GOOD QUESTION, GREAT ANSWER
What we believe about God determines the quality of our marriage. Everyday
things we say in our marriage relationship reveal assumptions we have adopted
about who we are, what we need, what’s really important and how God figures all
into it. The strength of your entire life, which includes your
marriage, is wrapped up in your knowing of God--theology.
What theology is revealed in a statement like, “You’ll never change!”?
FIRST THINGS FIRST: LINING UP THE BUTTONS
If you get your theology right, all other areas of life begin to, or at
least have a chance to, line up correctly.
- The Foundation of Your Marriage: The Bible - We get our understanding of God and reality from Scripture. In Scripture we encounter Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. He is Truth. Truth-based marriages are centered on the Christ of Scripture. God’s Word concerning Christ will fill our marriages with eternal significance. This is where the strength and durability of our marriages comes from.
- The Foundation of Your Marriage: The Gospel - Humanity was created to live and rule with God as image bearers (Genesis). Sin ruined that. Scripture shows this image and relationship restored with God in a new creation (Revelation). Everything between the first couple chapters of Genesis as the last couple chapters or Revelation is in preparation for the gospel, presentation of the gospel or participation in the gospel. Scripture explains our most basic problem: sin has separated us from God and it has ruined relationships with each other. Scripture explains our only hope: the gospel of Christ. The gospel isn’t just for evangelism and getting saved. The gospel provides power to resist sin and hope that we can be transformed daily into better image bearers until we attain complete perfection when Christ comes again. Without the gospel, you cannot see God, yourself, or your marriage for what they truly are.
- The
Focus Of Your Marriage: The Glory of God - Marriage
was invented by God and belongs to God. It exists more for him than for
us. If your goal isn’t to glorify God, you shouldn’t get marriage,
yet. Ephesians 5:22-33 provides a reference point for all our
actions in marriage. Marriage is meant to be a parable whereby we
glorify God by displaying and acting out the eternal union between Christ
and His church. This is why you should want to get married
MARRIAGE IS STREET-LEVEL THEOLOGY
Christ came to save sinners. You have been saved (justification) but are
still in need of saving. Marriage will reveal areas that need present salvation
(sanctification) as we await final salvation (glorification). Problems within
marriage are a result of our sinful hearts that need sanctifying. You are
committing your life to a sinner that needs sanctifying. You are a sinner that
needs sanctifying. Are you committed to helping each other in sanctification
through Scripture? Our root problem is not a lack of information, dedication or
poor communication. Our root problem is the sin war within.
- Till Sin Be Bitter, Christ Will Not Be Sweet - If sin ruins our relationship with God and others, then a removal of it in any capacity will increase our relationship with God and others. The gospel is the remedy.
- Where Do We Go From Here? - God’s grace for living godly marriages comes through the Scriptural counsel, accountability and examples we receive from others in our church. This helps keep our knowledge of God correct which is worked out in our thoughts, actions and emotions. God wants your marriage thriving for His glory. He wants you to enjoy marriage.
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