Wedding Bells (2)
'Marriage should be honoured by all' Hebrews 13:9
OK, so your mates file Christian teaching on marriage somewhere in between UK Gold and your dad's cardigan collection: boring and outdated. The thought of not sleeping with someone until there's been vows before God seems straight out of those ankle flashing Victorian times. But the Bible is big on relationships and it teaches that there is more to intimacy than fondling bits of wobbly flesh.
Yes, love can sometimes involve gooey feelings, pretty people and happy times, but at the core of love is commitment. Gooey feelings and good times were not enough to lead Jesus to the cross. Commitment paved the way for Calvary. God was so committed to restoring our relationships He poured himself out to death, even death on a cross, in order to win us back.
A ring on the finger gives us a physical reminder that we are committed to this person in a special way. Beautiful skin shrivels to wrinkles, fluttering butterflies in the tummy fly away in the slog of everyday life, and that ever-dependable spouse will at some point hurt you. But love remains committed even when you're not 'feeling it'.
Paul's letter to Titus groups the word love with respect, self control, faith and endurance. Not a mention of whether someone sets your pulse racing. Love doesn't pack its suitcase when the birds aren't singing; love chooses to keep committed till the very end.
written by Bob Gass
'Marriage should be honoured by all' Hebrews 13:9
OK, so your mates file Christian teaching on marriage somewhere in between UK Gold and your dad's cardigan collection: boring and outdated. The thought of not sleeping with someone until there's been vows before God seems straight out of those ankle flashing Victorian times. But the Bible is big on relationships and it teaches that there is more to intimacy than fondling bits of wobbly flesh.
Yes, love can sometimes involve gooey feelings, pretty people and happy times, but at the core of love is commitment. Gooey feelings and good times were not enough to lead Jesus to the cross. Commitment paved the way for Calvary. God was so committed to restoring our relationships He poured himself out to death, even death on a cross, in order to win us back.
A ring on the finger gives us a physical reminder that we are committed to this person in a special way. Beautiful skin shrivels to wrinkles, fluttering butterflies in the tummy fly away in the slog of everyday life, and that ever-dependable spouse will at some point hurt you. But love remains committed even when you're not 'feeling it'.
Paul's letter to Titus groups the word love with respect, self control, faith and endurance. Not a mention of whether someone sets your pulse racing. Love doesn't pack its suitcase when the birds aren't singing; love chooses to keep committed till the very end.
written by Bob Gass