A Covenant People

Marriage

The essential difference between those who are married and those who aren't is a covenant. It's a short, little, ritual where the couple vows to be faithful to each other. They commit to stay together, no matter what, until death separates them, or forever if they do it in the House of the Lord. It only takes a couple of minutes. It isn't hard. We build up a huge fanfare and hoopla that surround it, but the actual ritual is really simple. The vows can be done for free, doesn't take much time, and is readily available to all.

So, why would any couple want to live together as if they were married, but not be married? They often say, "It's just a ritual, we love each other and don't need all the rites."

When a couple is "living together" as if they were married they have an entirely different relationship from a marriage. Without that commitment there is no expectation of permanence. This defines the couple as co-habitants, separate and distinct individuals who help each other. Each is responsible for himself, but they can fill each other's needs. "They're sharing a drink they call loneliness, but it's better than drinking alone." (Billy Joel, Piano Man) It's not possible to be connected so they don't try, allowing them to live in harmony.

On the other hand, a couple who makes a commitment has an obligation to each other. They don't just mutually help the other get through life and fill needs like a friend, rather they strive to become one. With the promise of faithfulness comes the possibility of oneness. In Spanish there is a saying, "Poder es querer!" (to be able, is to want)

As the couple struggles to work-out their problems they develop trust. Trust allows them to let go of fear and truly love from the heart. Without the covenant there can be no trust nor any possibility of unity. The couple who trusts with all their hearts has no boundaries. Their love grows continually deeper. The relationship doesn't remain on a superficial friendship or mutual-benefit partnership, but rather becomes a fulfillment of unity of the heart. It keeps adding dimensions and depth, getting better and better, without a hint of staleness or loneliness.

There is no comparison between those who are married and those aren't. One is a business arrangement, the other is a life of fulfillment.

Sex

Since the sexual relationship is so much a part of this, I think a few words are in order. The couple who lives together has a goal of filling each other's needs. Part of this is the sexual relationship. To them, sex is like food. When they are hungry, they eat. The food fills them for a time, but they get hungry again. There is no end to this. They need each other in the same way they need food.

A couple with a covenant, on the other hand, has a different goal. They want to become one. They don't have a primary goal to fill needs, but rather to blend their hearts. They are no longer two, but rather one.

At first, a sexual relationship is necessary for the avowed couple to feel the connection and develop trust -- they fill each other's needs. As trust and love deepen, their intimate relations become a sacred gift that only the two can share. Rather than filling needs, it is a token of the unity they have, and the love in their hearts. It is so much deeper and so much more fulfilling to make a connection with the heart of another. It is so far beyond gratification of desires that there is no comparison. They are different.

On the outside two couples, one living together, the other married, may look the same. But on the inside, in the intimate depths of the heart, there is a world of difference. One is an object, a piece of meat, the other is a symphony, Ode to Joy.

Christianity

Modern Christians have the same problems as marriage. Christ informs us that we need to be one; that we love one another; and make a covenant with Him. The unity with one another and especially with Him requires a commitment. However, most Christians are only "living together" with God. They refuse to make the commitment and become one of the covenant people of God.

Baptism is a short, simple ritual that can be performed in any body of water. There is no cost for doing it. There is nothing to hinder anyone from getting into the water and actually performing it. However, so many Christians are refusing. They ask Jesus if they can just live together for a time.

The un-baptized Christians are like couples who live together. They appear on the outside to be the covenant people of Christ, living His commandments, and doing good to others, but there is a world of difference from those who have made that covenant.

Forgiveness

The way sexual needs define the man and woman, the need for forgiveness defines our relationship to God. This is the bottom-line of our reconciliation to Him. Without it we are lost forever, never to be with Him again. With it, we can be happy, return to Him and praise His name forever. Without it we are lost and alone, with it we have hope.

The covenant of baptism changes the nature of our relationship to God in the same way marriage changes a couple. The non-covenant Christian is only looking to get his needs filled. He knows he needs Jesus in order to be saved. He asks for Jesus to fill the gaps that he cannot. The Christian repents of sins, and the Lord forgives them. The Lord is his partner, but they remain independent.

On the other hand, those who pass through the ritual washing have so much more available to them. The nature of the relationship with God changes such that the covenant people can become one with Christ. This is not superficial or temporary, or filling needs, but rather each takes upon himself the name of Christ and their hearts melt together as one. They are part of His family. They are part of Him. He becomes their Father, the father of their re-birth into His family. They only do His will.

The first part of this relationship is based on filling needs. Jesus offers them a remission of sins to carry them through until they develop trust in Him and learn of Him. Forgiveness is easy, it fills the need. God offers instant forgiveness to all who ask -- it's free for the asking. However, what really makes a deep relationship with God is a change of heart.

A changed heart

The Gift of the Holy Ghost allows the acolyte to learn and grow in the Lord. Sins are forgiven, just like with every Christian, but the goal goes so much beyond that. When the baptized Christian gives his heart to the Lord, he is purified and cleansed. The mighty change of heart makes him one with God. He has the heart of God. He only does what God would do. He only says what God would say. He gains the knowledge of God. He develops the power of God. He becomes one with Him in every way.  Those without this covenant remain in their sinful state, as one Christian bumper sticker reads: "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."

There is no way to compare the two relationships. One is a benefactor giving you money to pay all your bills, the other is becoming an equal partner with the ruler of the world. In the first, you are still just you, but without debts, whereas in the second you become much greater than you are, owning everything, and being able to manage it, with Him.

The simple ritual of baptism, performed by one who is authorized by God to do it, is an essential part of becoming one of the Covenant People of God. There is no other way. This covenant makes all the difference in our relationship to our Creator. The Scriptures are full of injunctions to make this covenant. God wants us to do it. He wants us to have a covenant relationship with Him. He doesn't want to just "live together" though it be in harmony. He wants all of His children, every one, to become a Covenant People. He wants us to give our whole heart to Him. He waits for us to choose to make the covenant.