My dear readers,

(Excerpts from Building Firm Foundations, Dr SH Tow)

1. Before you plunge in!
Whether Christian or not, marriage is for keeps, for the Maker knows best. He made us that way, to function best on a one-to-one partnership on a life-long basis. So we repeat, for best results refer to the Maker! Marriage is not simply physical, not just for the satisfaction of the flesh and its biological urge. It is far more, and our Maker has clear guidelines for us to follow. Believers would do well to ponder carefully the spiritual meaning of marriage before they "take the plunge." This will save many a future breakup – so often foreseeable and avoidable.

The modern outlook focuses mainly on the physical and biological elements of marriage. In the words of Samson, "Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well" (Judges 14:3). He saw, he was attracted and he proposed. But, alas, the physical component of sex is shallow, fickle and fleeting. Beauty and excitement quickly wear thin and demand for a change. To cope with this sort of expectation in America, some marriages are legal contracts with built-in conditions for separation. The stage is set for divorce even before marriage has begun!

To the Christian believer, the marriage bond is permanent. The two become one flesh, a life-long fusion. Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church, which is loving, sacrificial and permanent. "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; … So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself" (Eph 5:25, 28). The church is the complement of Christ, like the bride is to the bridegroom. It is a beautiful, almost mystical, relationship of love, in which the Lord Himself has a part. It is aptly expressed thus: Each for the other, both for the Lord.

When two believers in love understand these basic elements of the marriage bond, and together commit their lives to the Lord, then there need be no place for polygamy, adultery, extramarital adventures or divorce. Courting couples should therefore carefully weigh all the factors before plunging into the matrimonial sea.
Lord, strengthen me for a life-long partnership to glorify Thy name.

2. Abortion and contraception
In the west the doctrine of "free love" and permissive sex (now spreading rapidly to the East) has caused an epidemic of illegitimate pregnancies. In some communities the number of unwed mothers is catching up with married ones, and abortions outnumber live births. Abortion on demand being freely available has emboldened sex-crazy youths to lust like the inhabitants of ancient Sodom.
We shall briefly consider the place of abortion and contraception in the light of Biblical teaching. Abortion or the termination of foetal life before viability (maturity) has been legalised in most western countries, so-called "abortion on demand" to get rid of unwanted pregnancies. This practice is permitted mainly for socioeconomic reasons. The Bible clearly forbids it. "Thou shalt not kill." Abortion is killing.

Contraception or birth control to regulate the arrival of babies by married people needs no debate. To forbid it on religious grounds is without Scriptural support, although it may be enforced in the name of the Church or some human authority. In the medically-advanced West birth control clinics have mushroomed in many communities to stem the rising tide of teenage pregnancies. Any young person can obtain advice, knowledge, pills and appliances for birth control, without parental consent or knowledge.

While this may reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, it has bred a new generation of youngsters who regard sex as a physiological need (like eating and sleeping) or some sort of recreational activity. This phenomenon is spreading throughout the world as an ominous sign that the "days of Noah" are with us, or a re-run of Sodom and Gomorrah. The writing is on the wall: our Lord’s return is near, even at the doors, for the Judgment Day is at hand. Read Matthew 24:37-39.

Parents, warn your children! Young people be holy and undefiled, looking for our Blessed Hope! Behold, He comes!
Are you living a pure and holy life for God?

But fornication and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among God’s people.

3. Walk circumspectly (Eph 5:15)
(Daily Remembrancer 14 January)
"BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT WALKETH NOT IN THE COUNSEL OF THE UNGODLY." We walk in enemy territory, surrounded by temptations. Our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. To honour Jesus in our spirit, communications, and every action, should be our constant aim. We are to live unto the Lord, for Him who died for us and rose again. To this end, provision was laid up in the everlasting covenant; for this purpose the precious promises were made, and with this design the Holy Spirit is given, that we may serve Him in righteousness and holiness all the days of our life. This world is not our home; Satan’s family are not to be our associates; riches, honours, or pleasure, are not to be our objects; we are to walk as in the midst of snares, ever watchful, prayerful, depending upon Jesus, and cultivating fellowship with Him. O reader, keep your eyes on Jesus as your example; walk by His word as your rule; be not venturesome or presumptuous and avoid the very appearance of evil. Never leave the Lord’s ways or ordinances to join the world’s parties or to please a carnal fancy. Keep close to Jesus and follow on to know the Lord. Walk as a loving child going home to his Father’s house.

So let our lips and lives express
The holy Gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.
God bless all readers.

 Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor