Thursday, July 2, 2009

Contract or covenant?

I finally saw Fireproof. But I'm going to refrain from reviewing it since there are probably a lot of reviews out there.

I have to admit, I was impressed at the end when they slipped in the point about marriage being a covenant, not a contract.

I liked it because it reminded me of one of my favorite sermon illustrations-the same concept, but in terms of our relationship with God. For example: a contract is between two people who do not have a close relationship or trust each other, so they draw up the document to protect themselves. A covenant is a relationship of trust, in which each person gives of himself. A contract is signed for a certain period of time...a covenant is for life.

And so on.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
-Heb.13:20,21 (NIV)

5 comments:

  1. Значит, стоит посмотреть ?

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  2. I still haven't seen it. I fear anything that will pile on the emotion. I have too much of that in my life already.

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  3. Стоит!

    It is an emotional film, Annie. It isn't "feel-good" in the sense of happily ever after, but it is encouraging to see marriage represented in a redemptive, Christian light.

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  4. yup, i agree with you, Liz, in that sense.
    I haven't watched the movie yet. However, i reckon it is interesting to see how ppl think differently about marriage: some think marriage is a covenant and others think it is a contract, though from the christian's perspective, marriage is definitely a covenant, not a contract.
    I remember when my hubby and I had our pre-marital counseling before we walked down the aisle, our pastor said to us that we can never find a christian wedding vow that says,"...till I get bored of you do we split." but "...till death do us part." :D
    Same thing goes to our relationship with God. Imagine if our relationship with God is just a contract: once the contract ends, there will be no love and grace and mercy of God for our life! :o Whoa! that's the worst thing I could imagine on that scenario. :o

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  5. I can't imagine getting married not expecting it to be for life. But some people probably do think, "I hope he keeps his vows," instead of worrying about one's own behavior. And that is what we do with God in a sense, doubting whether or not he will hold up His end of the "contract" instead of examining our own hearts. I agree, His permanence is a great comfort!

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