Image bearers 1 - dying to self

eNewsletters

User Login

Image bearers 1 - dying to self

Written by Mr. Trev McCallum

Views

204

Favoured

1850_hungarian_-_jozsef_molnar_-_abrahams_journey_from_ur_to_canaan.jpg

Family Bible reading with a simple exposition by the father seems to be a lost art. I mean exposition that does not put your children to sleep. My children have all had colds for a few days. So have I. This makes small concentration spans minute (I include mine here)! However, as the head of the household it is my responsibility to ensure my children are taught the Word of God. This does not mean a gravel eating exercise. The flow of Scripture is not that of a systematic theology text book. Rather, it is stylistically alive. Poetry, imagery, narratives, history, symbolism and every other type of literary device springs forth from its pages. The Bible’s rhythm and flow is the paradigm in which God covenantally deals with His people through history. By His Word God summons His people. He separates them from the peoples round about and delivers His ethical standards to them. The covenant warnings and blessings are stipulated; and perpetual covenantal renewal is affirmed.^{^[1]} Parents are to pass on a living faith. Children’s hearts are to be won to their parents and for Christ. This does not come without labor. Dominion requires work. Godly offspring take plenty of watering, feeding and tendering. Weeds sprout up overnight, as if from nowhere. They are ugly and unwanted by any gardener. A garden full of weeds points to one thing. On the other hand; good, healthy plants require diligence, sacrifice and hard work. They do not sprout up overnight; time and nurture are needed. This article attempts to start a discussion on familial responsibilities. We need to begin with the father.

Raising a God fearing generation starts with fathers ( Luke 1:17, cf. Malachi 4:4-6). Men whose hearts have been circumcised ( Colossians 2:10-11), minds renewed ( Romans 12:2) and lives transformed by the power of the Holy Ghost (2 Corinthians 3:18). Men who take the dominion mandate seriously. Now, I better explain that mandate as it tends to ruffle feathers when not explained. It conjures up images of taking control by brute force. Well, that is the exact antithesis of what I believe the Bible presents this mandate to be. As fathers we need to understand who we are through the lens of Scripture.^[2] “Bible eyes” are required. Man was created by God in the context of covenant, the dominion covenant. Thus the dominion mandate in Genesis 1:26-28 is inescapable for man.^[3] Man was made as God’s image bearer. He was to go out from the garden (i.e. the land), down into the world and bring all of creation under the influence of God. This dominion mandate is anchored in man being God’s image-bearer. “It is only because man is under God, as God’s image-bearer that he possesses limited sovereignty over nature."^[4] The ethical requirements of the covenant cannot be separated from man’s responsibility to subdue the earth. In other words; we cannot truly take dominion without covenantal obedience ( Deuteronomy 29). God requires us to be living sacrifices ( Romans 12:1-3) through faithful obedience to His Law ( Luke 6:45-47, John 14:16, Romans 3:31). Dominion is received and flows from faithfulness. God has called us by His Word, separated us from the ungodly, stipulated the ethics of His covenant, given warnings for disobedience and blessings for obedience, and instituted the generational continuation of the covenant. This is the context of who you are as a (grand) father, (grand) mother, sister, brother or child. Fathers, the opening pages of God’s Word define who you are; God’s image bearer who is to re-order your world according to the ethical standards of the Bible. At its core your identity is familial.

Our orientation needs to be reorganized by God’s two edged sword. Just as the high priest cut up and ordered the sacrifices, so our lives need to be divided and re-ordered by the Bible. Principally your are God’s image bearer, who is primarily a husband and a father. This must be understood if we desire strong, evangelical and culture changing churches. As husbands and fathers we are not principally church workers or employees or preachers or evangelists or anything else. Through “Bible eyes” we are royal slaves of the High King. We are His image bearers; who are primarily husbands and fathers. As a father my primary role is not to “bring home the bacon.” This is 1930s-70s nostalgia. It does not reveal the whole truth. Actually, it does not come close. It is too easy for a father to go out, earn a living and burden his wife with all the child rearing responsibilities. This lifestyle does not bring about revival, reform or intergenerational transformation. In the Christian worldview death is antecedent to new life, growth and prosperity. As a father you must die to yourself. Your career (which is important) is not your chief end; it is not that which defines you. Something far greater does. As an image bearing gardener there is far more rewarding and difficult work. Tilling, planting, fertilizing, watering, pruning and protecting the garden God has given you is far more challenging (and rewarding) than your career. Of course all good gardeners will tell you that perseverance brings about an abundant harvest. It is this slow, day-by-day process which transforms the world. “[T]he center of our calling is not to exercise dominion out in the jungle where we make our living, but in our homes.”^[5]Fathers, you are summoned by God to redefine your identity with “Bible eyes” and then re-organise your family life in that light. The task may seem daunting. It is. There is much work to be done. Christ is still working through history ( 1 Corinthians 15). He continues to sanctify^[6] His bride. Fathers, without God graciously working in your heart you cannot seek to do all to the glory of Christ. First repent of your sins and seek God’s help in restructuring your life according to His priorities.

Our role as father should reflect the offices of Christ; a prophet, priest and king. This is more difficult than earning a living or watching the box.

1.      A prophet is principally not a “Christianised” version of a fortune teller. God’s prophet brought His Word to bear upon His people. This is daunting. We are to know God’s Word in order to declare it. This involves studying the Bible, reading weighty theological books and then applying the Bible to our family. Biblical conflict resolution does not revolve around “time heals all wounds.” Rather, fathers are to instruct their families in the Scriptures. Sin must be (lovingly) found out, pointed out, repented of and forgiveness granted. As a prophet you, the father, are to shape your family’s words, thoughts and deeds after God’s commandments. In doing so you shall wash your wife in the Word ( Ephesians 5:25-33) and teach your children the things of God ( Ephesians 6:4, cf. Deuteronomy 6).^[7]

2.      Our function of a priest must be carefully understood. Christ, as the High Priest, atoned for the sins of His people. You cannot do this for your family. Jesus’ shed blood has fully accomplished this. It would be blasphemous to draw an analogy in this particular priestly function. What we must consider is that the priest also represented the people to God. Job offered sacrifices to the Lord and prayed for His children ( Job 1). Likewise, we are to represent our families in God’s court. We are to prayerfully come up before God to plead for our families, as Moses did (e.g. Exodus 32:31). Beseech the Lord to mould your children as mighty arrows in the hands of a warrior ( Psalm 127); ready to engage in the battle. Pray with and for your wife; that you may both submit to your Bible defined familial roles.^[8]

3.      Aussie blokes reckon kingship is the easy bit. Surely my house (or at least the shed) is the castle I rule; it even comes fully equipped with household slaves and all! I go out and bring home the bacon, kick off my shoes, un-girdle my belt and slouch on the couch! My wife, children, school and Sunday school teachers do the rest. This cannot be further from the truth. Biblical kingship is oriented towards responsibilities. Kings protected the people of God. The king was responsible for the covenant community’s safety. The king is also responsible for all that occurs within his kingdom. As king you are responsible for every spot and blemish on your wife and children. It is your duty to wash them through teaching them the ordinances of God.^[9]This all seems too difficult. It is…without knowing that as the husband you are also part of the Bride of Christ. The Husband has done it all. Christ has redeemed His people. He has conquered all. The Holy Ghost has been given to enable you with the power to accomplish all that is required of you. Even though we dimly reflect the glory of Christ, we are to take courage in His triumph. Jesus is the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Fathers are to submit to Him. Dominion does not come at the edge of the sword (e.g. the Islamic worldview). It is a process of faithful servitude. Fathers, only if you die to yourself, sacrificing your time to serve your family, (as prophet, priest and king) will you receive Biblical dominion. Submission to the doubled edged sword of God’s Word will lead to your life being divided and restructured. Only via faithful obedience worked out through servant hood will dominion be given to the church ( Matthew 28), family by family.

Christianity is a language centric religion. God spoke all things into existence ( Genesis 1:3), He continued to speak (i.e. reveal) His covenant through diverse means ( Hebrews 1), Christ is the Word of God ( John 1) and we are to hear the Word of the Lord (e.g. Deuteronomy 4:10). Our faith is primarily auditory, not visual ( Hebrews 11). Historically, as Christianity infiltrated societies it cultivated weighty linguistic expression. Language, poetry, music, books and all forms of literature thrived within Christian cultures. On the other hand; language deteriorates as Christianity becomes diluted within a society; swearing is a prime example of linguistic frustration.^[10] To practice your role of prophet, priest and king, fathers, you should seek to:

1.      Pray for your children ( Job 1) and for/with your wife. Ask God to give you the grace to serve your family as Christ did His church.
2.      Read to your children, teaching them the Scriptures ( Ephesians 6:4). Youth Groups are not the Biblical means for your children’s Bible learning.
3.      Read weighty literature to your family, soaking them in glorious stories and truths.
4.      Sing Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs together as a family ( Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)...not Mickey Mouse fluff.
5.      Worship together as a family; in family and corporate (i.e. Lords Day) worship. Sunday School is simply not a Biblical option, it age segragates families and cannot be found in the Scriptures.

End Notes

¹ Bull, M, 2009, Totus Christus, A Biblical Theology of the Whole Christ, Review Edition, Bull Artistry, Katoomba, pp. 70-71.² Sproul Jr, RC, 2008, Bound for Glory, A Practical Handbook for Raising a Victorious Family, Second Printing, Tolle Lege Press, White Hall, pp. 49-50.
³ North, G, 1987, The Dominion Covenant: Genesis, Institute for Christian Economics, Tyler, p. 36.⁴ Ibid., North, 1987, p. 28
⁵ Ibid., Sproul Jr, 2008, p. 52. Emphasis mine.⁶ We must note that once Christ has effectually called us we are sanctified in the ultimate sense. We are righteous before God as He has purged our sins and we are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. But sanctification is not limited to this, there is more. It is also a process. We are not perfect at the time of our salvation. Rather we become more and more conformed to the image of Christ through living a life of obedience to His Word (historically or through time). And once we die and enter the presence of God we become perfectly sanctified (i.e. eschatologically).
⁷ Ibid., Sproul Jr, 2008, p. 56.⁸ Ibid., Sproul Jr, 2008, pp. 58-59.⁹ Ibid., Sproul Jr, 2008, pp. 59-60.

¹⁰ Language information gleaned from James B Jordan’s lectures; An Amazing Exposition of THE REVELATION.