covenant believers. Paul had quite a bit against Peter when Peter gave in to the Judaizers.
Then there are the even whackier Hebrew Roots Movement hacks. Some of the Hebrew Roots Movement people have even cited Stephen’s sermon to the Jews who martyred him, including Saul at the time, as proof of their doctrinal stances. This one thing by itself blows my mind because it is such an obvious sermon against them. Anyhow, I thought it might be helpful to post a few sections of scripture with plenty of surrounding context, so you could read them, and hopefully figure it out. Let’s not put ourselves under the Old Covenant, or try to somehow get closer to God, or feel more spiritual, by imposing the traditions of the Old Covenant ancient Jewish people on ourselves, or others. We also don’t need to use broken, hacked up, ignorant idiots play-time Hebrew for dummies. Stop with, “You gots to call Jesus by His Jewish name, or you’re not a believer!!!” You sound like a JW telling people they have to use, “Jehovah” which isn’t even in the text. It was a translation convention created a long time ago to express the tetragrammaton by adding vowels from adonai to YHWH. We are under a New Covenant people. Jesus is our Savior, High Priest, and King. Please keep in mind, I don’t hate Jewish people for being Jewish. I’m simply frustrated by people’s desire to get back under the law, and self-righteousness.
Galatians 2:11 – 5:26 (LSB Strong’s) Paul Opposes Peter (Cephas) 11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles, but when they came, he began to shrink back and separate himself, fearing the party of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before everyone, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? 15 “We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. 17 But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! 18 For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. 19 For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” The Righteous Shall Live by Faith 1 O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to learn from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things for nothing—if indeed it was for nothing? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6 Just as Abraham BELIEVED GOD AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS, 7 so know that those who are of faith, those are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse, for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident, for “THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; rather, “HE WHO DOES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The Promise by Faith 15 Brothers, I speak in human terms: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And TO YOUR SEED,” that is, Christ. 17 And what I am saying is this: the Law, which came 430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to abolish the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is by law, it is no longer by promise, but God has granted it to Abraham through promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of trespasses, having been ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made. 20 Now a mediator is not for one person only, whereas God is one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed be by law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were held in custody under the Law, being shut up for the coming faith to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor unto Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise. Sonship in Christ 1 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, 2 but he is under guardians and stewards until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were children, were enslaved under the elemental things of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. 9 But now, having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you want to be enslaved all over again? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you for nothing. 12 I beg of you, brothers, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong. 13 But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I proclaimed the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They zealously seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will zealously seek them. 18 But it is good always to be zealously sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, because I am perplexed about you. An Allegory of Two Covenants 21 Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the Law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman. 23 But the son by the servant-woman had been born according to the flesh, while the son by the free woman through the promise. 24 This is spoken with allegory, for these women are two covenants: one from Mount Sinai bearing children into slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 27 For it is written, “REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT GIVE BIRTH; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE ONE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND.” 28 And you brothers, in accordance with Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh was persecuting him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say? “CAST OUT THE SERVANT-WOMAN AND HER SON, FOR THE SON OF THE SERVANT-WOMAN SHALL NOT BE AN HEIR WITH THE SON OF THE FREE WOMAN.” 31 So then, brothers, we are not children of a servant-woman, but of the free woman. Christ Set Us Free 1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have fallen from grace! 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. But the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are upsetting you would even mutilate themselves. 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. Walk by the Spirit 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become those with vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.
Acts 6:8 – 8:3 (LSB Strong’s) Stephen Accused of Blasphemy 8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and were arguing with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to oppose the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they came up to him, dragged him away, and brought him to the Sanhedrin. 13 And they put forward false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases speaking words against this holy place and the Law; 14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and alter the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And fixing their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face like the face of an angel. Stephen’s Defense 1 And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 And he said, “Hear me, brothers and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and said to him, ‘LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR RELATIVES, AND COME INTO THE LAND THAT I WILL SHOW YOU.’ 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. 5 But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and He promised that HE WOULD GIVE IT TO HIM AS A POSSESSION, AND TO HIS SEED AFTER HIM, even when he had no child. 6 But God spoke in this way, that his SEED WOULD BE SOJOURNERS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS. 7 ‘AND I MYSELF WILL JUDGE THE NATION TO WHICH THEY WILL BE ENSLAVED,’ said God, ‘AND AFTER THAT THEY WILL COME OUT AND SERVE ME IN THIS PLACE.’ 8 And He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham was the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac was the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. 9 “And the patriarchs, becoming jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his household. 11 “Now a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13 And on the second visit Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family was disclosed to Pharaoh. 14 Then Joseph sent word and invited Jacob his father and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went down to Egypt and there he and our fathers died. 16 And from there they were removed to Shechem and placed in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17 “But as the time of the promise was drawing near which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until ANOTHER KING AROSE OVER EGYPT WHO DID NOT KNOW ABOUT JOSEPH. 19 It was he who deceitfully took advantage of our family and mistreated our fathers to set their infants outside so that they would not survive. 20 It was at this time that Moses was born, and he was lovely in the sight of God, and he was nurtured three months in his father’s home. 21 And after he had been set outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22 And Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in words and deeds. 23 But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended him and took justice for the oppressed by striking down the Egyptian. 25 And he supposed that his brothers understood that God was granting them salvation through him, but they did not understand. 26 On the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting together, and he tried to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers, why are you treating one another unjustly?’ 27 But the one who was treating his neighbor unjustly pushed him away, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND JUDGE OVER US? 28 DO YOU INTEND TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN YESTERDAY?’ 29 At this remark, MOSES FLED AND BECAME A SOJOURNER IN THE LAND OF MIDIAN, where he was the father of two sons. 30 “And after forty years had passed, AN ANGEL APPEARED TO HIM IN THE WILDERNESS OF MOUNT Sinai, IN THE FLAME OF A BURNING BUSH. 31 When Moses saw it, he was marveling at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 ‘I AM THE GOD OF YOUR FATHERS, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB.’ Moses trembled with fear and would not dare to look. 33 BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM, ‘REMOVE THE SANDALS FROM YOUR FEET, FOR THE PLACE ON WHICH YOU ARE STANDING IS HOLY GROUND. 34 I HAVE SURELY SEEN THE OPPRESSION OF MY PEOPLE IN EGYPT AND HAVE HEARD THEIR GROANS, AND I HAVE COME DOWN TO DELIVER THEM; COME NOW, AND I WILL SEND YOU TO EGYPT.’ 35 “This Moses whom they disowned, saying, ‘WHO MADE YOU A RULER AND A JUDGE?’ is the one whom God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the help of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, doing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘GOD WILL RAISE UP FOR YOU A PROPHET LIKE ME FROM YOUR BROTHERS.’ 38 This is the one who, in the congregation in the wilderness, was with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai and with our fathers; the one who received living oracles to pass on to you. 39 Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40 SAYING TO AARON, ‘MAKE FOR US GODS WHO WILL GO BEFORE US; FOR THIS MOSES WHO LED US OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT—WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAS BECOME OF HIM.’ 41 At that time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘DID YOU PRESENT ME WITH SLAIN BEASTS AND SACRIFICES FORTY YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL? 43 YOU ALSO TOOK ALONG THE TABERNACLE OF MOLOCH AND THE STAR OF THE GOD ROMPHA, THE IMAGES WHICH YOU MADE TO WORSHIP. I ALSO WILL REMOVE YOU BEYOND BABYLON.’ 44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He, who spoke to Moses, directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 45 And having received it in their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations whom God drove out before our fathers, until the time of David. 46 David found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built a house for Him. 48 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands, as the prophet says: 49 ‘HEAVEN IS MY THRONE, AND EARTH IS THE FOOTSTOOL OF MY FEET. WHAT KIND OF HOUSE WILL YOU BUILD FOR ME?’ says the Lord, ‘OR WHAT PLACE IS THERE FOR MY REST? 50 WAS IT NOT MY HAND WHICH MADE ALL THESE THINGS?’ 51 “You men—stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears—are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. 52 And which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; 53 you who received the Law as ordained by angels, and yet did not observe it.” Stephen Is Stoned to Death 54 Now when they heard this, they became furious in their hearts, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But crying out with a loud voice, they covered their ears and rushed at him with one accord. 58 And when they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he was calling out and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And having said this, he fell asleep. Saul Persecutes the Church 1 Now Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And some devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them into prison.
Hebrews 8:1 – 10:25 (LSB Strong’s) Jesus, High Priest of a New Covenant 1 Now the main point in what is being said is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a minister in the holy places and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.” 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. 8 For finding fault with them, He says, “BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL COMPLETE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH; 9 NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD. 10 FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND UPON THEIR HEARTS I WILL WRITE THEM. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 11 AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN, AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’ FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM. 12 FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES, AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.” 13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. The Old Covenant 1 Now even the first covenant had requirements of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle prepared: the first part, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread, which is called the holy place. 3 And behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 And above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the first part of the tabernacle performing the divine worship, 7 but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. 8 The Holy Spirit is indicating this, that the way into the holy places has not yet been manifested while that first part of the tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, requirements for the body imposed until a time of reformation. The New Covenant 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy places once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the trespasses that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “THIS IS THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHICH GOD COMMANDED YOU.” 21 And in the same way, both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry he sprinkled with the blood. 22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. 23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter holy places made with hands, mere copies of the true ones, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; 25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy places year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All 1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have consciousness of sins? 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; 6 IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE. 7 THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME, IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME, TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.’” 8 After saying above, “SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU TAKEN PLEASURE in them” (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He said, “BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL.” He takes away the first in order to establish the second. 10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, 13 waiting from that time UNTIL HIS ENEMIES ARE PUT AS A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16 “THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND ON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,” He then says, 17 “AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” 18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. A New and Living Way 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
If you live in the U.S. no doubt you have heard something about the scary bogeyman nebulously known as, “White Nationalism.” As a Christian, who is ethnically diverse, but appears white, I am just now hearing about this scary bogeyman. The left is even calling, “people of color” white nationalists. This really got me wondering. So, I decided to do some digging.
Depending on whose definition you want to accept, the term, “white nationalist” generally means one of two things. It can be a racist ideology that indicates a right of white people to live in their own country, and govern themselves, without any people of color. The other version is about the same but is worded a bit more to sound like they are separatists instead of supremacists.
What is also interesting is that there is the same ideology for people who would call themselves black. It is called, “Black Nationalism” of course. They define their ideology the same way only black instead of white.
Now, as a Christian first, these things are repulsive to me. As a thinking man, they are repugnant lies, told by evil people seeking to manipulate others with fear. The notion that any sinner is inherently better than another sinner solely based on the color of their skin, or ethnicity is a lie straight from the devil to incite hatred among men.
After reading several articles from leftist web sites, I’ve concluded that everyone who is a conservative and patriotic is deemed a white nationalist. This is also true of people of color. They are being called white nationalists, and white supremacists! This is either insanity on the part of the leftists, or a divisive lie used as a bogeyman to scare people into submission.
The leftists have presupposed that everyone who is Christian, conservative, patriotic, and traditional is a white supremacist and a white nationalist. Their evidence is your opposition to them, and their leftist agendas. Anyone who stands in their way is instantly vilified.
Since they are using these labels so broadly, people can see through their crazy lies. When you try to make Candace Owens, a black woman, appear to be like Hitler, and make her out to be a white supremacist, you will cause thinking people to see that you are either insane, or a liar.
We aren’t even free of their insanity in the Church. The, “Woke Movement” questions if white people can even really be Christians. They insist that we owe our brothers and sister in Christ, who happen to be people of color, an apology, and that we need to repent of being white.
Like I said, I look white. I have a white last name. My ancestry is from mostly Eastern, and Western Europe. Some of my ancestry is from Turkey, Iran, Israel, and Nigeria according to my DNA test. I’m guessing that would be true of many of you. There is no pure white race. There is not a homogenous, “white people.” This is also true of all the other perceived colors of people. My whiteness, your blackness, brownness, and all the other shades in between are all pointless. This is true whether you are in Christ or not, but for the Christian there is no excuse to be racially/ethnically divisive. The Bible is clear on this.
Galatians three is about how one is justified to God. There were some who were making it a matter of following the Law, and Paul was clearing this up. In the process he wanted the people of the circumcision, and the gentiles to put these notions of works out of their minds, and be unified in their acceptance of justification by faith in Christ. In verse 28 of Chapter 3 Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Christians have no excuse to be at odds due to skin color. The world might be falling for this nonsense, but we have no business following the world.
If you have been finding yourself falling into the temptation to think that you are better than someone due to your skin color, or that it is acceptable to hate someone because of theirs, or even if you have been hating yourself because of your whiteness, you need to repent, and trust Jesus.
Let’s be civil, and act as mature people in Christ while dealing with the lost. Remember, the people who have modern leftists ideals are not your enemy. It is the power behind them, pulling their strings. That is why our Lord, and His apostles, when they were killed, could ask God to forgive their murderers, due to their ignorance. We are dealing with a group of people who are unable to recognize truth, reason, love, and who are enslaved to sin, their master. They are children of their father, satan. According to Romans 1, their minds are debased, and unable to reason. Pray for the miracle of regeneration to happen to them, that they would be born again, and that they would repent of their sins, and trust solely in Jesus’ work on the cross for their justification.
The problem with the Hindu idea of karma is that it relies on some universal force without intellect, or reason, that isn’t a person, to keep track of all the wrongs every person does, and then dole out justice. We seem to readily accept this notion, but rule out the Biblical standard of, “You reap what you sow.” In this notion, there is an all knowing, all powerful, perfectly intelligent, flawlessly reasonable, perfectly just and righteous judge, who knows every sin, of every person, and then uses those people in their sinfulness, to accomplish His will. We know from reading the Old Testament, that when Israel sinned, God would punish them by using a sinful pagan nation to come in and militarily defeat them, or enslave them. This was God using sinners to punish sinners in His sovereign will. This would cause Israel to see their sin, because they believed in Him and knew that they were being disciplined for their sins against Him. They would then repent, and turn back to Him. When we are being disciplined for sin, we should do the same thing. Repent of our sins, turn to Christ, and believe on Him and His work on the cross to justify us to God. We should not trust in our goodness, which is actually not goodness at all when compared to the perfect goodness of God, but rather it is sinful unrighteousness. We need to give up on karma, which is a Hindu belief, and trust in the One true and living God, Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6:6-10 (NASB)
” 6The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
Years ago I was a Fox News Christian. My political ideology took precedence over my theology. In other words, I cared more about being conservative, than I did about Christ, and the will of God. I also saw conspiracies all over the place. It seemed to me that there was a world government that controlled all of the governments of the civilized world. I thought that the world government was comprised of the ultra-rich and influential. I haven’t really changed my mind about that. I do think that the enemy has his minions running a satanic plan. What has changed is that I no longer think it is possible to fix the problems via politics. I also think that the enemy can only do what sovereign God allows. I believe with all my heart, all that matters now, is to preach the gospel to the lost and perishing world. I read something from Isaiah today that brought this to mind.
Isa 8:11 — Isa 8:16 For thus the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’ In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy, And you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. “It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. “Then He shall become a sanctuary; But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over, And a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. “Many will stumble over them, Then they will fall and be broken; They will even be snared and caught.” Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
Of course, I’m not encouraging you to take this section out of context. It is obviously a prophecy from God to Israel, through Isaiah. I get that. The Israelites were suspicious of the true prophets of God. They didn’t like the warnings they gave them. They were relying on their allegiances with pagan nations, they were hoping on pragmatic security and not God. Relying on our own feeble abilities and righteousness keeps us from God the same way that it kept many of the Israelites from Jesus when he came. This also reminds me that living in fear of what could happen, and what the government will do to us, is not honoring to God. God is the one who we should fear. He is the one who we should concern ourselves with. We should seek his glory. The true hope of the world is not electing the right politicians, it is the wonderful gospel of Jesus. Only the transforming work of God can change the hearts of sinful men, and reform the reprobate heart. So we preach repentance of sins, and faith in the work of Christ on the cross, to justify men to God, and save their souls from the flames of Hell.
I requested a review copy quite some time ago, and was refused. This is why it has taken a while for me to do a review of this Bible. Recently I purchased a copy, at my own expense for the purpose of review. I was curious about this Bible because of the title. I am a Reformed Baptist. I hold to reformed soteriology. Since I affirm believer’s baptism, or credal baptism, I cannot be said to have Reformed theology proper, as that would include infant baptism, or paedo-baptism along with some other theological distinctions.
This Bible came shipped by Amazon in a cardboard box with no padding. One of the corners of the retail clamshell box was dented. The Bible inside was undamaged. When I first examined the Bible I didn’t notice that some of the pages were folded under and failed to be trimmed with the text block. I had to trim them myself with an exacto knife. I contacted Reformation Heritage by e-mail. It has been several weeks without a response. I was waiting to do the review because part of my e-mail had to do with questions about this Bible’s manufacture. I wouldn’t let their failure to respond stop you from purchasing this Bible.
This edition has a genuine cowhide leather cover and not pigskin leather. On the front cover, “Holy Bible” is hot stamped in gold color foil. The texture of the leather seems to be natural and comfortable to hold. this is a case bound Bible.
It is not as high grade as some, but far exceeds many lesser quality covers on Bibles in the same price range. This Bible lists for about $80.00, but I purchased it on sale for $55.88 from Amazon. You would be hard pressed to find a study Bible with all of the features this Bible has for the same price. We are talking about an American printed and bound Bible with smyth-sewn spine, cowhide leather cover, unique study notes, creeds and confessions, notes on family application, and numerous articles in back along with a concise concordance and maps.
This Bible is only available in the King James Version. (KJV) It is a verse format, double column, layout with notes at the bottom of the page.
Before each book is an introduction and outline of the book.
A sharply printed and uniformly inked 9.8 pt. Minion Font is used for the text of the Bible, and 8 pt. Myriad SemiCondensed Font for the notes is employed.
The page margins are pretty small, so you won’t be making many notations in them. The page edges are gold gilt. The corners are rounded, the spine is not.
Since this Bible employs a sewn binding it lays flat without having to fight the binding or cover. It is pretty flexible.
There are gold and burgundy head and tail bands as well as two narrow yet, substantial black ribbons.
The ribbons are both fixed in the spine at the same place making them a bit awkward compared to others that are glued in differently.
I truly like the paper used for the presentation/records section in the front and the maps in the back. RHB made the best decision of not using the glossy papers that crack. Instead they went with a thicker matte paper that will last a long time.
I would have liked to see a thicker, more opaque paper employed, however, to include all of the features in one volume without making it a behemoth like the ESV study Bible, I can understand why the chose the paper they did. Don’t misunderstand me, the paper isn’t bad. It is just a little less opaque than I would like. Ghosting isn’t bad at all and it appears that line matching was employed. For the money, there aren’t many full study Bibles on the market that could compete with this one. I highly recommend this Bible if you are a fan of the KJV, and historic creeds and confessions. It is an all around solid study Bible. Here is a link to the publisher’s page for this edition.Here is a link to this edition on Amazon. Finally, here is a link to this Bible on Christianbook.
Don’t forget to visit my flickr album of all the pictures I took of this Bible.
Our lives will end. The time we have, we are spending. It is up to us how we spend it, but once it is gone we cannot get it back. We can spend it being angry, sad, or hurt by our loved ones, or we can love them more than being angry, sad, or hurt. Nonetheless, the time will be gone and we will be remembered. If God is our master, wash the feet, endure the suffering. Jesus left the majesty of Heaven, to seek and save the lost. He washed the feet of sinful men whose sins He would suffer for on the cross. Our sins, on the cross of His suffering. Surely our loved ones have sinned and hurt us. We have sinned and hurt Jesus. What is our suffering compared to His? Forgive the broken sinful people in our lives, and love them more than we love our own anger, sadness, hurt, pain, and being victims. We are more than that, through Christ we are conquerors. He has won the victory in the war. Dear Christians, just keep fighting the battles. When we fall to the enemy’s tactics, remember Jesus. Repent, and get back in the fight against sin. We must give grace and mercy to our loved ones and all people who hurt us or make us feel like victims. Our time will be well spent, loving well.
1 Peter 4 (NASB) 1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Share the Sufferings of Christ 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
So, you are a modern woman, and you have heard, perhaps even said, “I can do what I want! You don’t own me! I don’t need a man!” Well, if you are Christian woman, you should eschew such ignorant, godless, rhetoric. It is prideful and selfish. Very unbecoming of a Christian man or woman. I am so sick of how the world has been portraying husbands and wives. Let’s not allow the culture to define us. Let’s be defined by God’s word.
Imagine a man who claims to be Christian, and won’t submit to God’s word. Instead of doing what God has commanded, he does what he wants. Is that a man who is at war with his sinful flesh, or is that a man who is giving into his flesh?
Imagine a man who claims that nobody has ownership of him. We know that is wrong. God tells us in His word that our bodies do not belong to us. A husband’s body belongs to his wife. A wife’s body belongs also to her husband, but God owns them both. They are His creatures. The ones who die in rebellion, will burn forever in Hell. He will pour out His righteous wrath on them for eternity.
Imagine now, an arrogant, prideful, man exclaiming that he doesn’t need a woman. That man is calling God a liar. Why, the very first book in God’s word explains why He made Eve. It was because it was not good for man to be alone. God made for him a helpmate. Everyone knows that men need women. If we are to be fruitful and multiply it is obvious. So, to subdue the Earth, we must have wives and they must have husbands.
Modern notions of gender are so diabolically satanic. They defile, degrade, and mock what God has made for our good and His glory. The enemy loves it every time a feminist howls in rebellion, every time a man becomes a selfish boy. We need to embrace our roles as God has defined and ordained them to be. We should reject what culture says. The cultural hermeneutic says, “The verses in the Bible that tell a woman to submit to her husband, the verses that say a woman should not teach or have authority over a man, the verses that tell men to support their families, to be the spiritual leaders of their homes and Churches, the word of God that tells us how to live as godly men and women should not be applied as God intended because modern culture’s consensus is superior.” Well, last time I checked, we don’t ask culture to explain God to us, we read His words and hear straight from God Himself in the reading of it. I don’t have to consult the latest social pundits. God has spoken, and He has done so with the ultimate authority that entails.
Want to know why your marriage doesn’t work? Want to know why you are miserable in your Church? Want to know why your children run your home? Simple, you have forsaken God’s will as expressed in His word. Rebels and scoundrels, each and every one of us! Repent and believe the word of God and live to please the Savior who has bled and suffered for you on the cross of His crucifixion. Christ submitted to the will of the Father to cleanse for Himself a bride. That bride is the Church. It submits to Christ. Submit yourselves to His headship as Lord and master of your lives. This means even unto death. We must love our wives as Christ loved the Church. Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. We did not deserve His love or sacrifice. We were, by nature His enemies, and He died to save us. Men, love your wives when they don’t deserve it. Women love your husbands when they don’t deserve it. Men, submit to Christ. Women, submit to your husbands, not because he says to, but because the one, true, living God, almighty says to!
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
[Ephesians 5:22-33 KJV]
Husband, head, protector, provider. Not what T.V. says, not what the movies show.
The world is crazy. People are unstable, and unreliable. They are selfish, and self-centered. They don’t care what other people need. They don’t care about other people’s feelings. They only think about their own problems, and their own feelings. They don’t believe in loving other people more than they love themselves. They don’t believe it is healthy to do so. They don’t love Christ above all. People around them are only there as extensions of themselves. Their egos are tied up in them, and when they aren’t rewarded, it is easy for them to destroy the relationships they have, without care for the other people. I’m sick of seeing this, and hearing of it. Being a spouse, and a parent is not for your fun. If you are a spouse or a parent, it is not an option to cease. If you are a spouse, you made an oath to God, and your spouse, in front of witnesses. How on Earth could you justify destroying that, just because you aren’t happy? If you are a parent of a child, how could you mistreat your child because they are interrupting your, “time” or perhaps they don’t give you what you want. Well, duh! They aren’t there to complete you, or make you feel loved, or better. You are the parent for crying out loud. God has given you a job to do. Train them up in the way they should go. Teach them about God, and His word. Preach the gospel of the grace of Jesus to them. Love them more than you love yourself. Sacrifice for everyone around you. You are NOT THAT IMPORTANT!!! Become everyone’s servant. Wash some feet, lower yourself! All of the self-esteem, feminism, everyone’s a winner, sexual liberty, no fault divorce, birth control, promiscuity marketed to women as women’s lib, defilement of marriage by divorce, adultery, and gay marriage, euthanasia marketed as dying with dignity, abortion marketed as a women’s choice under women’s lib/feminism, porn turning men and women into objects, defiling gender that is God given as a gift for the procreation of image bearers of God, that was to be for His glory, and on and on and on… I’m tired… I’m disgusted… Haven’t we had enough of us? Haven’t we had our fill of this delusion? We need God. We need repentance. We need to be broken so we can see the vanity of it all. WE NEED TO HUMBLE OURSELVES AND REPENT. We need to become lowly servants. That is my rant for the day. Like Paul when he said, “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NASB) We are the worst of sinners, I am the worst of sinners, you are the worst of sinners.
Snyder's Soapbox 