By: Obed Pineda
When presenting a business proposal to a party of interest, the ultimate goal of that meeting is to get that party to “sign on the dotted line.” This becomes the priority of that meeting, because without their signature, no matter how much interest that party may show or claim to have, it will not legitimize their commitment to the proposal. For this reason, it becomes pivotal for the persuading party to be fully prepared with information, ready to answer any, and all queries that will remove all uncertainty that may impede the contract from being signed. Notice the three important components that must be present if the agreement is to materialize: a buyer (the interested party), a seller (the informing party), and a contract (the mutual commitment between both buyer and seller). If any of these three pieces are missing, it would be illogical to believe that a partnership was reached, particularly if neither side ever signed on the dotted line that seals the agreement of the mutual commitment to work together, as one. Thus, it becomes curious when this is readily understood and accepted when it applies to financial transactions, but not when it pertains to spiritual ones. An example of this tragic practice that resplendently illumines it is the deplorable philosophy of “common law marriage.” Basically, this is when a man and a woman are involved in the appearance of a marital relationship, but without the legally binding contract of a Marriage License. The “loophole” created by man is that their love for one another is what makes their unofficial matrimony, official. Yet, when pressed as to why not obtain and sign the license since the bond of their love is unbreakable, hesitation sets in. Their fear of a permanent commitment to someone rises to shore and immediately exposes their bold claim about their love for one another to be shallow. The idea of having to sacrifice the freedom to walk away from the relationship the moment things begin to sour demonstrates the low level of confidence a person may have in investing in the other. Without question, it can be agreed that this type of mindset manifests the selfish and irresponsible nature of a person. Sadly, the truth of why many resist signing that legally binding contract is because people do not want to take on a responsibility that requires much sacrifice and work. They want all the blessings that come from a marriage, but none of the commitments required of them. It is worth noting that the Old Testament prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea on several occasions used the holy covenant of marriage to describe what was supposed to be the intimate relationship between Jehovah God and the children of Israel. The sad truth, however, is that Israel was notoriously unfaithful to God with idols and violated the sanctity of their spiritual marriage. The Lord revealed to Jeremiah, “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah – not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:31-32, emphasis added). Israel’s refusal to commit their ways to the Lord and constant reversion to idolatry is twice described by Holy Writ as “the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:5-6, 1st Corinthians 10:7). It is fascinating that when a man or a woman is not willing to seriously commit to the relationship, it is said that they are “playing” with the other person’s heart. Regrettably, this is frequently true when it concerns a person having to make the most important commitment of their life: baptism. Like the prophets of old, the apostles, too, utilize the sacred covenant of marriage to describe the fellowship of Jesus Christ and His church. One major detail that must not be ignored clearly taught by the metaphor is the vitality of spiritual commitment. After all, to speak of Jesus and His church as Groom and bride reveals that an engagement between them was made. The apostle Paul proclaimed to the church in Corinth, “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2nd Corinthians 11:2, emphasis added). It is wise to comprehend what the Holy Spirit is portraying as the betrothal stage of the relationship. A betrothal is defined as “a mutual promise or contract for a future marriage” (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary). In modern language, a betrothal is the same as an engagement. Therefore, Paul is validating that a mutual commitment was made between Jesus and His church to be united in holy matrimony one day. This, then, raises the question: When was this commitment made? The Hebrew scribe reveals that “Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place, once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:11-12, emphasis added). Remember that that first covenant was broken by the infidelity of Israel and thus a new covenant was promised (Jeremiah 31:32). Having this in mind, the Hebrew amanuensis reminds us that this new covenant, too, required blood in order for it to become effective (Hebrews 9:16-28). Therefore, this illuminates when a person becomes engaged to Christ. When Jesus gave His blood on the cross for all of humanity, was buried three days, and rose on the third day, this was His spiritual, a marriage proposal to His bride; the church (Ephesians 5:25-31). Ergo, when a man accepts Jesus Christ’s proposal is when he obeys the Gospel in the waters of baptism for it is written, “we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:4-5, emphasis added). Lamentably, many today “play” with the Lord’s heart by attempting to denigrate the necessity of baptism. Those who support such erred thinking need to realize that this is the same as making a business agreement without signing on the dotted line and believing it to be legally binding. It is a travesty to know that many today believe that there is such thing as a “common law” marriage with Christ when Holy Scripture vehemently denies that possibility. It is undeniable that anyone who agrees to a large and important business proposal without signing the proper paperwork would be deemed unwise. Then, why do we expect the omniscient God to do so with our eternal salvation? Therefore, it behooves mankind to consider seriously the commitment that is Christianity and understand that baptism is the spiritual “I do” (Matthew 7:21-29).