Last week we had a baptism service by full immersion and at other times we dedicate children to God, which is called Christening in other churches. In HICC we dedicate the child to God for His preserving and keeping power, praying earnestly that he will keep them safe and bring them to faith early in their lives. As we do that we cut off the previous generations, generations that can interfere with their full and faithful life. I am of an opinion that if I can inherit from Adam original sin, which I did, that would plunge me into hell, then I can inherit from my earthly father a disposition that would or could mar my life with unwanted and dominant factors. This is what I call a ‘soulicial glip’. Just as a child can inherit a physical disorder depending on their genes, so they can in their emotional life.
It is the only thing that explains why in a family all the daughters or sons follow the lifestyle of their parents, all get divorced, or all follow a life of crime and disorder. It is more than just environment, for when twins are parted at birth often they reflect the same disorder irrespective of foster or adoptive parents. Salvation does not cure it, or a multitude of Christians would not be dogged daily with acts that dismay them and which they find are beyond their ability to control.
Looking into the faces of the babies we sire, we wonder what treasure is there, within that feeble earthly frame. What have we and God sown into their lives, what expectation and destiny will they fulfil? We can well say they have this treasure in earthen vessels. Rough and unworked, but over the years they grow to maturity, they can become a shining example of what God can do with someone wholly dedicated to His will.
It is possible to lay up the wrong treasure, which is on earth, due to a proliferating tendency to materialism. Job, speaking in his philosophy of life, states “Surely he will have no respite from his craving; he cannot save himself by his treasure.”[Job 20:20]. Our real treasure is not measurable by earthly standards. One meaning is that the gospel is the treasure above all other wealth, for it contains the seed of unbounded wealth; grace, mercy and forgiveness. We will yearn for satisfaction all our life if we are without God. We were made in His image, and “deep calls unto deep.” [Psalm 42:7]. The word says: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Matt 6:19-21]. It seems that our heart and our treasure are closely linked, and that is why it is difficult for mankind to be generous with God. If our heart is right with God it means our grasp is for Him not for wealth. The dominant force and persuasion in today’s society is money. Parliamentarians set a bad example of greed which ripples into society, causing discord and fretful envy. Often the church reflects the current philosophy of the world.
The popular interpretation is that the gospel is the treasure, illustrated by Jesus’ parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” [Matt 13:44]. This is so a man can secure the effects of the gospel and experience new life, and for that will give everything he has to own it. But that interpretation is hardly creditable for man cannot buy his salvation, he is poverty stricken. That he must give his all is without argument, for to accept Christ you have to be humbled at the foot of a cross; Christ, redeemed or bought us from sin and slavery. [1] I think the real understanding of this parable is that the treasure is the church hidden in the world, located by Christ who sold all he had and bought her as his bride. He paid the price for our life, we are willingly his, and now, by virtue of that eternal, undying, unselfish love, he is ours.
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[1] Rev 5:9 – “And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased [redeemed – bought back] men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
