But What If...

But what if I could paint you a different picture?

Will we have noses in heaven? If we held our nose in heaven, would we die? So, we will have noses but they will not be necessary for sustaining life. What will be the purpose of noses then? Perhaps to smell the roses?

Will we have genitals in heaven? If we never had sex in heaven, would the human race cease to exist? So, we will have genitals but they will not be necessary for sustaining life. What will be the purpose of genitals then? Perhaps to physically love one another?

And what if I could paint you this picture?

What if before the fall, when our times stretched eternal, and we knew nothing of separation, rejection, possessiveness or neglect, we were free to develop deep intimate relationships in the oneness of humanity without the restraints of time and sin?

What if marriage is like the Law? What if it is in place due to our sinful natures? And the nature of our current existence?

See, today, if I were to marry, I would live, at best, 60 or so years with this man. In 60 years, I could never know all of him. First, because every person is too rich and deep to be fully known in such a short amount of time. Second, because he would be changing and growing. Third, because I am fallen and the sin in my life would prevent me from seeing him clearly. And so God, in his wisdom and love, sees our predicament and gives us marriage to help us out - one  person for this lifetime - learn the art of love - baby steps.  Perhaps like he gave the ancient Hebrews food regulations to help them out in the midst of pagan cultures.

And what if the example of marriage is used by Paul to describe Jesus' relationship to the church because in that culture it reflected protection, provision, love and intimacy? But when has Jesus' relationship with the church ever been exclusive? Is he not the one who leaves the 99 to seek the one?

What if I could paint a picture...

posted by Headless-in-GR @ 7/01/2004 10:06:00 AM