All of God’s creation is symbolic. The world was not designed by a bunch of random chain reactions. The way we think, the way we act, and the desire to be loved was all designed by God. The institution of marriage is no different. Is it any wonder that marriage has been under attack for so long? If God designed something then satan will hate it. God hates divorce so satan loves it. God hates sex outside marriage so satan promotes it. The marriage covenant is under attack. We must cling to God and love and honor our spouses like never before. I pray that you burn with devotion to God and your marriage.
The days and weeks following the death of my wife in 2006 needless to safe were difficult. I recall several times when I would experience something worth sharing and I would think to myself, I can’t wait to tell Kari about this. Moments later my stomach would knot up and my heart would sink because I would realize that would never happen. It was a terrible feeling being disconnected from someone that had been joined to me and my life for so long.
God made us all with a desire to feel connected. Connected to Him, connected to other believers, and often connected in marriage. Marriage symbolically represents our union with God. Ephesians 5:31-32 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” When Christ comes back for His children we will be united with Him. But God doesn’t want to marry those that don’t love Him. He only wants those that are faithful, loyal, and true.
Has there ever been a bride-to-be hoping that her fiancé that she adored would love another woman? Has there ever been a husband-to-be that wished his soon to be bride which he loved with all his heart would chase after another man? Of course the answer is no. In marriage, we want those we love to love us exclusively. Yet, how often do we struggle ourselves to love exclusively?
Some might say, “I have never cheated on my spouse. Exclusivity doesn’t apply to me.” Well here are some questions to think about: Have you ever put yourself first and done something without even thinking about how you might be affecting your spouse? Have you ever made a big decision and left your other half out? Have you ever flirted with or lusted after another however innocent it may have seemed? Have you ever done something that your spouse asked you not to do? What do all these questions have in common? They are all self-seeking and self-loving. You are putting yourself, things, or other people before your marriage partner.
If God said that when we become married we become one, why do we often try to be two? In an environment that is ever increasingly hostile to everything that is God, individuality and independence in marriage is taught as being not just important but required. Modern society wants every married person to assume every family role which leads to a married couple leading two separate lives. If marriage represents the union between God and the church, a very close and intimate relationship, why do married couples often occupy their time with activities that pull them apart? Marriage was not meant to merely be a sharing of responsibility with an occasional release of sexual tension. Christ loved the church so much He died for it. He gave all.
God made us all with a desire to feel connected. Connected to Him, connected to other believers, and often connected in marriage. Marriage symbolically represents our union with God. Ephesians 5:31-32 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” When Christ comes back for His children we will be united with Him. But God doesn’t want to marry those that don’t love Him. He only wants those that are faithful, loyal, and true.
Has there ever been a bride-to-be hoping that her fiancé that she adored would love another woman? Has there ever been a husband-to-be that wished his soon to be bride which he loved with all his heart would chase after another man? Of course the answer is no. In marriage, we want those we love to love us exclusively. Yet, how often do we struggle ourselves to love exclusively?
Some might say, “I have never cheated on my spouse. Exclusivity doesn’t apply to me.” Well here are some questions to think about: Have you ever put yourself first and done something without even thinking about how you might be affecting your spouse? Have you ever made a big decision and left your other half out? Have you ever flirted with or lusted after another however innocent it may have seemed? Have you ever done something that your spouse asked you not to do? What do all these questions have in common? They are all self-seeking and self-loving. You are putting yourself, things, or other people before your marriage partner.
If God said that when we become married we become one, why do we often try to be two? In an environment that is ever increasingly hostile to everything that is God, individuality and independence in marriage is taught as being not just important but required. Modern society wants every married person to assume every family role which leads to a married couple leading two separate lives. If marriage represents the union between God and the church, a very close and intimate relationship, why do married couples often occupy their time with activities that pull them apart? Marriage was not meant to merely be a sharing of responsibility with an occasional release of sexual tension. Christ loved the church so much He died for it. He gave all.
NEWLYWEDS TYPICALLY SEE ONLY THE GOOD IN THEIR SPOUSES. AS THE YEARS GO BY THEY TEND TO CHANGE THEIR FOCUS TO THEIR NEGATIVE QUALITIES. CHRIST LOOKS PAST THE NEGATIVE QUALITIES KNOWING THEY ARE IMPERFECT AND LOVES HIS BRIDE FOR WHO THEY ARE NOT WHAT THEY DO.
If we are to have the marriage that God wants us to have, we must love with the love of Christ. We must be devoted and passionate. We must give up our time and attention. We must build up our partners and remove from ourselves selfish ambition. Marriage is not about getting something. Marriage is a special bond that unites two hearts. It’s an opportunity to help your partner bloom in preparation of their wedding day with God.
When Jesus comes back He is coming back for a beautiful and holy bride. Jesus doesn’t want to marry someone that is doing their own thing. He doesn’t want someone that is flirting after someone else. He doesn’t want someone that is making decisions without Him or doing things that He asked them not to do. Jesus is looking for exclusive love. He is looking for true love.
Are you looking forward to your wedding day? Are you ready? God wants us to be as excited and as anxiously anticipatory as a bride walking down the aisle to meet the love of her life. On that day don’t be found holding hands with someone else. Live your life for Him. Give your life for Him.
Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
When Jesus comes back He is coming back for a beautiful and holy bride. Jesus doesn’t want to marry someone that is doing their own thing. He doesn’t want someone that is flirting after someone else. He doesn’t want someone that is making decisions without Him or doing things that He asked them not to do. Jesus is looking for exclusive love. He is looking for true love.
Are you looking forward to your wedding day? Are you ready? God wants us to be as excited and as anxiously anticipatory as a bride walking down the aisle to meet the love of her life. On that day don’t be found holding hands with someone else. Live your life for Him. Give your life for Him.
Mark 12:30 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
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