Author’s note: If you are new to my blog and are interested in reading the 23.xx series, please first read the 23.01 through 23.09 in order to best get the idea of what I am attempting to communicate. They are built like chapters in a book, one building on the previous one. Consider the points made in each article to help you understand where I am coming from in hopes I can make a connection with you on your spiritual journey.
One belief that has anchored me and has certainly been operative since I’ve had the privilege of being a husband and a father and that is being faithful and committed.
It is true, I have not properly sought the Lord through most of my life and most of my marriage, but one aspect of godliness, the Lord has blessed me with is with a basic sense of commitment to the covenant relationship of Marriage.
I write basic because there’s been plenty of times when I have made selfish and immature decisions (that sometimes masquerade as good decisions) that have had negative effects on my marriage. Yet, I have discovered when God is honored at the center of my being, when I place the God of Creation and the Lord of Salvation in command of my heart then all things begin to take their proper perspective. When I submit to the Lord’s command structure there is order. This restructuring can and often transforms struggling marriages.
What obedience looks like at times is: “Lord, I cannot do this right thing for my relationship because I am weak, short-sighted and prone to selfishness, but I can do this in Your strength. You have shown me great mercy, a mercy that endures. Your perfect Love continues to drive me away from sin while drawing myself and my marriage towards You.“
As I continue disciplined Bible study and learning from Bible and Christ-centered teachers, I am developing an understanding of the attributes of God. As I further trust and value God’s timeless character and moral standards, I can now love my wife and children in ways my self-centered self is not capable of.
Marriage is a key relationship structure, the human model for relational intimacy and faithfulness. This covenant relationship is one that God uses in repeated illustrations that compare God’s long-suffering relationship with Israel and also the life-saving relationship between His Son, Jesus Christ, and the world-wide Church (the Body of Christ).
It is no wonder that the nuclear family has been under the strain of unintended and intention damages. Within the deterioration of the family unit, there is a crisis of men and women having abdicated their responsibility of being spiritual leaders and role models for each other and for their children. With the marriage institution weakened, children have become the direct target of an anti-marriage and anti-family society.
As Christians, we are called and held to individual responsibility and accountability to God and one of our greatest tasks is to seek His wisdom to help guide us in the covenant of marriage.
CKY
***
Copyright © 2023 ChallenYee.com All Rights Reserved