Living Marriage-Minded

by Stephanie Shrum

The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a marriage multiple times throughout the Bible. We are referred to as the Bride of Christ (for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready. Rev. 19:7). We are to look for our Groom to return at any moment and the Bible tells us to get ourselves ready. But ready for what? Ready to receive the inheritance promised to us through Christ—the marriage. The good news is there can be joy in the waiting.

Too often Christians accept Christ as their Savior but fail to tap into the privileges that come with the now. They want to go to Heaven when they die but they see it as something in their future, not something they can embrace and enjoy now. There are so many blessings that come with the Christian faith. Though we are not promised a life of ease, we do have the promise of the Holy Spirit (I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. John 14:16-17). Jesus is now your best friend (there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24). You never have to face anything in life alone. You have the assurance of provision (And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19). You have guidance for every situation. You have joy, peace, and love (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, etc. Gal. 5:22).

You wouldn’t get married and refuse to enjoy the benefits of marriage. Although marriage can be challenging at times, when you are married you have companionship. You share each other’s burdens (Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2). There are financial benefits, such as tax breaks and sharing the bills, often with two incomes instead of one (Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: Eccl. 4:9). You have intimacy and pleasure designed especially for marriage (each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 1 Cor. 7:2). It would be foolish to take a wife or husband and then continue to live as though you are single by refusing to embrace all that your spouse has to offer you.

Perhaps this is you. Is there something stopping you from fully receiving all that you are promised in God’s Word (the Bible)? Do you feel unworthy to accept such blessings? If Jesus is your Lord, you are worthy. Not because of what you have or have not done but because of what He did for you. He paid the price on the cross so that you can have the full inheritance as a child of God. Thank Him for it and go enjoy the journey.

About The Author Stephanie Shrum is the ASA for PCM/ J103/ComeOnLetsGo ministries. She is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She is also the author/creator of the blog: runninganegativesplit.com.

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