Ephesians 5:31 As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." 32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
We have been reviewing the book of 1 Corinthians in the Mini Bible College on Monday nights at the Chapel (come on out...7 pm in Room 206) and last night we talked about chapter 7, also known informally as the "The Marriage Manual". The apostle Paul provides guidance about marriage and singlehood, marriage and divorce and maximizing the quality of marriage. We also discussed how marriage is the perfect picture of the relationship we are intended to have with Christ. One day there will be a "Marriage supper" or marriage celebration in Heaven as believers in Christ are recognized as His bride. In the Old Testament God says in Hosea 2:19 " I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the LORD.
In the writings of Jeremiah, God confirms this kind of commitment despite His frustration with His people:(Chapter 3) 14 "Return, O backsliding children," says the LORD; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
It is helpful to consider the qualities that make for a healthy marriage: intimacy, honesty, forgiveness, close communications, tenderness and love and realize that these are the qualities that also make for a healthy relationship with our Lord, as He is committed to having that kind of relationship with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment