Five C’s of Romance *
We recently were on a tour bus in Shanghai, China with a tour guide who was apparently a victim of romance. She volunteered the info that Chinese women are looking for a man with five C’s. Cash, Credit, Condo, Car & Career were the important things for a good relationship. Now I would suspect there are other important things in Chinese marriage, but she placed an emphasis on those five.
In the relationship between Christ and His bride (the church or believer), there is also 5 C’s of “Romance”, - Christ the bridegroom, and the church or believer being His bride. (God’s analogy, not mine - Isaiah 54:5, Ephesians 5:23) The five C’s are Caring, Contrition, Commitment, Continue, and Conduct.
-- Caring – People desiring to “hook-up” with God need to care that Christ was God in the flesh. Jesus said, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:9 They should care that the killing of Jesus was for their sin & salvation. They should care that God left us the record of the event, and that it is accurate & reliable.
-- Contrition – People approaching God should have a humble heart towards Him. “This is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2b
-- Commitment – A relationship, to God & Christ as in a marriage, is not much good without commitment to the cause. Commitment also means convene or congregate – attend church & support it.
-- Continue – To get the most “for our money” we need to be in the “ball game” for the long haul. Too often we attempt to accomplish things by “fits & starts.”
-- Conduct – Someone once said that “personal conduct is supremely important,” anon. Christians need to have high standards of conduct because we are watched carefully by the world. See link #36 “What is Hypocrisy?”
To the above five C’s of spiritual romance could easily be added Consignment which means to entrust or deliver. Christians have a great privilege to turn over their problems to a Christ who is big enough to take them (and alter them) for our good. (Philippians 4:6)
All the above C – words combine to define godly character and a long-term relationship with Christ. Could it be that Christ is wounded & frustrated w/"Romance" as was the Chinese tour guide? (Imagine what He has gone thru then & now dealing with us unlovely humans.) Could it also be that He will bless His people with good “stuff” if they make an attempt to please him with good character traits? “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 “Romance” with Christ is not only a divine reality, but it’s also a “trip.” A trip to a good place at that. Choose Jesus, He is alive.
*Romance quote of the day “At the touch of love, everyone becomes poetic.”
Other interesting titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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