Where Love Dwells Within (1)

Rev. G.J. Van Aalst, Klaaswaal, the Netherlands

In 2002, upon the request of the General Synod of the Gereformeerde Gemeenten in the Netherlands, Rev. Van Aalst was requested to write a publication dealing with marriage. We hope to provide the translation of that booklet (which was published by Den Hertog Houten, the Netherlands, who has given us permission to use this booklet) in a series of articles in the coming months. We hope that it may be instructive for those already married and those who are contemplating this God-ordained and blessed union of man and woman, especially in days when traditional marriage is mocked and despised and alternative unions are promoted. May the Lord add His indispensable blessing.

—Ed.

Introduction

Form for the Confirmation of Marriage before the Church is the title of our well-known marriage form. What do you think of when you hear the word form? A difficult word, perhaps, a list of do’s and don’ts for marriage, or possibly you really do not know what it means, and you have never thought much about it. As the saying goes, unknown is unloved. That applies to many things in our daily lives, but it is certainly true for the message contained in our marriage form which was composed in the sixteenth century. For that reason, we would like you to follow along with us to hear what the contents and the message of the form have to say to us in our present day. Precisely by immersing yourself therein, you will come to the conclusion that the contents of this “old” form are very relevant also for today.

Reformation

When people married in church during the Middle Ages, this was usually done out of custom. The Bible, wherein God has revealed His will in regards to life and doctrine, was a closed book for the laity. Because of a lack of knowledge of God’s Word, the people were unable to give an answer upon the question as to why marriage was confirmed in the church. As a result of the Reformation, that has changed. It is a great blessing for the Christian church that since that time instruction is given out of the Word of God at all types of occasions (also on the wedding day). The authors of the Form for Confirmation of Marriage before the Church were deeply convinced that the knowledge of God’s will is necessary in marriage so that we may live to His honor and to the welfare of our neighbor.

Good and evil

The Lord has desired to make this known unto us, in the first place, by means of His Word and, also, by means of an accessory document, the marriage form. God’s Word is not time-bound. Because the form follows Scripture so faithfully, it speaks with authority, not only about the past but also for today. In His Word the Lord makes known unto us how and in what manner we may expect His help and blessing. On the other hand, He lets us know through the same Word that sin and unrighteousness are not according to His law and will. These provoke His anger and cause His displeasure. We should be fully cognizant of this fact. For these reasons the question of what is good and evil is so important when it concerns marriage and everything which is associated with it.

There is much backsliding and confusion regarding these facts, alas, even in the Church. Many do that which is good in their own eyes. The results thereof are visible; we see it about us daily. Perhaps, you say, but that will not happen to me. I am fully aware of what I am allowed to do and not allowed to do, what is responsible behavior and what is not. Well, it is our heart’s desire that this is the case with you. In spite of that, however, it is important to fully prepare you for this important step in your life. Do you realize that the choice of person with whom you wish to spend your future life has much further ramification than just for today? Our Creator has, for our fundamental welfare and happiness, made His will known unto us, not only for this time state but also for eternal life. It is His gift to include, as an addition to the Bible, the marriage form to also therein show you the way in which you must go and not to leave you in uncertainty about that which is good and evil.

Then and now

God’s Word has been entrusted to us as something precious. Are you fully convinced of that fact? Are you conscious of it in your inner being? Are you amenable to its good message, or do you go on in ignorance? If you have no knowledge of God’s Word, then you will drift along with the tide of today. Then you will follow along with the masses or, like a member of a flock of animals, go on unthinkingly and without feeling. Young people, we wish more for you than that. That is why we will attempt to give you a better insight into the marriage form.

When we take the time to think about it, is it not a wonder that throughout the ages marriages have been confirmed in the church with the same words which are used in our days? Our forefathers in the sixteenth century listened to the same confession. The church of the martyrs, at the time of the Reformation and during a time of persecution and chaos, let the voice of Scripture speak, and many listened reverently and attentively to God’s Word. Think about it. People who have been buried for a long time already began what was for them a new phase in their lives with the same words of the wedding form. Among them were those who had an upright fear of the Lord, the God of all ages.

Should it not be our hearty desire to walk in the footsteps of the Church of all ages? That does not mean that we just become acquainted with these words in a superficial manner to use them as we please. No, if we are fully cognizant of their meaning and live our lives thereby, then we will agree wholeheartedly with the doctrine and teachings of the church of our forefathers, for that is the message that we hear in these words—in the marriage form we have inherited, as it were, concise biblical ethics for marriage. Let us follow it together.

(To be continued)

The Footsteps of the Flock

(An Extract from a Letter)

The Lord upholdeth them that fall and raiseth up all them that are bowed down. The first fall of an elect sinner is from his high-towering pinnacle of self-confidence when the Lord comes to judge his house and undermine his sandy foundation, for his foundations are in the dust. The arrows of the King of Zion are shot into the hearts of His enemies, whereby the people fall under Him. However, the Lord does not suffer them to sink, nor does the pit shut its mouth over them, nor are they left to despair of finding mercy. Here they are upheld; a secret confidence in the heart and a hope springing up therefrom upholds them. By these, with a ray of light that shines on their path, they get to a comfortable standing, but it is not long that they are able to stand together.

Clouds and darkness come over them again; Satan bests them, fears lay hold of them, and down they go. They fall from all their sweet views, comfortable prospects, encouraging hope, and prevailing confidence, for the righteous falleth seven times and riseth again. The Lord delighteth in the way of the righteous; when he falleth he shall not utterly be cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand. By the power of God he is supported, and the word of the Lord upholds him. “Thy word upheld him that was falling, and Thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.”

The spirit of faith in their heart makes the application. “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! When I fall I shall arise, when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me.” And as He upholds them that fall, He raiseth up them that are bowed down. Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it to stoop; oppression from the enemy and depression through a sense of the plague of the heart make us to bow down. “I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.” Why? “My bones are filled with a loathsome disease, and there is no soundness in my flesh, because of my sin.” But those that mourn are exalted to safety. He raises the mind, the heart, and affections with His presence; the power that attends His word raises up the drooping faith and languishing hope. This is the path, my dear brother, and these are the footsteps of the flock, and in these we must tread.

— Rev. Jenkin Jenkins (1803-1886)

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