I read Divine Romance by Edwards. I heard Divine Romance by Wickham. But what is romantic about God, the cross, Scripture, repentance, faith, obedience, and eternity? Can true romance be known? I pondered.
I read The Bible by Jesus,
Philip said to him, 'Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.' Jesus said to him, 'Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?' Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works' sake. Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments. I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world can't receive; for it doesn't see him and doesn't know him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.'John 14:8-21 (WEB)
I write that the world knows nothing of romance, but only the prostitution and purchase of themselves on YouTube and YouMagazine. I say that romance is defined by God, Scripture, redemption, faith, obedience, and eternity. The Father passionately commands the Son. The Son passionately obeys the Father. The cross testifies of their love for mankind. The Holy Spirit writes the love letters. Unrepentant man melts in the heat of God’s affection. Love struck man trusts and obeys God in gratitude. Eternities of passionate love remain for God’s people. It is not about YOU, but about selfless love toward ANOTHER, God toward us and us toward each other.
I write that romance is a dance with no side-by-side partners, but with passionate leading lovers and following beloveds. In fact the choreography of the "in" doctrine above is the quintessence of romance. The beloved is first "in" the leading lover, the lover last "in" the following beloved. Why? The Father leads the Son, so the Son is first "in" the Father, because the great Father glories over the obedient Son and the obedient Son glories "in" the great Father. The Son follows the Father, so the Father is last "in" the Son, because the humble Son glories over the commanding Father and the commanding Father glories "in" the humble Son. Yet the dance begins with the Father for he sets all things in motion. Glory! What blasphemy to imagine the Father first "in" the Son, or the Son last "in" the Father, or the Father "in" himself not "in" the Son!
The Son leads the church, so mankind is first "in" the Son, because the great Son covers over shameful mankind and shameful mankind hides "in" the great Son and because the great Son glories over the obedient church and the obedient church glories "in" the great Son. The church follows the Son, so the Son is last "in" the church, because weak mankind reposes over the obedient Son and the obedient Son strength-"in"s weak mankind and because the humble church glories over the commanding Son and the commanding Son glories "in" the humble church. Yet this dance begins with the Son for he rouses the church. Glory! Glory!! What blasphemy to imagine the Son first "in" mankind, or the church last "in" the Son, or the Son "in" himself not "in" the church!
The intimate heart of God’s image reflected "in" mankind is not an earthly father and son, or even a son and a brother, but a husband and wife, Genesis 1:27 and Ephesians 5:25. The same passionate union of the Father and Son also burns between the Son and the church and ignites the marriage of a husband and a wife. Does this romantic union reach from the spiritual to the physical? I wondered. Glory! Glory!! Glory!!! What selfishness to imagine a husband loving himself first or a wife obeying her husband last. What perversion, apostasy, and heresy to imagine Christ "in" man not "in" the church, or woman "in" the church not "in" Christ, or Christ "in" the church not "in" God!
God's wrath in sentencing idolaters to homosexuality and adultery is now understood! Romans 1:18-32 and Proverbs 22:14. If we remove the Creator to worship the created, he removes his image created "in" us until we worship the Creator. Lord, remove the veil so we can glory knowing ourselves "in" you, our shame covered with your greatness, and glory knowing you "in" us, our weakness filled with your strength.
Lord, restore your image "in" us, in Jesus name.
Further explanation of this Triple Entendre available upon request. For more detail on the wonder of human sexuality read The Image of God in Man, The Image of God in Man Part 2, and The Image of God in Man Part 3. Also the explanation of human sexuality as a metaphor of Christian salvation is further explained in 'In' Doctrine.
