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Jarrod Jacobs: Love In Marriage

Last week, we began a study of love in marriage. Specifically, we began studying what the Bible says about love from I Corinthians 13 and made applications to the marriage relationship. Why write about this subject and remind men and women of love in marriage? For one reason, it is because the Bible talks about such things. Certainly, this ought to be reason enough for the one who respects God’s word! Another reason for studying about love in marriage, however, is because of all the practical lessons we learn from marriage. Consider the following:

 

First, those yet unmarried may look to married folks and realize that marriage is a life-long commitment (Matt. 19:4-6; Rom. 7:1-2). Though it is filled with ups and downs, people can make things work and can have a life filled with love. However, like anything else, those things that are worth the most to us require our best and most sincere effort.

 

Second, those of us who are married may take a lesson from those who have already gone before! If they can make it and love one another, so can we! (Matt. 5:16)

 

Third, when we observe God’s will for the family and experience love in that marriage, we also get a picture of Christ’s love for the church! In Ephesians 5:25, we read, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” Notice the comparison above. In marriage, a husband is to love his wife even as Christ loved the church! So, when we observe love in a marriage, do we not also get a picture of the love Christ has for the church? Therefore, when we have true love in our own marriages, are we not ourselves living that picture of love that Christ has for the church? How precious the love of Christ is when He reveals that we can get a glimpse of it on earth through the love a husband and wife have for one another!

 

Fourth, a study of love in a marriage is needed to see the type of sacrifice involved in being married! I think back to folks who take care of one another in their old age (and in their “youth”) and see that pure example of sacrificial love. In continuing the comparison of Christ and the church, did not Christ show this in its ultimate form when He died for the church (Eph. 5:25)? If this is the case, then what sacrifices are we making for our spouses?

 

Marriage is a special relationship with special duties. Within marriage, we see dedication, love, and sacrifice. In marriage, we see the continuation of our society, and the training of our future leaders. Within the marriage bond, we see the picture of Christ and the church. How special this relationship is, and not one to be taken lightly! To the unmarried people reading this article, I say, please do not be like the couples who are more prepared for the wedding than they are the marriage! Prepare now. To the married, I say, look to the Lord for the answers to your questions and for ways to make even the strongest marriages stronger (Matt. 7:12).

 

 -- Jarrod Jacobs preaches with the Caneyville church of Christ in Caneyville, KY. He can be reached at (270) 589-4167 or http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com.

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