Marriage and the Bride

Amy and I lead a growth group in our church, and we are currently working through the book: This Momentary Marriage, by John Piper.  Marriage and the family have been a passion of mine for about a decade.  It started by witnessing Gods restoration of my parents marriage which led to pursuing a Masters in Marriage and Family therapy and, eventually deciding to pursue a strictly biblical method of counseling.  Marriages are probably where I have seen God do the greatest works of restoration and healing.  While every step and breath of every humans life is ordained by God, marriage I believe, is something truly close to His heart because He designed it to bring Him much glory in a unique way.

Marriage is unique because it was designed by God to reflect who He is, specifically in Christ's relationship to the church and even in the distinct roles between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This truth, when understood, exponentially increases the grevious state of marriage in America and even more so within the church.  Not only should it drive us to our knees in humble repentance over the state of our own marriages, but should also will bring an immense hope and even joy in the midst of even the worst of marital circumstances! 

While we seem to read 1 Cor 13 (the love chapter) in the context of our horizontal relationships, which is a true application, we must first understand love as a thing that is born in God.  We see this most clearly through Christ, and the redemption of His Bride by His death and ressurection.  All for the sake of His Fathers glory.  As Jesus perfectly exemplified all the characteristics of love described in 1Cor 13 toward us, we are commanded to reflect that love towards our spouses...does that not just bring you to your knees in humility!  How can we possibly indite our spouses when we know our own hearts and see Christ's love for us despite it.  The good news and our reason to hope, is that we KNOW through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the faith which He gives, our love for our spouse can endure and not fail (in our weakness Christ's strength rests on us).  You can walk in victory in your marriage!

So we see how understanding and knowing God's love for us vertically not only informs but enables our love to others (specifically towards our spouse) horizontally, lets look quickly at how it not only informs and enables our love, but commands it, specifically within the covenant of marriage.

Ephesians 5:22-27 commands wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, and for husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church.  This is why I say that marriage was created by God to not only bring Him glory, but to bring Him glory by reflecting Him as our loving and Covenant keeping God.  To give up on or break the covenant we have made with our spouses is to proclaim with our lives, that Christ is either not faithful to uphold covenant love or not powerful to uphold it.  As Christ took up His cross and redeemed His Bride in submission to and for the glory of the Father, we are able to and must also love our spouses well, first and formost in submission to and for the glory of our Father.