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“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25–29). That command is not a vague encouragement—it is a holy standard. God calls a husband to paint a faithful picture for a watching world: Christ’s love and Christ’s leadership toward His church . When a husband neglects this calling, he doesn’t just harm his home—he distorts the image he is supposed to reflect. The standard is high because the model is perfect. Even when the church struggles, Christ’s headship remains wise, right, and wholly oriented toward His bride’s good. Christ has given Himself for her benefit, and a husband is called to follow that same pattern in the home. Headship is real—and it exists for God’s glory God established an order and function in the home:  the husband is the head of the wife , meaning God has delegated a measure of authority to the husband for His glory. This difference in authority is not unique to marriage. Scripture recognizes that many relationships involve rightful authority—parents and children, elders and the church, employers and employees, governments and citizens—because order requires structure. But biblical headship must be adequately understood, or it will be abused. 1) A husband’s authority is delegated and limited A husband does not possess unlimited authority—only God does. The commands of God’s word  limit a husband’s authority . He does not have the right to do or demand anything he wants, and he certainly has no authority to sin or pressure his wife into sin. 2) A husband’s authority is not for his own benefit Many marital conflicts are fueled by poor leadership—when a husband uses his position to serve himself, pursue fleshly gain, act irresponsibly, or “lord it over” his wife. That is not biblical headship; it is failure. Scripture presses the point further: a husband is to view his wife as his own body. Christ exercises headship over the church—His body—for her blessing, her safety, and her welfare. He nourishes and cherishes. A husband is called to lead with the same orientation. The model for a husband: the Good Shepherd, not a hireling Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd—one who lays down His life for the sheep and leads by example. That picture exposes a problem in many homes: some men drift into “hireling” behavior—self-serving, self-protecting, and unwilling to sacrifice. A hireling looks for personal ease. A shepherd looks for his sheep’s good. God has called husbands to be family shepherds —protectors and leaders whose decisions are not driven by personal desire but by the spiritual benefit of the family. Husbands should not love to rule; they should rule to love . This is why biblical headship is more than authority—it is loving leadership. What Christlike love looks like in a husband If husbands are commanded to love as Christ loved the church, then the most straightforward way to understand marital love is to study the love of Christ. Christ’s love initiates: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us…” (1 John 4:10). Christ did not wait until His people were deserving. He moved first. Likewise, a husband must not wait on perfect circumstances before he loves well. He should be the initiator—seeking his wife’s benefit and conducting himself so that she is drawn closer to Christ. Christ’s love is verbal: God repeatedly assures His people of His love. A husband should not assume his wife “just knows.” Love must be spoken—plainly, sincerely, consistently. That includes encouragement, appreciation, and compassionate listening—helping her carry burdens and giving strength from God’s word. Christ’s love is demonstrated by action: God “commendeth his love toward us” in action—Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). A husband’s love should be visible in daily life: thoughtful gestures, renewed tenderness, and practical attention—doing again the kinds of things that once showed pursuit and devotion. Christ’s love does what is best: Christ sanctifies and cleanses, aiming to present the church glorious, holy, and without blemish (Ephesians 5:26–27). That means a husband’s love is not merely sentimental; it is purposeful. He seeks what is best for his wife—helping without being asked, praying for her, and leading spiritually. Christ’s love is self-sacrificial Christ “giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Most husbands assume they would sacrifice in a crisis, yet everyday life often reveals the real struggle: self first, comfort first, preferences first. Christlike love flips that. It prefers the wife, seeks her interests, gives time, and makes room for what blesses her. Love requires knowledge: learn your wife A husband cannot love well without learning well: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge… that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7). This kind of knowledge is not shallow familiarity—it is thoughtful understanding: her capabilities, her pressures, her needs, and what strengthens or discourages her. Practical ways to grow in that knowledge include: Observe : look, listen, and learn. Ask purposeful questions : not interrogation, but sincere pursuit. Experience her world : walk a mile in her shoes. Honor your wife: treat her as precious and delicate Knowledge should produce honor—esteem, gratitude, and careful treatment. A husband honors his wife through words and tone: speaking kindly, refusing belittlement, building her up, and correcting with encouragement rather than contempt. Honor also shows up in service: not treating her as a servant, but serving her with genuine care. Closing: the calling is costly—and it is worth it To be the husband God calls a man to be, he must be willing to study and apply God’s pattern of love, even when it requires personal sacrifice. Christ loved the church to the point of death, and husbands are called to model that sacrificial love toward their wives.

Relationships According to the Bible “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him ” (Genesis 2:18). From the beginning, God made it clear: human life was designed for relationship. We are not isolated beings. We need fellowship, companionship, and connection—relationships that sharpen us and move us toward God’s purpose for our lives. But as important as human relationships are, Scripture shows that the most important relationship of all is our relationship with God . Everything else is built on that foundation. The first relationship: God and man Genesis gives a beautiful picture of what God intended: God walking in the garden “in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). That scene reveals two essential truths: Communication existed between God and man.  There was closeness, fellowship, and daily interaction. Sin changed the relationship immediately.  Instead of running to God, Adam and Eve hid in fear. Sin still does that. It separates. Isaiah said, “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2). And that separation is not something man can fix by his own willpower or good intentions. God restored what sin broke—through Jesus Here is the hope: God did for man what man could not do for himself. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). God’s word also tells us what we must do to be restored to Him: Believe  (Mark 16:16) Repent  (Luke 13:3) Confess Christ  (Matthew 10:32) Be baptized into Christ for remission of sins , being raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4) Only after reconciliation with God can our other relationships become what they need to be. Scripture is blunt about this: if someone claims to love God while hating a brother, that claim is empty (1 John 4:20–21). Relationships in the body of Christ Christian living is not meant to be a solitary journey. It is a walk of believers together. Ephesians lays out this truth clearly: after teaching God’s plan of redemption, it turns to instruct believers on how to live with one another. “I…beseech you that ye walk worthy… with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3). Relationships in the church—along with those in the home and workplace—are designed to help us grow not only individually but also corporately into the fullness of Christ for God’s glory. The enemy of relationships: pride in two disguises Many relationship breakdowns aren’t rooted in personality differences—they’re rooted in self-centeredness. The enemy of humility and meekness is pride. Pride can show up in at least two ways: Superiority , like the Pharisee who thanked God he wasn’t like other men (Luke 18:11). Self-pity , a different form of pride that still seeks elevation and attention, only through despair instead of boasting. Either way, pride turns relationships into a contest: Who is right? Who is seen? Who wins? The Christ-centered path: deny self and consider others “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). When Christ is truly first, relationships change. Instead of asking what we can get out of people, we learn to ask what we can give. That is where healthy relationships begin: God first, then others, then self. Communication: the lifeblood of healthy relationships Communication is at the heart of the relationship with God and the relationship with people. “The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12). In close relationships, the closer the bond, the more transparency is required. A husband and wife should be completely transparent—no secrets. When communication breaks down, trust breaks down. A wife once assumed her husband was doing something sinful with money taken from overtime pay, growing bitter for months—only to learn he had been saving it for their anniversary. A marriage nearly collapsed because of assumptions and silence. Listen before you answer: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him” (Proverbs 18:13). Listening well takes discipline: concentrate, don’t plan your response while the other person talks, don’t interrupt, and ask clarifying questions when the conversation matters. Communication is more than words: Tone of voice, body language, and deeds speak too. The same sentence can be warm or threatening depending on how it is delivered. Speak truth—and speak to build up: “Putting away lying, speak every man the truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). And “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying… Let all bitterness, and wrath… be put away… and be ye kind… tenderhearted… forgiving one another” (Ephesians 4:29, 31–32). God’s purpose in relationships “Two are better than one… for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow… and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12). The closer the relationship, the more opportunity it gives us to grow and become more Christlike—whether husband and wife, parent and child, employer and employee, or brethren in the body of Christ. The goal is not to make people the way we want them to be, but to encourage them to become more like Christ.

Recovering God’s design for marriage in a disposable age Jesus said, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4–6). That single statement cuts through centuries of cultural confusion. Marriage is not a contract we adjust when it becomes inconvenient—it is a covenant God designed “at the beginning.” In Matthew 19, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question that sounds familiar today: “Is it lawful…for every cause?”  In other words— Can I end my marriage whenever I decide I’m done?  Jesus refused to start the conversation with modern opinions or rabbinic loopholes. He went back to creation because if we don’t understand God’s original design, we will never understand God’s boundaries. 1) Marriage begins in creation, not culture Jesus anchored marriage in what God established “at the beginning”: male and female, leaving father and mother, cleaving to one’s spouse, and becoming “one flesh” (Matthew 19:4–6). That matters because the more a society normalizes divorce, the more people lose the proper view of marriage. Even the disciples—after hearing Jesus’ strict standard—reacted with shock:  “If the case…be so… it is not good to marry”  (Matt. 19:10). Their reaction shows how far divorce culture had already shaped how people thought. 2) Why did Moses speak about divorce at all? The Pharisees asked, “Why did Moses then command…a writing of divorcement?”  Jesus answered plainly: “Because of the hardness of your hearts.”   In other words, divorce regulation in the Law was not a celebration of divorce—it was restraint in a fallen world. But Jesus did not merely restate what “people allowed.” He tightened the practice by restoring God’s intention: marriage is meant to be permanent, faithful, and honored. 3) Jesus’ exception clause: what Matthew 19:9 actually says Matthew 19:9 is one of the most important passages in the New Testament on divorce and remarriage, because it includes what many call the “exception clause”: “except it be for fornication.”   “Put away” is divorce—not mere distance The word translated “put away” is ἀπολύω (apolyō) —to release, dismiss, or divorce—used in the New Testament for formal divorce. That matters because some try to blur the lines between separation, desertion, and divorce. Jesus is addressing divorce as an act. The exception: πορνεία (porneia) Jesus’ exception uses πορνεία (porneia) —a broad term for sexual immorality. Porneia is broader than the specific word for adultery ( μοιχεία, moicheia ) and can include a serious sexual breach of the covenant relationship. Why might Jesus use porneia  instead of the narrower term? Because of the Jewish betrothal context (Matthew 1:19) and the inclusive scope of porneia . The core conclusion Jesus affirms the permanence of marriage—and teaches that divorce and remarriage outside the God-given exception result in adultery. 4) The “great mystery”: marriage displays Christ and the church Marriage is not only about companionship or family life (as important as those are). Scripture says marriage points to something bigger: “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31–32). The highest purpose of marriage is to put on display the covenant relationship of Christ and His church—faithful love, committed sacrifice, and enduring unity. Christ has one bride. He does not abandon her. He does not divide His affections. In the same way, marriage is meant to be singular and sacred. 5) What about separation? 1 Corinthians 7:11 The New Testament also addresses a real-world situation: conflict so severe that spouses may live apart. Paul writes: “If she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:11). The Greek word for “depart” ( χωρίζω, chōrizō )—to separate or withdraw—is not  the technical word for divorce used in Matthew 19:9, but it can mean divorce. So what are the biblical options when separation happens? Remain unmarried Be reconciled And “be reconciled” connects to καταλλάσσω (katallassō) —restoring fellowship and replacing hostility with peace. Separation does not dissolve the marriage bond; reconciliation is God’s preferred path wherever repentance and change are possible. 6) Mixed marriages: believer + unbeliever God’s ideal is spiritual unity, yet Scripture also addresses cases in which one spouse is not a Christian. Paul teaches that if the unbelieving spouse is willing to dwell with the believer, the believer must not seek divorce simply because of differing faith. And God can use faithful conduct as a powerful witness (1 Peter 3:1–2). 7) “Not under bondage” in 1 Corinthians 7:15 A major question arises when an unbeliever leaves: Is the Christian then free to remarry?  Consider the wording: “Not under bondage” uses δέδουλωται (dedoulōtai)  from δουλόω (douloō) —to enslave. When Paul speaks of being “bound” in marriage, he uses a different verb (δέω). 1 Corinthians 7:15 does not dissolve the marriage bond; it teaches that the believer is not enslaved to chase, fight, or be tormented by the departing spouse. God has called us to peace—but that is not the same thing as permission to remarry. 8) Practical applications for believers today If marriage is a covenant meant to reflect Christ and His church, then honoring marriage is not optional Christianity—it is discipleship. Here are a few grounded steps that flow from the sermon’s message: Recover reverence for what marriage is .  Treat it as holy, not casual. Reject “every cause” divorce thinking.  Don’t let convenience become your authority. Pursue repentance and reconciliation when possible.  God’s will is permanence, faithfulness, and restored peace. In mixed marriages, lead with godly conduct.  A faithful example often speaks louder than arguments. Remember the “why.”  Marriage is designed to display covenant love—Christlike sacrifice, steadfast loyalty, and holiness. Closing: honor what God joined God designed marriage for companionship, moral purity, spiritual growth, and gospel reflection—blessings that flourish best in the marriage God instituted. That’s why Jesus’ command still stands: “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”

In every generation, cultures debate and redefine what marriage should be. Laws change, customs shift, and opinions multiply. But long before any nation wrote its first statute or culture formed its first traditions, God Himself  designed marriage. Scripture does not begin with a government, a school, or a nation. It begins with a man and a woman in a garden , joined together by their Creator. If we want to understand marriage, we must go back to where God began. 1. Marriage Begins in the Mind of God Genesis tells us: “So God created man in his own image… male and female created he them.” (Gen. 1:27) Humanity is made in the image of God, but that image is expressed in two complementary sexes —male and female. In Genesis 2, God looks at Adam in his solitude and declares: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Gen. 2:18) God did not create marriage because Adam was bored or lonely in a casual sense. He created marriage to meet a God-identified need : man needed a companion who corresponded to him—equal in worth, different in role, perfectly suited to stand at his side. When God brought Eve to Adam, he exclaimed: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” (Gen. 2:23) With those words, Scripture introduces the one-flesh union  that defines marriage. This is more than romance; it is the beginning of the first family—designed for mutual help, shared purpose, and divine blessing. 2. God’s Intent: Exclusive, Sacred, and Permanent From the very beginning, God’s design for marriage is clear: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24) In that single sentence, God reveals His pattern: One man and one woman  – not two men, not two women, not any other arrangement. Leaving and cleaving  – a new, primary human relationship is formed. One flesh  – a profound spiritual, emotional, and physical union. No expiration date  – nothing in the text suggests rotation, substitution, or trial periods. Marriage is not a human experiment; it is a divine institution . It was meant to be: Exclusive  – “a man… shall cleave unto his wife.” Sacred  – “what God hath joined together.” (Matt. 19:6) Lifelong  – designed as a covenant, not a temporary arrangement. God also gave the first couple a mission: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) Through the family, life would be propagated, values transmitted, and God’s authority honored. The home was to be the first school, the first church, and the first government —the center of instruction, love, and security. 3. Marriage Is a Covenant, Not a Contract Modern culture treats marriage like a contract: If you make me happy, I’ll stay. If you don’t, I’ll go. Scripture presents a very different picture: “She is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.” (Mal. 2:14) A contract  is about mutual benefit and can be abandoned when the terms no longer please us. A covenant  is a solemn, binding commitment made in the presence of God. It is grounded not in fluctuating emotion, but in reverence and faithfulness. When God brought Eve to Adam, He was doing more than introducing two people. He was witnessing the beginning of a covenant . That is why God condemns treachery against “the wife of thy youth” (Mal. 2:14)—because to abandon a spouse is to mock the covenant God Himself observed. The New Testament lifts marriage even higher. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us that marriage is a living picture of Christ and the church : “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Eph. 5:32) Christ is the faithful Bridegroom. The church is His bride. To break faith with one’s spouse is to preach a false message about the faithfulness of Christ. That spiritual dimension elevates marriage beyond mere emotion or convenience; it becomes an act of testimony. 4. Jesus Reaffirms the Original Design Centuries after Eden, the Pharisees approached Jesus with a divorce question, hoping to trap Him in controversy. Jesus did not appeal to the customs of His day or the schools of popular rabbis. Instead, He went back to creation : “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matt. 19:4–6) Jesus affirmed: God defines gender: male and female . Marriage is between one male and one female . In marriage, two become one flesh . What God joins, man must not separate. When the Pharisees pointed to Moses’ allowance for divorce, Jesus replied: “Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matt. 19:8) Divorce was a concession to human sinfulness—not God’s ideal. The pattern “from the beginning” still stands . Jesus allows one exception—sexual immorality—but makes clear that breaking the covenant is not God’s desire. 5. Why Lifelong Marriage Matters God designed marriage to accomplish several holy purposes: Companionship  – “It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Gen. 2:18) Procreation  – “Be fruitful, and multiply.” (Gen. 1:28) Moral purity  – “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Cor. 7:2) Spiritual growth  – husband and wife sharpen and refine one another. Gospel reflection  – marriage pictures Christ’s covenant love. These blessings are fully realized only when marriage follows God’s pattern: one man, one woman, for life . When we tamper with that structure—through polygamy, casual divorce, same-sex unions, or other distortions—we forfeit the blessings and invite confusion, instability, and judgment. 6. Holding Fast to God’s Pattern in a Confused Culture We live in a time when almost every part of God’s design is being questioned: Gender is treated as fluid, self-defined, and changeable. Marriage is rebranded as any relationship between consenting adults. Vows are seen as temporary, conditional, and easily broken. In the midst of this confusion, the Christian must lovingly but firmly affirm: Gender is binary and created by God , not chosen by man. Marriage is sacred , not just a social contract. Divorce is a sorrowful concession , not God’s design. Faithfulness matters —to one’s spouse and to God. A husband and wife who commit themselves to each other for life, under God’s rule, create more than a household. They make a sanctuary of love, a fortress of truth, and a witness to the world . Conclusion: God’s Design Still Works The family is in crisis today, not because God’s design is flawed, but because it has been ignored, redefined, and dishonored. Yet for those who return to Scripture, there is hope, healing, and joy . God’s plan has not changed: One man, one woman, for life. When we embrace that pattern, we are not clinging to outdated tradition—we are aligning ourselves with the wisdom of our Creator and bearing witness to the unbreakable covenant love of Christ. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matt. 19:6) May our homes, our churches, and our lives boldly declare that God’s design for marriage is not broken. It is beautiful—and it still works.

“This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” —Genesis 2:23 What a scene Scripture paints in Genesis 2. On the sixth day, after forming Adam from the dust, God caused a deep sleep to come upon him, took a rib from his side, and fashioned the woman. When God brought her to Adam, he responded with awe: “Bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh.” In that moment, God established something that did not come from human creativity, culture, or law. He established marriage . This post explores what marriage is according to God’s design—and why that design matters for our homes, our churches, and our society. 1. Marriage Originated with God, Not Man Jesus made it clear that marriage is not a human invention: “From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female… What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”—Mark 10:6–9 Marriage didn’t evolve over time or appear as a social experiment. From the moment God created male and female, He ordained this relationship—a covenant union between one man and one woman  becoming one flesh . One striking fact is that marriage is universal . Every known civilization, in every era and every region, has practiced some form of marriage. If marriage were merely a human idea, we might expect to find cultures with no such institution at all. Instead, we find it everywhere—because God ordained it at the beginning. Marriage is also foundational : It existed before  any human government. It existed before  the church. If you want to understand a society's strength or weakness, look at the condition of its homes. 2. The Home and the Health of the Church Scripture ties the strength of Christ’s church closely to the strength of the home. When Paul described the qualifications of elders, he began with their marriages and families: “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children…”—Titus 1:6 A man may have incredible talent or biblical knowledge, but if his home is not what it should be, he is not qualified to shepherd God’s people. The church will never rise above the spiritual health of its families. When the home breaks down, the church suffers. When the house is ordered according to God’s design, the church is strengthened. 3. The First Wedding in Eden Genesis 2 records the very first wedding ceremony: “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”—Genesis 2:18 God first brought the animals to Adam to be named. As Adam examined them, he saw that each had a companion—but he did not. God used this process to impress the man’s need upon his own heart. Then God created the woman, fashioned from Adam’s rib, and brought her to him. In Eden, God Himself acted as the Father, giving the bride to the groom. One man. One woman. One flesh. This is marriage by God’s design. 4. Marriage Exists for God’s Glory Because God designed marriage, it carries a meaning far higher than human convenience or personal happiness. Sadly, no generation has viewed marriage as highly as it deserves. Even in Jesus’ day, divorce was common. The Pharisees asked if a man could divorce his wife “for every cause.” Jesus pointed them back to creation: “From the beginning it was not so”  (Matt. 19:8). God permitted divorce under Moses because of the hardness of their hearts—but that was never His original design. Jesus tightened, not loosened, the standard: “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery.”—Matthew 19:9 The disciples were so taken aback that they replied, “If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry” (Matt. 19:10). That response shows how low the view of marriage had fallen—even among those closest to Christ. A quick and easy divorce does not honor God. It misrepresents what marriage is meant to display. 5. Marriage as a Picture of Christ and the Church Paul reveals the most profound meaning of marriage in Ephesians 5: “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.”—Ephesians 5:31–32 Here is the “mystery”: Marriage is designed to reflect the covenant relationship between Christ and His church. Wives represent the church. Husbands represent Christ. “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.”—Ephesians 5:24–25 Put simply: The wife is called to a glad, willing submission , just as the church submits to Christ. The husband is called to self-giving love , just as Christ gave Himself for the church. This means the bottom-line posture of marriage is not, “What do I get?”  but “What can I give?” Wives: Do you set aside your own preferences and ambitions to bless your husband? Husbands: Do you die to self daily to serve your wife’s good? Divorce and careless remarriage are horrific in God’s eyes because they distort this picture of Christ’s unbreakable covenant with His people. 6. One Flesh—and One Primary Human Relationship When a man and woman marry, they covenant before God to become one flesh . Their lives are woven together at every level: Spiritually Emotionally Physically Financially Practically This “one flesh” relationship is to take priority over all other human  relationships—even the parent-child relationship. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife.”—Genesis 2:24 To “cleave” means to cling, to pursue closely, to remain firmly joined. Only our pursuit of God should surpass a husband and wife’s pursuit of each other. When the parent-child relationship is placed above the marriage relationship, families suffer: Spouses drift apart while pouring all their energy into children. When the children leave home, many couples discover they no longer have a relationship. Parents may struggle to “let go,” pulling on one hand while the new spouse holds the other, creating painful tension. Children do not  need parents who revolve their entire identity around them. They need parents who know how to love each other well—who model a Christlike marriage they can one day imitate. One of the best gifts a father can give his children is to love their mother well. One of the best gifts a mother can give her children is to honor and support their father. 7. Growing Together Toward Christ God intends marriage to be a means of spiritual growth. Nowhere do we have more opportunity to practice Christlike humility than in the daily life of the home. “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 2:4–5 In a Christ-centered marriage: Each spouse seeks the other’s good above self. Each helps the other become more like Jesus. Each sees the relationship not as a bargaining table, but as a place of service. The oneness God desires in marriage can only be reached when both husband and wife stop asking, “How can I be fulfilled?”  and start asking, “How can I help my spouse become all God intends?” Conclusion: Marriage for God’s Glory “Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” is far more than poetic language. God declares that marriage is: Ordained by Him Foundational to society and the church A living picture of Christ and His church A covenant of life-long, self-giving love If we would honor God in our homes, we must stop exalting self and start exalting His design. May our marriages, by God’s grace, display to the world the beauty of the gospel—Christ loving His bride, and His bride joyfully following Him.

When Genesis 6 opens, the world is almost unrecognizable compared to the “very good” creation of Genesis. 1. Humanity has multiplied, but so has wickedness. “And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth…But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”—Genesis 6:7–8 In a world overflowing with violence, corruption, and rebellion, one man stands out—not because he was sinless, but because he found grace . Through Noah’s story, God gives us a powerful picture of what it means to be saved by grace through faith . 1. The Days of Noah: A World Ready for Judgment Nearly 1,700 years after creation, Scripture says that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). People were busy with life—eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage—while completely ignoring God (Matt. 24:37–39). Their problem wasn’t a lack of activity. It was that they lacked submission . Material pursuits and fleshly desires swallowed any concern for holiness. God, who is perfectly just, had every right to bring judgment. In fact, He would have been justified to wipe out all of humanity—Noah included. 2. “Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord” We can read that line quickly and miss its weight. To “find grace” is to receive undeserved favor . Noah was not sinless. Scripture is clear that “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), and Noah was no exception. One sin is enough to make a man a lawbreaker (James 2:10). All the sacrifices under the Law of Moses could not fully remove even a single sin—they only rolled it forward (Heb. 10:1–4). If Noah stood righteous before God, it was not because he earned it, but because God chose to extend mercy . Grace does not ignore sin. It answers sin. 3. Grace Always Comes with a Plan God’s grace toward Noah wasn’t an abstract feeling. It came with specific instructions : “Make thee an ark of gopher wood…The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits…A window shalt thou make… and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof.”—Genesis 6:14–16 God designed the ark down to the details—wood type, dimensions, layout, window, and door. Noah didn’t get to improvise. Grace provided the plan; obedience built the ark. For roughly a century, Noah: Worked  on the ark Warned  a wicked generation Walked  with God in a world that mocked him Peter later calls him “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Pet. 2:5). Yet despite the long warning, no one joined him. When the rain fell, only eight souls entered the ark. 4. Noah’s Faith Responded to Grace Hebrews sums up Noah’s response in one powerful sentence: “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house…”—Hebrews 11:7 Notice the sequence: Grace  – God warned Noah and provided a way of escape. Faith  – Noah believed what God said, even though he had never seen a flood. Obedience  – That faith “moved” him to prepare the ark exactly as God commanded. If Noah had shrugged off God’s warning, altered the blueprint, or stopped building halfway, he would have perished with the rest of the world. Grace offered salvation; faith accepted it through obedience . 5. Saved by Grace Through Faith—Then and Now Peter connects Noah’s salvation directly to ours: “…eight souls were saved by water.The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…”—1 Peter 3:20–21 Noah’s salvation was a type , or foreshadowing, of the salvation available in Christ. God did not accidentally choose water, an ark, and a global judgment—He was painting a picture for future generations. Paul explains that we too are saved “by grace… through faith” (Eph. 2:8–10). We cannot earn salvation; we cannot put God in our debt. But that same passage also says we are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works” that God prepared beforehand. Grace does not eliminate obedience. Grace enables  obedient faith. 6. Parallels Between Noah’s Ark and Our Salvation in Christ Connections between Noah’s day and ours: One Source of Light The ark had one window . Today we have one spiritual light: the Word of God. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps. 119:105). One Door of Salvation The ark had one door . Today there is one entrance into salvation: Jesus. “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). One Family Inside Everyone in the ark belonged to the same family. Everyone in Christ belongs to one spiritual family—no Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female, but “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28–29). One Divinely Designed Vessel There was only one ark , built to God’s pattern. Today there is one body, the church, designed by God (Eph. 1:22–23; 4:4). Just as Noah had no right to alter God’s blueprint for the ark, we have no right to alter God’s pattern for salvation or the church. 7. Baptism: The Antitype of the Flood Peter says baptism is the “like figure” of the flood—not because water itself has mystical power, but because of what God does when obedient faith meets His promise. “…baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”—1 Peter 3:21 Baptism is: A burial  and resurrection  with Christ (Rom. 6:3–4). A form  or pattern of the gospel we obey from the heart (Rom. 6:17). The moment when God, by His operation, washes away sins through the blood of Christ. Just as water separated those inside  the ark from those outside , baptism marks the separation between the old life of sin and the new life in Christ. 8. The God Who Closes the Door One final detail in the flood narrative is easy to overlook: “And the Lord shut him in.”—Genesis 7:16 Noah didn’t close the door. God did. The same God who shut the ark’s door now adds  the saved to the church (Acts 2:47). Salvation is His work from start to finish. Christ is “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:9). Grace is extended. Faith responds. Obedience walks through the door. God secures the salvation. Conclusion: Will You Respond Like Noah? Noah’s story is not just about an ancient flood—it’s about grace offered and grace received . The world was guilty. God was just. Grace provided a way. Faith obeyed the plan. We live in a world again consumed with its own desires, often indifferent to God’s warnings. But just as in Noah’s day, grace is still available. The question is not whether God has provided a way of salvation. The question is whether we, like Noah, will respond in obedient faith. Have you entered the ark Christ built?

The story of Noah’s flood is one of the most well-known accounts in all of Scripture. Four of the first eleven chapters of Genesis are devoted to this single event—more space than is given to the creation week itself. Next to creation, the flood of Noah’s day is the most significant single event in earth’s history . And yet, it is also one of the most attacked. Modern skeptics, driven by evolutionary thinking, dismiss the flood as myth because it conflicts with their claim that “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (2 Pet. 3:4). But Peter said those who deny God’s past judgment are “willingly ignorant”  of what truly happened. In this post, we’ll walk through what Scripture says about the flood, why it happened, whether it’s even possible—and what it means for us today. 1. Why God Sent the Flood Genesis paints a sobering picture of the world before the flood: “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5) Humanity had exploded in number. When you add the genealogies of Genesis 5 and consider lifespans averaging about 912 years, mathematicians estimate the pre-flood population could have reached a billion people . Two family lines emerge in the narrative: Cain and his descendants  – representing rebellion and ungodliness Seth and his descendants  – representing those who sought to follow God Over time, the godly line compromised. “The sons of God” (those striving to honor the Lord) began to intermarry with “the daughters of men” (those walking in sin), and the influence of wickedness spread. Righteousness became the exception rather than the rule. God’s response was decisive: “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth.” (Gen. 6:7) Yet in the midst of this dark verdict, a ray of hope appears: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” (Gen. 6:8) Noah was an island of righteousness in a sea of corruption. Because of his faithfulness, God granted a 120-year probationary period . During that time, Noah built the ark and preached righteousness, warning people of coming judgment. But when the rain finally fell, only Noah and his family entered the ark. 2. Could the Ark Really Have Held All Those Animals? Critics often mock the idea that Noah could have gathered and housed “two of every kind” of land animal. But when we actually apply the biblical details, the account proves reasonable. Kinds vs. Modern Species Scripture speaks of animals according to their kind , a broader category than today’s scientific term “species.” For example: Noah did not need to bring two wolves, two coyotes, two dingoes, two huskies, etc. He needed a breeding pair from the dog kind , from which today’s variety could easily arise. The same is true for other animals. The number of original “kinds” is much smaller than the number of modern species. The Ark’s Capacity God gave precise dimensions: Length: 300 cubits (~450 feet) Width: 50 cubits (~75 feet) Height: 30 cubits (~45 feet) That’s roughly the storage space of 520 railroad boxcars . Estimates suggest Noah needed room for somewhere between 16,000 and 35,000 animal kinds ; using the high estimate and counting males and females, that’s about 70,000 animals . Advanced physics students at Leicester University even tested these figures and concluded that this number does not exceed the ark’s capacity . When you remember that: Only land-dwelling, air-breathing animals were aboard Many animals could have been young, smaller specimens Food and water storage used the enormous lower decks …the ark narrative is not only possible—it’s efficient. 3. Evidence That a Global Flood Really Happened If a world-engulfing flood truly occurred, we would expect to find evidence— both historical and geological . We do. Flood Legends Around the World Anthropologists who study ancient cultures report that over 500 flood legends  exist worldwide. Civilizations separated by oceans and language families still tell stories of: A worldwide flood A favored family was saved in a boat Animals preserved The sending out of birds to find land This is precisely what we would expect if all post-flood peoples descended from those who survived on Noah’s ark and later scattered from Babel (Gen. 11:1–9). They carried the memory of the flood with them. The Fossil Record: A Monument to Catastrophe Evolutionists rely heavily on the fossil record to support their timelines of “millions of years.” But the evidence actually points to rapid, large-scale burial: Many fossils are preserved in “action poses” —fish in the middle of eating other fish, animals giving birth, creatures frozen mid-movement. These details indicate sudden death and rapid burial in sediment, not slow, gradual processes. In addition: Marine fossils are found on every continent , including high in the Himalayan Mountains and deep in desert regions like the Sahara and the American Southwest. Vast layers of sedimentary rock—containing similar fossil groups—extend across continents, with flat, featureless boundaries between layers, not the expected signs of millions of years of erosion. All of this is perfectly consistent with the biblical description of: “the fountains of the great deep” breaking up and “the windows of heaven” being opened (Gen. 7:11). In short: the world that then was… perished  (2 Pet. 3:6). 4. The Flood and the Age of the Earth The global flood poses a devastating threat to evolutionary timelines. If such a catastrophe occurred: It would completely reshape Earth's geology. It would compress the “millions of years” assigned to fossil layers into a single, year-long event. This is precisely why many evolutionists deny the flood at all costs. If the flood stands, their entire system collapses. But Peter said scoffers would deliberately ignore  this very event: “For this they willingly are ignorant of… the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” (2 Pet. 3:5–6) 5. A Changed World—and a Coming Judgment The world before the flood was very different: A globally warm climate No major weather fronts colliding to produce violent storms The earth watered by a mist, not by rainfall (Gen. 2:5–6) The flood marked the end of that world and the beginning of the one we now know—a world marred by: Earthquakes Volcanoes Hurricanes and tornadoes Eroded landscapes and shifting continents These natural disasters are not random accidents; they are ongoing reminders of God’s judgment on sin  and previews of a greater judgment yet to come. Peter ties the past flood directly to the future: “The heavens and the earth, which are now… are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment.” (2 Pet. 3:7) God once judged the world with water. He will one day judge it with fire. 6. Noah’s Ark and Our Only Hope Noah’s ark was more than a massive ship—it was an act of grace. God provided a way of escape. For 120 years, Noah preached and prepared. The door stood open. But when the rain began, only eight souls  were saved. Today, Christ is our ark of safety. The same God who judged the ancient world has provided a new and living way of salvation through His Son. As in Noah’s day, judgment is certain—but so is mercy for those who respond in faith and obedience. Conclusion: Will You Find Grace in the Eyes of the Lord? The flood is not just a children’s story about animals and a boat. It is a sobering testimony that: God is patient—but not indifferent. Sin has consequences—personal and global. God judges—but He also provides salvation. When the final day comes, will you stand among those who scoffed at God’s warnings, or among those—like Noah—who found grace in His sight? The door of the ark is still open. Christ still saves. Now is the time to enter.

“And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” —Genesis 1:31 In the beginning, God looked at His finished creation and declared it  very good. No crime. No disease. No storms. No death. The ground yielded food without toil. Animals lived in harmony with man. Most importantly, humanity walked in close fellowship with the Creator. That world no longer exists. Scripture tells us exactly what changed it: “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.”—Romans 5:12 From that moment forward, sin has left devastation in its wake. In this post, we’ll trace how sin changed the world —physically, historically, and spiritually—and why the only true hope is found in Christ. 1. The First Shockwave: Sin in Eden Genesis 3 records the first act of rebellion against God. Adam and Eve chose their own way over God’s command, and the consequences were immediate and far-reaching. Pain in Childbirth God told Eve: “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.” (Gen. 3:16) Childbirth was not originally designed to be filled with the pain and danger we now associate with it. Sin brought a direct physiological change to the body of a woman—a reminder that the world is not as God originally made it. Struggle in Marriage Headship in the home was established by creation, not by sin: “For Adam was first formed, then Eve” (1 Tim. 2:13). But sin distorted this relationship. Now: Husbands are tempted to rule harshly. Wives are tempted to resist God’s order. What God designed as a harmonious partnership has, in many homes, become a battleground of pride and selfishness. The Ground Is Cursed To Adam, God said: “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.” (Gen. 3:17–19) Before sin, food was abundant and easy to obtain. After sin, thorns and thistles appeared. Man would labor by the sweat of his brow, and his body would eventually return to the dust. The first shockwave of sin reshaped work, marriage, and even the physical world. 2. A World in Slow Decline Even after the fall, early mankind enjoyed remarkably long lives. Genesis 5 shows an average lifespan of about 912 years  before the flood. Creation was cursed—but still far more hospitable than it is today. A Different Climate Evidence from fossils indicates that the Earth once possessed a warm, lush climate almost worldwide: Deserts like the Sahara and Gobi contain fossils of plants and tools, showing they were once fertile and inhabited. Arctic islands north of Siberia are filled with frozen remains of elephants and other animals, along with fossil forests. How could such diversity exist in places now frozen or barren? The “firmament” of Genesis 1:7—a vast canopy of water vapor in the atmosphere that: Filtered harmful radiation Evened out temperatures across the globe Supported longevity and a stable climate No storms. No violent weather systems. Instead, God watered the earth with a mist that “watered the whole face of the ground” (Gen. 2:6). 3. The Flood: When the World That Was Perished As the population grew, so did wickedness. Roughly 1,700 years after creation, the world had possibly reached a billion people—and nearly all had turned away from God. “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”—Genesis 6:5 God’s response was a global judgment: “All the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.”—Genesis 7:11 The result was catastrophic: The water-vapor canopy collapsed as torrential rain fell for the first time. Underground water basins burst forth. The entire earth was flooded—even the mountains. Tectonic and volcanic upheaval reshaped the planet's surface. Peter describes it plainly: “The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.”—2 Peter 3:6 The pre-flood world quite literally no longer exists . What About the Fossil Record? Far from disproving the Bible, the fossil record fits a catastrophic global flood: Fossils are rarely formed today; they require sudden burial and rapid sedimentation. The flood provided exactly those conditions on a massive scale. The order of many fossils reflects mobility and ability to escape rising waters—not evolutionary advancement. Standard dating methods, such as radiocarbon, are limited in reliability beyond a few thousand years—ironically aligning with the biblical timeline of human history. 4. Why Many Deny the Flood (and the God Behind It) Peter warned that in the last days, scoffers would deny both the flood and the coming judgment: “They willingly are ignorant of… the world that then was… perished.”—2 Peter 3:5–6 Modern evolutionary theory rests on the assumption that “all things continue as they were from the beginning”—a direct contradiction of Scripture. Some attempt a compromise called theistic evolution , claiming that each “day” of creation represents thousands of years. They often misuse 2 Peter 3:8 (“one day is with the Lord as a thousand years”) to support this idea. But Peter’s point is not about creation days—it’s about God’s relationship to time. God is not limited by time; He will keep His promises regardless of how many years pass. The text says a day is as  a thousand years, not that it is  a thousand years. 5. More Consequences of Sin: Animals, Nations, and Cultures Sin not only changed climate and lifespan—it altered relationships across creation. Man and Animals Originally, man and animals shared peaceful coexistence. Man had dominion, but no creature feared him, and both man and animals ate plants (Gen. 1:28–30). After the flood, God said: “The fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth.”—Genesis 9:2 Animals now fear humans; some attack and kill. Man also began to use animals for food and sacrifices—another reminder that the world is no longer “very good.” Languages and Nations After the flood, God commanded humanity once again: “Be fruitful, and multiply… and replenish the earth.” (Gen. 9:1,7) Instead, mankind united in rebellion at Babel: “Let us build us a city and a tower… lest we be scattered abroad.” (Gen. 11:4) God responded by confusing their language. Instantly, communication fractured, and people scattered over the earth. From that moment came the language families, cultural divisions, and many of the misunderstandings and hostilities that still plague the world today. 6. The Deepest Consequence: Separation from God The physical consequences of sin are severe—disease, death, storms, broken relationships, natural disasters, and a cursed earth. But the worst consequence is spiritual: “Your iniquities have separated between you and your God.”—Isaiah 59:2 Sin’s most devastating effect is not what it does to our bodies or our planet, but what it does to our relationship with God. Left to ourselves, we are alienated, guilty, and helpless. And yet—even here—God’s grace shines. 7. The Second Adam: Christ Reverses What Sin Ruined Humanity’s great sin was the desire to be like God rather than submit to Him. In stunning contrast, Jesus—who is  God—humbled Himself: “Who, being in the form of God… made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant… and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”—Philippians 2:6–8 Where Adam rebelled, Christ obeyed. Where sin brought death, Christ brought resurrection. Where the flood judged the world, the cross offers salvation to the world. Conclusion: Living in a Changed World with a Living Hope Sin has changed everything: Our relationships Our work Our climate Our bodies Our cultures Our world But God has not changed. The same God who judged sin in Eden and in the flood also sent His Son to bear sin’s penalty and open the way back to Himself. We live in a fallen world—but we do not live without hope. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”—1 Corinthians 15:22 The question before each of us is eternal and straightforward: In a world changed by sin, will you remain in Adam—or come to Christ?

David’s words in Psalm 139 offer one of the most beautiful and intimate pictures in Scripture: “Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb… I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”—Psalm 139:13–14 In Part 1 , we explored God’s craftsmanship in the womb and His intentional design of every human being. In Part 2 , we turn to a tragic reality: not everyone sees life this way. How has our culture drifted so far from the biblical view of human worth? Why do millions treat the unborn as disposable, inconvenient, or sub-human? To answer these questions, we must understand the ideas that shaped modern attitudes toward life. 1. Roe v. Wade: The Turning Point That Changed a Nation On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide. The ruling opened the door for abortion on demand during the first trimester—and in practical reality, far beyond that. Since then, millions of unborn children —roughly 1.5 million annually for decades—have had their lives ended through procedures that burn, crush, or dismember the most vulnerable among us. Biblical truth stands in stark contrast: “Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord… Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them.”—Psalm 127:3–5 God calls children a blessing . Our culture increasingly treats them as a burden. 2. A Long History of Devaluing Human Life The devaluation of children is not new. Ancient Greek and Roman societies killed infants born with deformities. Pagan cultures practiced child sacrifice—including Israel when it drifted into idolatry (Ezek. 16:20). But in recent centuries, new philosophies emerged that led to modern disregard for the unborn. 3. Evolution and Eugenics: Deadly Ideas with Deadly Consequences The modern abortion mindset didn’t appear overnight—it was shaped by influential thinkers whose ideas still shape society today. Francis Galton — The Founder of Eugenics In 1883, Galton coined the word eugenics , meaning “good in birth.” Influenced by his cousin Charles Darwin, he believed society should eliminate the “undesirable” and multiply the “desirable.” Ernst Haeckel — The Fraud Behind “Embryo Evolution” Haeckel promoted the idea that human embryos go through stages of evolution in the womb. His drawings—used to justify abortion and deny the humanity of the unborn—were later exposed as fraudulent. Shockingly, some textbooks still repeat his false claims. Margaret Sanger — The Founder of Planned Parenthood Sanger echoed the same disturbing ideas: Advocated sterilizing the “feeble-minded” Supported eliminating “defectives” Claimed the most merciful thing for a poor infant was to kill it Her writings show a chilling contempt for the weak and vulnerable. These ideas eroded moral boundaries. When people see human beings as advanced animals rather than image-bearers of God, compassion collapses, and life becomes negotiable. 4. What the Bible Actually Says About Life in the Womb Far from being “potential persons,” Scripture always describes life in the womb as human life : Jacob and Esau were called “children” in the womb (Genesis 25:21–22) John the Baptist leapt for joy before birth (Luke 1:41) Jeremiah was known by God before birth (Jer. 1:5) The unborn were protected by law (Exodus 21:22–23) Scripture never speaks of a fetus as a “non-human.”God sees the unborn as fully human, fully valuable, and fully under His care. Life doesn’t become  human at birth—it begins at conception , when a unique individual with distinct DNA comes into existence. Humans beget humans, just as Scripture teaches. 5. A Culture Shaped by Evolution Has Lost Natural Affection Paul warned of a society that would lose what he called “natural affection” (Rom. 1:31). When a culture forgets God: Morality declines Families break down Children become expendable The weakest suffer We see this today in abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and in cold-hearted stories where children with Down syndrome are being denied life-saving care simply because they are considered “less desirable.” This is where evolutionary thinking inevitably leads. If human beings are merely highly evolved animals, then “value” becomes subjective. But God does not measure life that way. 6. God Values Every Life—Regardless of Ability, Age, or Circumstance To those who would discard the weak, God asks: “Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord?”—Exodus 4:11 Scripture affirms: Every child is made in God’s image Every life matters Every person deserves protection Even the unborn are included in God’s command: “Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”—Psalm 82:4 This consists of the smallest, quietest, and most vulnerable among us. Conclusion: We Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Human life is not the product of evolution. We are not animals. We are not accidents. We are fearfully and wonderfully made . David saw it . The prophets saw it. Jesus affirmed it . And Scripture teaches it from Genesis to Revelation. Every life—from the elderly to the unborn—is precious in God’s sight. May God’s people stand firmly, compassionately, and courageously for the truth: All human life has value because all human life bears the image of God.

Few questions weigh more heavily on the human heart than this: Where did we come from? Are we the result of a cosmic accident—an unintended outcome of random processes? Or are we the intentional creation of a loving God? David knew the answer. Writing under inspiration, he declared: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”—Psalm 139:14 The psalmist pulls back the curtain on the miracle of human life—a truth modern science is only beginning to glimpse. This blog post explores four key truths from Scripture that reveal the astonishing design, purpose, and value of every human being. 1. Human Life Begins with God’s Creative Hand David describes God forming his inward parts and “weaving” him together in his mother’s womb. The Hebrew word for woven together  refers to embroidery—something crafted with intention, skill, and care. Modern technology—ultrasound, 4D imaging, and genetics—now confirms what David proclaimed 3,000 years ago: human development is not random. It is structured, ordered, and breathtakingly intricate. We are not accidents. We are artwork. 2. Every Member Has Purpose—Both in the Body and in the Church Paul draws a powerful parallel between the physical body and the spiritual body—the church: “God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.”—1 Corinthians 12:18 Just as every organ in the human body has a purpose, every Christian has a role. When body parts stop working, the body weakens and eventually dies. The same is true spiritually. Every Christian matters. Every gift matters. Every act of service matters. 3. Evolution vs. Creation: Two Conflicting Stories Our culture is saturated with the message of evolution from childhood through adulthood. It is presented as fact, celebrated in the media, reinforced in education, and assumed in society. But evolution and Scripture cannot both be true. They tell opposite stories: Bible Evolution Man is created in God’s image Man is descended from animals Human life is intentional Human life is accidental Each creature reproduces after its kind All life came from a common ancestor Man has an immortal soul Man is only physical The biblical account states clearly: “So God created man in His own image…”—Genesis 1:27 This image is not physical—God is spirit (John 4:24)—but spiritual and moral: Reason Creativity Moral consciousness The ability to choose The possession of an immortal soul These traits distinguish humans from all other animals. 4. Does Science Support Evolution—or the Bible? Evolution fails to explain humanity’s origin: • Fossils don’t support human evolution 95% of all fossils are sea creatures. Only a tiny fraction (<0.1%) are land vertebrates—and almost none are human. The entire fossil record of humans could fit in a single casket. Much of what evolutionists call “evidence” consists of isolated jawbones, teeth, or partial skull fragments—often interpreted with a great deal of imagination. Some examples historically promoted as “missing links” turned out to be: Misinterpreted human remains Animal remains Or, in one case, the tooth of an extinct pig (Nebraska Man) • Mutations do not create new information For evolution to be true, mutations would need to build new genetic structures. But scientifically, mutations destroy  information—they do not add it. • Natural selection does not turn one kind into another Natural selection only filters existing  genetic information. It can’t create new kinds of creatures. It only helps organisms survive in different environments—exactly what we would expect from a wise Creator. • DNA originally created by God was perfect Adam and Eve carried pure DNA. After sin entered the world, mutations accumulated over centuries, leading to aging, disease, and shortened lifespans—just as Scripture describes. The Bible and science are not at odds. True science confirms creation—not evolution. 5. What It Really Means to Be Made in the Image of God To be made in God’s image is to possess: A spiritual nature that survives death A moral capacity written on the heart Creative ability that mirrors the Creator The power to choose right or wrong An eternal destiny Animals do not wrestle with eternity. Humans do—because we were made for eternity. We are not merely dust; we are dust infused with spirit. Conclusion: You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Here is the beautiful truth: God designed us God shaped us in the womb God breathed into us an immortal soul God made us in His image God sent Christ to redeem us God desires a relationship with us We are not accidents. We are creations. We are loved. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, the consequences were devastating. Paradise was lost. Suffering entered the world. Death became a tragic reality. Yet even in that moment of judgment, God spoke a promise that would echo through all of Scripture—a promise that would lead humanity from Eden… to Calvary. In Genesis 3:14–19, God pronounced judgment on the serpent, the woman, and the man. But embedded in His words was the first prophecy of a Redeemer—the One who would crush the serpent’s head and redeem mankind. Today, we explore the powerful connection between Eden , where sin began, and Calvary , where redemption was accomplished. 1. The Tragedy of Eden—and the First Glimpse of Hope Before sin, Adam and Eve lived in a perfect world—one without pain, death, suffering, or separation from God. Every need was provided. Every relationship was whole. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed, the cost was catastrophic: The ground was cursed Work became exhausting Sorrow entered childbearing The relationship between husband and wife was strained Humanity was driven out of the garden Death entered the world Yet even in this moment of judgment, God gave the first promise of a Savior: “It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”—Genesis 3:15 This single verse introduces the unfolding story of redemption. Satan would wound the coming Redeemer—but the Redeemer would deliver the crushing, final blow. 2. Eve Was Deceived—But the Seed of Woman Would Bring Redemption Paul tells us, “Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”  (1 Tim. 2:14) Eve’s failure had tragic consequences—not only for herself, but for all humanity. But God did something remarkable. The very one deceived by Satan would become the vessel through whom God would bring forth the Savior. Mercy triumphs—even in the garden. From the beginning, redemption was rooted in grace. 3. Without Death, There Is No Redemption Before sin, there was no death. When God said, “Thou shalt surely die,”  the phrase literally means, “dying, you shall die.”  Physical death began its process the moment they sinned. God drove Adam and Eve from the garden so they would not eat from the tree of life and live forever in a fallen condition (Gen. 3:22–23). This removal was not cruelty—it was mercy. Why? Because without death, there can be no redemption . Scripture makes it clear: “Without shedding of blood is no remission.”—Hebrews 9:22 Under the Law of Moses, animal sacrifices rolled sins forward year by year. But they could not remove sin entirely. Something more was needed. Someone perfect. This is why Christ came. 4. Christ: The Perfect Sacrifice That Eden Pointed Toward Hebrews 10 reminds us that God never took pleasure in endless animal sacrifices. Instead: A body was prepared for Christ He came to do the Father’s will He offered Himself “once for all” Christ lived the perfect life no other man could live. He died a death no other sacrifice could accomplish. He rose with a victory no enemy could overturn. Where Adam brought death, Christ brought life. 5. Adam and Christ: Two Men, Two Paths, Two Destinies Paul calls Adam a “figure” or type of Christ (Rom. 5:14). In some profound ways, Adam foreshadows Jesus—but Christ is always superior. Here are several powerful parallels: • Both had supernatural beginnings Adam was formed from dust. Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. • Both are heads of a family Adam: the physical family. Christ: the spiritual family. • Both had their sides opened Adam’s side was opened to bring forth Eve. Christ’s side was pierced on the cross, and from His sacrifice came His bride—the church. • Both represent a way of living Adam represents the way of sin, death, and separation. Christ represents the way of righteousness, life, and reconciliation. But Scripture is clear: We do not  inherit Adam’s guilt—only the consequences of his sin (Ezek. 18:20) . Nor does Christ automatically save us—salvation requires obedience (Heb. 5:9). Adam and Christ stand before us as two paths —and every person must choose which one to follow. 6. Calvary Reverses What Eden Destroyed Through Adam’s sin, death entered the world. Through Christ’s resurrection, death is conquered. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”—1 Corinthians 15:22 At Calvary, Christ fulfilled the promise of Genesis 3:15.The serpent bruised His heel—but Jesus crushed the serpent’s head. Conclusion: Which Way Will You Choose? Eden and Calvary stand as two great pillars in human history: Eden: where sin began Calvary: where redemption was accomplished Jesus describes these two paths as the broad way and the narrow way (Matt. 7:13–14). Every soul must choose. Will you follow the way of Adam… or the way of Christ?

When the apostle Paul wrote, “Now all these things happened unto them for examples…”  (1 Cor. 10:11), he reminded us that the Old Testament was written not only as history, but as instruction. Though we live under the New Covenant today, the stories preserved in Genesis still carry wisdom for every generation. One of the most significant of these is the account of Adam and Eve. Eden is more than an ancient garden—it is a classroom where God teaches us about sin, influence, honesty, and the human heart. Below are four powerful Lessons from Eden  that still shape our walk with God today. 1. One Sin Can Change Everything Before sin entered the world, creation existed in perfect harmony. God declared it “very good” (Gen. 1:31). Work was joyful, relationships were pure, the earth provided for man, and death was unknown. But one act of disobedience shattered that peace: Pain in childbirth increased The relationship between husband and wife became strained Man would now struggle to survive by the sweat of his face Physical death entered the human experience Today, people often defend their actions by saying, “It’s my life—I’m not hurting anyone.” Eden teaches otherwise. Sin harms: just ask the family devastated by a drunk driver, or the spouse wounded by unfaithfulness, or the church harmed by false teaching. Sin always harms, and its consequences always reach farther than we expect. Eden reminds us: There is no such thing as a harmless sin. 2. Sin Is Contagious Eve sinned first—but Adam soon followed (Gen. 3:6). One act of disobedience created a ripple effect. Influence matters. Throughout Scripture, God warns His people about the power of sinful influence: “Evil companionship corrupts good morals.” (1 Cor. 15:33) Jesus condemned the Pharisees for turning converts into “twofold more the child of hell.” (Matt. 23:15) Paul warned that allowing open sin in the church is like leaven that spreads through the whole lump (1 Cor. 5:6–7) Young people especially feel this pull. Many who once resisted drinking, drugs, or sexual immorality eventually gave in—not because they suddenly stopped believing these things were wrong, but because they surrounded themselves with those who did them. Parents must take this truth seriously. Rarely does a child rise above the spiritual level of his or her home. Scripture calls us not only to choose what is “good,” but what is best  (Phil. 1:9–10). The standard we set today will shape the standard our children live by tomorrow. 3. You Cannot Hide Sin from God When God came walking in the garden, Adam and Eve hid themselves (Gen. 3:8). But their hiding place could not conceal their sin. It still cannot. “Where shall I flee from Thy presence?” David asked (Ps. 139:7–12). Darkness cannot hide us. Distance cannot hide us. Silence cannot hide us. God sees every thought, every action, every motive. Ananias and Sapphira learned this the hard way (Acts 5:1–10). They believed their deception was private—but God exposed it instantly. The same is true today. Some sins are revealed in this life, and some follow after (1 Tim. 5:24), but none will remain hidden forever. Because of this, Scripture calls us not to run from  God when we sin—but to run to  Him: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…”—1 John 1:9 Confession is the shortest path to forgiveness. 4. The Root of Sin Is Selfishness The serpent persuaded Eve by appealing to self: “You shall not surely die.” “You will be like gods.” (Gen. 3:4–5) At its core, sin is the decision to elevate my will  above God’s will . Sin says: My desires over God’s wisdom My pride over God’s authority My way over God’s way Jesus made this foundational truth unmistakably clear: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself , and take up his cross, and follow me.”—Matthew 16:24 Every sin is an act of self-rule. Every act of obedience is an act of surrender. The question Adam and Eve faced is the same question we face daily: Who will be Lord in my life—God or self? A Final Word: Eden Still Speaks Though the events of Eden took place thousands of years ago, their lessons are as fresh as ever: Sin is destructive Sin spreads Sin cannot be hidden Sin is rooted in selfishness The way sin entered the world is the way it enters every heart. The temptations Eve faced—pleasure, pride, self-will—remain the temptations we face. Eden calls us to vigilance, humility, obedience, and dependence on God’s wisdom rather than our own. As Solomon wrote, “There is no new thing under the sun.” (Eccl. 1:9) And as long as sin exists, the lessons of Eden will always be needed.