Does God Being Male Insult Women?

God refers to Himself as the Father; Jesus Christ, God in the flesh (John 1:1-3,14), who referred to Himself as the Son of God, came to earth in the form of a man, was crucified, rose again, and now sits on the right hand of the Father as the God-Man. It's fairly straightforward—God is male.

Though God has chosen to reveal Himself as Father and Son—both males, it doesn't mean men are more important than women (cf. Galatians 3:28). Females have played important roles in the Bible: Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary 1, Mary 2, Elizabeth, Lois, Lydia, and others were noteworthy women. And there's no record about them being unhappy with God's gender. 

There is no insult in God being male. The only insult is the one that people try to create.

The female was made from the male (Genesis 2:22), and God has given roles to each gender. They're both equal in creation but not in order (Genesis 1:27). God ordained males as heads (Ephesians 5:23). The only offense is to someone unwilling to accept God's declared order in creation.

Humans could have been anything God created, but He chose to make us male and female. When men and women have children, the family becomes a reflection of the eternal relationship within the Trinity. Apparently, God takes pleasure in proper familial relationships and is glorified in them.

Women can understand God the Father just fine and God the Son just fine. Female Christians in history did not seem to have a problem with that. Only now in American PC culture has God's gender become an issue.

One final note: Jesus Christ gave His life for His church (Ephesians 5:25)—a group comprised of both males and females. He refers to His church as His betrothed bride—a female (2 Corinthians 11:2), and their wedding ceremony will be in heaven during the Tribulation on earth (Revelation 19:7-9). That may make some men uncomfortable, but it's what God has declared—Christian men do not seem to have a problem with that. So, in the New Testament, God speaks to us as a Father, as a Son, and as a Husband to His bride. 

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By Jerry Smith
Feature image: Photo by Julie Johnson on Unsplash

Is Acts 1:8 A Command or Forthtelling?

Basing their actions on Matthew 28:19–20, many Christians and churches today are busy making disciples. While that may be implied from the passage, it doesn't say "make disciples" in the King James Bible. Jesus told the disciples to go, teach, baptize, and teach again.

Matthew 28:19–20

The idea conveyed here is to first be busy about the Father's business (go). Then tell people about God our Creator, our fallen condition, and about Jesus Christ—the Gospel (teach).

When someone has responded to the Gospel in saving faith, they're to be baptized (baptize). After a person is baptized, that brother or sister is to be built up in the faith (teaching them).

A person who has met the Savior will be ready to tell others about Christ. They'll witness to others about their personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Andrew is an example of this in John 1:40–42. Though his faith was not yet mature, he instinctively wanted to bring his brother, Peter, to see Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:8

Shortly before His ascension, Jesus told the disciples:

... ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

Eager Christians often see this as a second command to go and make disciples. But is that really what the Lord was saying here?

What did Jesus Say in Acts 1:8?

In Matthew, Jesus said, go. It was an imperative statement; an order that His disciples proceed forth and teach others the Gospel.

In Acts however, there's no imperative. There's only a declarative statement: "ye shall be witnesses." When examining the language of "shall be," the Greek word, esomai, we can see that it can mean, shall come to pass, but it is not an imperative statement.

The word witness comes from the Greek word, martus, a legal term that infers testifying in court (e.g. giving his testimony) or non-legal term for retelling a personal encounter (e.g. sharing his experience).

John bore witness about what he'd heard, seen, and touched during his experience with Jesus Christ (1 John 1:1–3). He declared Christ with the readers of 1 John.

Peter wrote similar words when he expressed his eye-witness account of what he'd seen and heard during his time with Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:6).

Paul witnessed of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6–9 and 26:12–15).

Command or Forthtelling?

The words Jesus spoke in Acts 1:8 have often been interpreted as a command to witness to the uttermost part of the earth, but that is not what we see here.

It appears that the Lord was forthtelling and foretelling—telling the disciples what would come to pass: they shall be witnesses (i.e. the word of God for the present: forthtelling), and as witnesses, they would flow from where they were then, to the uttermost part of the earth (i.e. the future: foretelling).

Do we have it backwards?

As Christians, we may have it all wrong. Could it be that we place more importance on Matthew 28:19–20 than Acts 1:8? From what we read in Scripture, it appears Acts 1:8 is the foundation for Matthew 28:19–20.

Perhaps one reason some people dislike Christians, or perhaps many unbelievers reject God and His Son Jesus Christ is that for so long, Christians have been overbearing and failing to demonstrate Christlike attitudes and behaviors—failing to live the Christian life which we speak of.

Could it be that we haven't nurtured our own relationships with the Lord and haven't shown simple sincerity in our witness to others? Don't people look for sincerity from an evangelist?

But if you look at how the Lord conducted Himself, he wasn't overbearing and He absolutely exhibited righteousness. He walked and talked the Gospel. He shared His relationship with the Father, and now He asks believers to share our relationship with Him, with others—ye shall be my witnesses.

Be ready to answer.

Peter wrote to persecuted Christians that they were to be ready:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15).

Why were they to be ready to answer? Because as they lived their Christian lives before those who may have despised them, they'd draw some to them who would ask about their steadfast faith and continued good behavior (cf. 1 Peter 3:8–14).

These verses in 1 Peter 3 are not a mandate to debate unbelievers, but a command to be ready to answer questions about our real and living faith (cf. James 2:18).

In Revelation 2:4, the Lord rebuked the Church of Ephesus because they had lost their first love.

In John 17:3, the Lord, praying to the Father, spoke of knowing the Father and the Son as eternal life.

The Lord is interested in relationships.

Clearly, the Lord is interested in relationships with His people. He is referred to as our heavenly Father (e.g. Luke 11:2) and in an intimate way as Abba Father (e.g. Galatians 4:6). Believers are called sons (e.g. Romans 8:14) and that God deals with us as sons (Hebrews 12:7). He said to His people Israel that He walks among them and would be their God, and they His people (Leviticus 26:12, Deuteronomy 23:14).

Christians today are so caught up in making disciples that they neglect their relationships with the Lord (Revelation 2:4). Focus on ministry and soul-winning take the priority over fellowship, prayer, and personal times spent with the Lord.

God's word teaches us that . . .

We're to let our light shine that others may see it and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). What light do unbelievers see in us? It starts at home, then neighbors, then work, then branches out to the world (i.e. Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth).

We're to live peaceful lives (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 12:14). How peaceful are our lives? Are we the rowdy ones on the block? Does our church make the most noise on Sundays? Are the soul-winners aggressive?

We're not to let evil be spoken of about us—nothing evil to say of us (Titus 2:8, 1 Peter 3:9,16; 2 Corinthians 8:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:15). How well do we fall into this description? What is our testimony to the world? 

We're to love God first (Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27). Do unbelievers see the love we have for God? Not a touchy-feely love, but a love that seeks to follow God.

Do people see these things in our lives, do they see only Bible-thumpers, hear harsh words, and get gospel tracts shoved in their faces?

Do they hear the believer's testimony of what Jesus Christ has done for him or only mechanical Bible quotes?

Do people see genuine Christianity and want to know more about it? Before the Lord renewed me in the faith, I wanted to be a Christian because I could see there was something pure and good in them. Do others say that about us?

Soul-winning in Church?

These days, preachers and churches feel obligation to preach the Gospel in church services. But is that what we're supposed to be doing in church?

According to Ephesians 4 (4:11–15) and 1 Corinthians 14 (14:3–5,12,26) that's not what we're supposed to be doing. Believers are to be taught doctrine and God is to be praised in His church. If unsaved people come in, they'll see this and know that they're different, and as Paul says, will fall down and glorify God (1 Corinthians 14:24–25).

What were the early disciples doing when they were gathered?

They were . . .

- Continuing daily with one accord.
- Breaking bread from house to house.
- Enjoying fellowship.
- Praising God.
- Having favor with God and man (Acts 2:45–47).

And the result was . . . the Lord added to them such as would be saved (Acts 2:47).
 

Final Thoughts

There must be something different about Christians. People are drawn to the light and will ask about it. We should be using words of grace seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6)—no need to quote chapter and verse. We can just have speech sprinkled with the word of God.

In the end, there should be a balance between Matthew 28:19–20 (teaching) and Acts 1:8 (witnessing).

To know more about reviving your relationship with Jesus Christ or beginning one, purchase your copy of Where Is the Beauty That We May Desire Him: A Devotional on Isaiah 53 (e-book) on Google Books, Amazon Kindle, or paperback. Your purchases help keep this ministry going.
 
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Written by Jerry Smith
Image source: www.LumoProject.com on FreeBibleimages.org

What Does God Say About Same-Sex Marriage?

In today's American culture where gender is questioned and same-sex marriages are relatively accepted as a norm, seeds of doubt about marriage are being planted in Christian minds. Consequently, some Christians may be wondering if God really said that only a man and woman could get married. 

The serpent approached Eve in the Garden of Eden with a similar doubt-planting strategy (Genesis 3:1) saying: "Yea, hath God said," to get her to question if God really commanded Adam not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

The Devil's strategy hasn't changed. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11, "we are not ignorant of his [the devil's] devices." 

The continual coverage of same-sex marriages in the media and even certain churches blessing them creates a need for answers to this question. 

In response to the doubt-engendering, same-sex marriage culture of today, Christians can look to the word of God for answers. The Bible is very clear on this matter: only men and women are to be married—becoming husband and wife. 

1. God Created Man and Woman

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27). 

Only two genders were created by God. The question involves only two types of people: male and female. From this, everything else flows. 

2. God Ordained Marriage Between Males and Females

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). 

God commanded that the male be joined to his wife (the female). Traditionally, this means in marriage. The joining between man and woman as husband and wife goes as far back as the beginning with Adam and Eve. It's God's design for mankind. 

3. It Is Reinforced in the New Testament

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians 5:25). 

In the New Testament, the joining of man and woman in marriage is further developed as being an image of Christ and the church, His bride. 

Christ wedding a male church is inconsistent with the clear and plain teaching of the Bible. Since we know Christ is male, He could not be female to marry another female (the church). The idea that same-sex marriages are approved by God just doesn't add up. 

Within the same chapter, the concepts of male and female, man and woman (Ephesians 5:28), and husband and wife (Ephesians 5:23), are quite clear in reference to marriage. 

Final Thoughts

There is no room for doubt. In the current trend of American culture, do not be deceived—God tells us that only men and women should be married. Anything else is in direct contradiction to the commands of God and flies in the face of the clear teaching of Scripture. 

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By Jerry Smith
Feature image source: James Bold on Unsplash
Man and woman no heads image source: Tom The Photographer on Unsplash

4 Biblical Motivations for Christians to Marry

Marriage is the fundamental social unit for humans in God's creation. The Bible shows us that it is a lifelong commitment that God takes seriously. 

But what are the motivations for a Christian marriage? 

Borrowed from an article written by myself at blogos.org, there are at least four reasons identified in the Bible why Christians should still marry.

1. For companionship (Genesis 2:18, 24). 

God made Eve a companion for Adam—from Adam, saying that it was not good for man to be alone. 

This shows that marriage is the norm for mankind rather than the exception, and that men and women do not feel complete unless they are married. 

Wanting to share your life with someone of the opposite sex is in line with God's plan for marriage and a great way to combat the loneliness of being a Christian in an increasingly God-denying society.

2. To raise godly children (Genesis 1:28; Ephesians 6:4). 

God commanded Adam and Eve to multiply and fill the earth. For some, the motivation to marry may be based simply on a couple's desire to obey God's commands. 

Since God has never commanded that marriages cease producing and raising children, the motivation to simply obey God lines up with God's plan for marriage and an excellent testimony to the value of a child in the face of constant debate about abortion versus childbirth.

3. To avoid sexual impurity (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). 

Paul was saying that to avoid fornication, it is better to marry (1 Corinthians 7:2) where sex is honorable and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). 

A couple may be motivated to marry to avoid the struggle with sexual urges, lust, and temptation (Colossians 3:5; James 1:15). Wanting to be married to avoid sexual sin and to exercise God-ordained sexual relations within the bounds of marriage is also in line with God's plan for marriage. 

In a culture where premarital sex is celebrated, especially in movies and television series, marriage to avoid it is a testimony against worldly thinking.

4. To emulate and reflect the glory of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25, 32). 

Paul writes that marriage reflects the relationship between Jesus Christ and the church. 

Ephesians 5:21-33 presents a wonderful parallel of the relationship between husbands and wives and Christ and the church in terms of submission (Ephesians 5:22), respect (Ephesians 5:33), sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25), and unity (Ephesians 5:31). 

Reflecting the glory of Jesus Christ and His church through marriage is a testimony to the world that there are two genders, and that these two genders are to dwell together in love and unity.

Whatever the motivations, whether those mentioned here or others, we must remember that there is no command to marry (1 Corinthians 7:6) just as there is no command not to marry. We should not judge anyone for their choices. 

However, these are biblical reasons to marry that can help Christians resist the influence of the worldly culture around them and reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.

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Image 2 source: Source: kevin-lanceplaine-674627-unsplash

10 Points a Christian Woman Should Look for in a Future Husband

What should a Christian woman be looking for in a Christian man that she is considering marrying? As a minimum, he should be demonstrating biblical qualities similar to what we read in Ephesians 5. 

Though many Christians focus on verses 21-33 in isolation when it comes to marriages, the entire chapter leads into the relationship. 

Ephesians 5 is an excellent checklist to go by when considering a husband or wife. The following are ten points that a woman can look for in a potential husband that would help confirm he is a good catch or raise a red flag that he is not. 

1. He should be a follower of God (Ephesians 5:1). 

A "follower" in New Testament language meant that you imitated who you were following. That means, the prospective man should be focused on the things of God, not on things of himself only. His walk with God will be his first priority. "As dear children" indicates a humility before God that should be readily seen in his walk. 

2. He should be walking in love (Ephesians 5:2).

Christ showed supreme love in dying for unlovable people—He understands the meaning of self-sacrifice and is our example. If your potential husband shows indications of a willingness to sacrifice—as opposed to having to be coerced to do something for others—he is demonstrating Christ-like qualities that are worth keeping. 

3. He is walking in the truth (Ephesians 5:3-6).

Based on verses 3-6, he should be avoiding certain behaviors, not because he is resisting temptation, but because he is rooted in right doctrine. 

There are a lot of doctrines out there which lead people away from the true God and into a more fleshly walk. This man will not be one of them. 

4. His life should be a testimony of light not darkness (Ephesians 5:8).

Very simply, to avoid being unequally yoked, he should have a clear testimony of how the Lord saved Him.

5. He should demonstrate cautiousness (Ephesians 5:15). 

The future Mr. should be someone who gives indications of walking not only wisely but also carefully. He should not run into things he is not sure about. 

There should be a propriety about him that comes out in his life. Watch for what the Bible calls a circumspect walk. If you have a hard time seeing it, you may want to think twice.

6. He should have an attitude of submissiveness in church (Ephesians 5:21). 

We are told to submit ourselves one to another. His behavior in church should demonstrate a submissiveness to the members. It does not mean he is a doormat, but he defers to others when appropriate. 

7. He should be self-sacrificing for you (Ephesians 5:25). 

As mentioned previously, Christ was our example of sacrifice. Husbands are commanded to show this same love to their wives. A future husband should show indications of love that reflect his willingness to give you what you want instead of taking only what he wants. He doesn't have to give his life for you, but he should be willing to die to his wants for you.

8. He should be guiding you in the word (Ephesians 5:26-27).

A future husband should be interested in studying the Bible with you. At the very least, sharing the word of God together can help develop each other. 

If he is interested in the word of God and sharing it with you for your benefit, it is another indicator that he is a keeper. 

9. He should be treating you with honor, care, and respect (Ephesians 5:25, 28).

As he treats himself with care (and he should be taking care of himself), so he should be looking out for your welfare. 

If a future husband is not taking care of himself, it is an indicator that he will not be taking care of you—possibly expecting you to take care of him, which is backwards. 

10. He should be interested in your spiritual well-being (Ephesians 5:28). 

This man should want to attend church with you, not sneak off into a dark alley. He will want to do things that avoid the appearance of evil because he wants to keep your honor. 

A man who shows signs of caring for your reputation is a good man to consider for marriage.

Conclusion

True, Ephesians 5 contains the target relationship between Christian husbands and wives, but there should be glimpses of these points from verse 1 to verse 33 in the life, attitudes, and behaviors of the future spouse. 

No believer on earth is perfect, but there should be hints of these points in his life.

By Jerry Smith

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Feature image: Photo by freestocks.org on Unsplash