Saturday, November 11, 2017
Matthew 19: 5 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
MARRIAGE MATH
According to the Bible, if marriage were a math equation it would look like this: 1 + 1 = 1. What does God mean by that? Simply this--that it is His design, purpose, and will regarding marriage that husband and wife become one in many ways:
* they are bonded together in life's most intimate union and relationship -- physically, emotionally, and (we pray) also spiritually;
* they become part of each other so that nothing ever separates them until death;
* they cherish and care for each other as Christ does the Church;
* each other's needs, desires, and dreams become their own;
* each willingly sacrifices self, and anything else, for the other;
* they joyfully and faithfully carry out their complementary biblical roles as husband and wife.
All of this is God's description of marital love in Scripture--a permanent, heartfelt, unwavering, unselfish, sacrificial bond and commitment patterned after Christ's love-commitment to His beloved bride, the Church. And since God is the perfect Creator, Designer, and Implementer of Christian marriage, we do well to hear and heed His counsel as the ultimate authority on the subject.
While this ideal and intimate marital union meets daily opposition from both our society and our own sinful hearts, our hope in Christian marriage--as in life--always remains the forgiving love of our God and Savior. His great love is the true foundation for all earthly love, including marriage. He alone can fill our hearts with the kind of love for Him and for our spouses that it takes to make life and marriage work.
May God's wonderful marriage math equation (1 + 1 = 1) add up in our hearts and lives to a God-pleasing and blessed Christian marriage.
-- Adapted from the "Lutheran Spokesman"
