Scripture
Husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her, to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
~Ephesians 5:5-26, NLT
Quote
A wedding is not so much a claim of present love as a promise of future love.
~Kathy Keller
Adultery is serious because it breaks a sacred covenant. A biblical marriage is a legal bond solemnized by sacred vows. We do not make vows to people: vows are made to God. We make promises to people but not vows. Every marriage is going to be tested sooner or later. All marriages contain some for better and some for worse–good times and difficult times. It is during the difficult times that the vows keep you together. The marriage relationship has stages just like life. In life we have infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood and marriage is much the same. Children change the marriage relationship and age will also have it’s say. Without a covenant and a life-long commitment, no marriage can survive.
What we are seeing today is a self-interested kind of relationship in which each party says, “I will stay with you as long as the relationship is fulfilling to me.” The key word is ‘me.’ A covenant relationship based on vows made to God says, “I will be there no matter what.” As C.S. Lewis teaches, it is a tragic mistake to go after self-fulfillment; the end result will be no fulfillment at all. What happens in life when a person makes everything about themselves? How many selfish people do you know who are fulfilled? The same is true in marriage. Fulfillment comes from sacrificial love and service. Do you think Jesus was smitten by our beauty? He is holy and without sin and look at us. He is perfectly blessed and we are sin-cursed. Jesus, our true spouse, loved us not because we are lovely or fulfilling to Him but because He desires to make us lovely and fulfilling.
What about that–two whole paragraphs and not even a hint of politics. You didn’t think I could do it did you? I was beginning to have doubts myself.
Tracy B is home and had a good day yesterday. Thanks for your prayers and keep it up.
We got creamed again last night 37-0 by a very good Colbert Heights team. Just as I suspected, they were big and blessed with skilled players. It doesn’t get any better for us: we go to Slaughterdale County next week. Their offensive line will average 250 per man. I saw the longest punt I’ve ever seen in high school ball last night. The kicker was standing on the 10 yard line and he kicked it inside our 10. I don’t remember where the line of scrimmage was but it was over a 70 yard punt and it changed the game. Saban should give this kid a look.