Women, Marriage, Christ, and Other Stuff to Offend Postmoderns

The truth, according to Scripture is that we are radically corrupted by sin. Every aspect of our nature has been affected by sin.

My father disappointed me. My mother disappointed me. My ex-wife disappointed me. My ex-girlfriend disappointed me. My teachers disappointed me. My pastor disappointed me. My estranged friends disappointed me. And you know what? I equally disappointed them. Disappointment in my thesaurus, is a synonym for life. Once you realize this, it will destroy you. We are a manic people - continually searching for fulfillment in others, and always being disappointed. It is good to let this truth seep into you and destroy you. Then, a new way of perceiving. A new hope that transcends conditions, that brings meaning to the world outside of yourself and what other people can do for you.

Jesus disappointed people. The perfect man, untouched by sin. People placed the wrong kind of trust in Jesus. They expected him to be a Savior, not someone who would get them killed. Peter didn't think twice about denying Christ - it was a natural response. Israel was looking for a Messiah to rid them of the burden of Rome - to make their lives easy. To make them happy. To attend to their selfish needs. Jesus attended to their only true need. Salvation. New Life.

I've noticed something. Single women and the memes they post. It's always about finding the right man to meet their needs. It's about what they deserve, how they should be treated. Happiness. This is their sole focus. Those things are fine, but not when they become gods. They are false gods. I've seen women and men whose every need is attended to. They are anything but happy. That's because they don't know what they need.

This to me is as much a red flag as those people who come to Jesus wanting to know what He will do to make them happier, to better their lives. Jesus already did the work He had to do. Nothing is ever enough for people. Ask any parent of a spoiled child. They cannot get outside of themselves long enough to look around and see the suffering, the loneliness, the injustice around them or to be happy or thankful for what they have themselves. If they did, they would have a change in perspective.

The Church is the Bride of Christ. The wedding has not happened yet. The Bride has been given, but the Groom has not come for her. What is the Bride supposed to be doing in the mean time?  Does she incessantly nag Jesus, about how she should be treated? Is love when "Another person's happiness is equally important as your own"? Jesus must not love his bride. What are you doing for me lately Jesus?

If people understood Christianity, it would transform their relationships. It would give them a true definition of love. Marriage was instituted by God in the dispensation of innocence, making it a Holy institution. The first reason for marriage being given, was that Adam was lonely and needed a helper. I'm sorry, it wasn't for the reason that woman needed all that she deserved, and it certainly wasn't for the reason that man needed all he deserved. 

We deserve justice. Instead, we have received grace - those who have received grace are transformed by it. If you claim to be a Christian, and there is no fruit of transformation - you are mistaken. We love Jesus because He loved us first. That love comes forth from the knowledge of what you deserved, and what you got instead. If I had a child, they certainly would not be spoiled. They would be taught. I won't put any memes up about this, but I seek a woman who is a Christian and who has a heart for teaching people - not giving them what they want, not making them comfortable, or happy, but giving them what they need in order to grow into mature men and women who are image bearers of the Living God. That is the only fulfillment game in town, the only one that will result in joy, happiness, and all that illogical junk.

Marriage is for:

Companionship - Genesis 2:8

Sexual Fulfillment - 1 Corinthians 7:2

Procreation - Genesis 1:27, 28

When I am in a relationship, I am in it for better or for worse. They have all been for worse. Yet I was willing to suffer every day, to make it work, to grow in love and grace. I don't think like the people in culture think today, viz., "Is he/she right for me? That they said such and such must mean we are not meant for each other. We are too different. I'm not happy. I deserve to be loved like the movie stars love each other - truly, and for no more than 6 months, before I realize I was mistaken, and that they are a horrible person."

Proverbs is Old Testament wisdom literature. This means there is a lot of wisdom to be found there. They are the proverbs of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived - and who could question that he as well was the most foolish?  Women he knew about. As was then so is now - An excellent wife who can find?

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10  1 uAn excellent wife who can find?

She is far more precious than vjewels.

11  The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12  She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

13  She wseeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

14  She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from afar.

15  She xrises while it is yet night

and yprovides food for her household

and portions for her maidens.

16  She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17  She zdresses herself2 with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19  She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20  She aopens her hand to bthe poor

and reaches out her hands to bthe needy.

21  She is not afraid of snow for her household,

for all her household are clothed in cscarlet.3

22  She makes dbed coverings for herself;

her clothing is efine linen and fpurple.

23  Her husband is known in gthe gates

when he sits among the elders of the land.

24  She makes hlinen garments and sells them;

she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25  iStrength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26  She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27  She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28  Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her:

29  “Many jwomen have done kexcellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30  lCharm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31  Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.