Mike’s Musings … THE BOND OF MATRIMONY
Within the last two months, four of our younger members have united in marriage. Our prayers beg God’s best care and keeping of them in their lives as one. Their happiness shines brightly now, and those of us who have found the golden anniversary of joy can attest to the continued increase of happiness, provided you make God your highest priority, and continue to pattern your marriage after Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22 – 33.)
The Hebrew writer declared, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” (13:4) Marriage is the union of man and woman; their unity is more than in the flesh, for it is a unity of mind and soul as well. When these two souls are also Christians, their marriage is bound even stronger in the knowledge that they are married to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33) and therefore, strengthen the faith of each other (Jude 20-21; 1 Corinthians 7:39).
Each member of the Lord’s church should consider this reality: we are married to Christ! Paul said, (2 Corinthians 11:2) “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” When the angel described the church of John, the angel said, (Revelation 21:2) “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband} and continued saying, (Revelation 21:9) “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.” If Christians would remember they are the “bride of Christ” their faithfulness to Him would increase, their love for Him would increase, and their devotion to Him would increase – just as it must in the marriage of man and woman!
I muse on the beauty of marriage! Yes, it has its struggles, but when true love prevails, there is nothing stronger or longer-lasting! May God bless these unions, both spiritual and physical!