The Kneel

I have been married for just over a year now and many of my friends are getting engaged and getting married. This made me think about the proposal process. Why do men kneel when they propose? My goal in this is to set up a clear theological framework of what kneeling means in proposal and why we do it because, to be honest, the only reason why I knelt when I proposed was because that’s just what men do. I didn't think about what it meant, or what it should mean. Here are some thoughts.

Why do men kneel when they propose?

Here are not some reasons why men should kneel to propose:

·         We do not kneel out of worship (Matthew 4:10)

·         We do not kneel out of pride (1 Peter 5:5)

·         We do not kneel out of selfishness (James 3:16)

·         We do not kneel out of manipulation (Philippians 2:3)

·         We do not kneel because it looks good (1 Samuel 16:7)

Kneeling is very close to bowing. Men, we should not idolize our girlfriend, our fiancée, or our wife. We are to worship the one true God Jesus Christ. Our kneeling when we propose should not be an act of worship.

Kneeling to propose is seen as romantic. While being romantic can be a good thing, it can also be a thing people use in order to manipulate their spouse. Manipulation is not love. Manipulation is using someone to get what you want. This is hardly loving.

If what you are concerned about is the outside appearance of your relationship, then you are in for a rough marriage. Do not sugar coat your relationship by doing things the right way in front of people in order for them to believe your relationship is healthy. Live a godly relationship by the power and grace of Christ. It is for freedom Christ has set us free.

Here are some reasons why men should kneel to propose:

·         We kneel in service (1 Peter 4:10)

·         We kneel in leadership (1 Corinthians 11:3)

·         We kneel in headship (Ephesians 5:23)

·         We kneel in selflessness (Ephesians 5:25)

·         We kneel in humility (Colossians 3:12)

·         We kneel in love (Ephesians 5:28)

·         We kneel in tenderness (1 Peter 3:7)

The married man should always seek after the interests and needs of his wife above his own. He should be aware of how to best serve his wife, because this is being obedient to God. Jesus displayed a style of leadership that is service driven. He even washed the feet of his disciples, including Judas Iscariot who betrayed him.

The Bible says the husband is the head of the household. But what does this mean? To love and serve his wife like Christ loves and serves the church, even to the point of death. Marriage is not about you, but about living to fulfill the needs of your spouse in order to be obedient and submissive to Christ.

The husband must be willing to admit he is wrong. The husband must be willing to say, “I’m sorry.” The husband must be willing to repent. Ultimately everything we do should come from a Gospel driven heart where we love the Lord and are obedient to him. This includes how we treat our wife.

The reason why behind the reasons why we kneel to propose:

·         We kneel in obedience (Philippians 2:10)

I kneel in obedience to the living God who has called me to a life of love and obedience. I kneel in obedience to Christ. My kneel in submission to Christ leads me to kneel in humble service to my wife.

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" Psalm 95:6

How Is God a Good Father?

In a matter of months I will become a Father! This has made me think a lot about what fatherhood is and what it should look like. The Bible calls God a Father and calls us his children. These are some observations I made about fatherhood based upon how my heavenly Father is a father to me.

A Father…

·         Gives grace and peace (Beginning of Paul’s letters)

·         Provides (1 Corinthians 8:6)

·         Protects by destroying evil (1 Corinthians 15:24)

·         Brings mercy and gives comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)

·         Promises to be father, and won’t leave his wife or kids (2 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 13:5)

·         Is sacrificial (Galatians 1:4)

·         Takes responsibility for things that aren’t his fault (Romans 5:8)

·         Is willing to die for his wife and kids (Ephesians 5: , Romans 5:8)

·         Blesses with spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)

·         Gives wisdom and knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17)

·         Allows access into his life (Ephesians 2:18)

·         Commands respect (Ephesians 3:14)

·         Is someone to be thankful for (Ephesians 5:20)

·         Is loving and faithful (Ephesians 6:23, 1 John 3:1)

·         Exhorts and encourages his children in godliness (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

·         Directs his children in a correct way (1 Thessalonians 3:11)

·         Comforts and gives hope even while establishing his children (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

·         Disciplines in love (Hebrews 12:6-7)

·         Finds pleasure in giving good gifts (Luke 12:32 James 1:17)

·         Allows his children to fellowship with him (1 John 1:3)

·         Can be known by his children (1 John 2:13)

·         Can be abided in (1 John 2:24)

·         Is someone to be obeyed (2 John 1:4)

·         Does not condemn (Romans 8:1)

·         Lives the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

·         Loves his children (1 Corinthians 13:3-8)

·         Guards his children (1 Peter 1:5)

·         Is someone who should be imitated (Ephesians 5:1, 1 Peter 1:15)

·         Builds up his children (1 Peter 2:5)

·         Cares and listens to his children (1 Peter 5:7)

·         Restores, confirms, strengthens, and establishes his children  (1 Peter 5:10)

·         Is patient (2 Peter 3:9)

·         Speaks life giving words  (Genesis 1)

·         Speaks into the life of his children (Jonah 1:1, 1 Samuel 3:10, Acts 9:4)

·         Is forgiving (Psalm 86:5, Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:13)

·         Has a will for his children (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

·         Does not provoke his children to anger but disciplines and instructs in righteousness (Ephesians 6:4)

·         Keeps his promises (Joshua 21:45)

·         Restores his children gently (Galatians 6:1)

·         Corrects by exposing the sin of his children (Romans 4:15)

·         Gives good advice on how to live (Book of Proverbs)

·         Gives an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11)

·         Is there in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)

This list will continue to grow as I read and learn more about being a Father. Do you have any thoughts on how God has been a good Father to you?