Unfathomable Grace

One upon a time, in the beginning, all was great; all was good. Adam and Eve walked in obedience to the Lord, and paradise was theirs to enjoy.

Then Lucifer entered the scene, and on that one sad day one-hundred percent of humanity joined his unholy coalition. With their free wills Adam and Eve choose to disobey God and follow the leadership of the devil, and as a result of their horrid decision, they and their family were ruined. Ultimately, the entire created order was cursed by the Holy Creator.

However, despite the presence of hell on earth, the Creator graciously and lovingly maintained a holy remnant. Some rebels were left alone in their depravity, while other rebels were graciously reclaimed. Adam, Eve, and Able were rescued from the clutches of the evil one. So too were Seth and many of his descendants who “called on the name of the Lord.” Mankind, who was initially lost, was found. Adam and Eve, who were dead individuals walking, were granted eternal life. Satan, who hoped the planet would be populated by founding hellions, was thwarted. God intervened and saved his first couple. They were “declared holy,” and through their loins they founded the first covenantal community. Adam and Eve were the first church planters.

But over time, the number of grace-based, righteous, worshipers of God dwindled. The number of “elect” living on the earth grew smaller and smaller. Ultimately, the totality of God’s children on the planet were found living in the house of Noah; this was before they relocated to his yacht. Sadly, in that era, the entire earth was filled with a population that infuriated the Lord, and as a result, the entire earth was flooded with his wrath.

So, how did this happen? How did a race, begun by two redeemed people, result in a world inhabited by millions of apostate men and women? Perhaps the key is found in Genesis 6:1-6:

When man began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, the sons of God saw that the daughters of man were attractive. And they took as their wives any they chose. Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.

Some prefer to see a supernatural copulation. They see Moses describing some sort of sexual union between spiritual demons and earthly humans. The result, in their eyes, is some race of humanoids that walk unrighteously and ruthlessly about the earth. They are giants of men, impressive to some, but repulsive to God; and they are very responsible for affecting the spiritual trajectory of the human race.

However, others prefer a spiritual interpretation. The “Sons of God” represent those who worship God according to his will, and the “Daughters of Man” represent those from the lines of Cain and Lamech who walk in willful rebellion. According to this interpretation, true worshipers intermarry with unfaithful individuals. Worshipers of God are unequally yoked with unbelievers, and the result is children who walk not according to the model of Enoch and Noah.

Friends, this second interpretation is to be preferred, and based upon this teaching, two applications can be made.

First, let us guard our affections. As unmarried men and women, let us not flirt with disaster. Whatever our dating policies and procedures, let us only date those we might marry, and let us marry only those with whom we can worship. Solomon was led astray by his many female friends; he is not the exception.

Secondly, let us keep our personal children and our covenant children from ungodly influences that will wreck their lives. It is our duty as parents, elders, and covenant members to safeguard the next generation. God forbid we aid in their stumbling, and we can help them fall through our sins of commission and omission. May we not actively encourage them to sin, and may also actively discourage those habits and practices which will break their hearts, break our hearts, result in ungodly grandchildren, and greatly grieve the heart of God.

Therefore, single friends, learn the lesson from this passage of Scripture. if your want to ruin a good family name and start a dysfunctional household, date and marry someone who loves not your Christ and practices not your holy religion. It did not work so well in Genesis, and this same result should be expected today.

And a final word to married friends, family, and church members, if you want to assist someone in ruining a good family, sit by silently while the “Sons and Daughters of God” about you date and marry the “Sons and Daughters of Men.” Make a hard stand. Get in their way. Do this for your children and your future grandchildren. Do this for God. It took great effort to build a solid household of faith; why will you let that certain young man or young woman ruin a good family.