FW: Apr 23 - Ephesians 5:31-32

 

 

From: Pastor Ed [mailto:pastored@spiritofjoy.us]
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 8:00 PM
Subject: Apr 23 - Ephesians 5:31-32

 

“For this reason a man will leave

his father and mother

and be joined to his wife, and

the two will become one flesh.”

This is a great mystery,

and I am applying it

to Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:31-32

^NRSV

 

What is the Marriage Covenant? – Part One

 

A covenant is a solemn compact (or agreement).

 

More than that, it is a binding relationship.

 

When God blesses the one flesh union of one man and one woman, he desires for this to be a reflection of God’s own union with his people.

 

That’s what our verse for today says.

 

The Apostle Paul points to the institution of marriage and says, “Look at the very best marriages. That’s the way in which Jesus loves the Church! He will provide for her. Sacrifice for her. Even die for her. His love will never run out.”

 

Now, it’s dangerous to compare Jesus’ perfect love, with any human picture. (Even the best marriages are inevitably imperfect.) But you get the point, right?! Christ loves the church like the very best of husbands love their brides.

 

That’s point one. But look at the brilliance of the Apostle Paul (and of God’s enduring Word)!

 

Even as Christ’s love is being compared to the best marriages, the Apostle is simultaneously turning around and pointing to marriages.

 

He’s saying to every husband and wife …

 

“Your marriage should look

like Jesus and the Church!

You’re called to love like Christ loves.

You should provide like Christ provides.

You should forgive like Christ forgives.

You sacrifice like Christ sacrificially gave all.

And you should be willing

to die for your beloved …

and for the sanctity of this union.”

 

In our culture, we’ve been gradually watering down the solemnity of the marriage … until there might as well be a waterfall hurtling well-intentioned couples over the ledge.

 

It’s like plummeting over Niagara Falls in a barrel. More barrel-plungers wind up crushed than survive. And more people who plunge into marriage – without understand God’s covenant – wind up crushed than survive.

 

Nowadays, marriage has devolved into just another mutually beneficial “contract.” If it’s good for me, I’ll stick with it.

 

That’s true among even many Christians. We treat marriage as a convenience that either party can exit it with just a little help from the court. “No fault divorce” is what it’s called in many states.

 

How far are we, then, from sawing a bull in half and saying covenantally, “I’d rather be cut in half than to ever quit fighting for this marriage.”

 

QUESTION: Do you truly love your spouse like Christ loved the church? Indeed, you’re your commitment on in this areas: Loving? Providing? Forgiving? Sacrificing? Giving all?

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who doesn’t want to go

over Niagara Falls in a barrel