What Effect Has the Resurrection Had on Your Marriage?
Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind and on the third
day, rose again; the resurrection of Christ from the dead is central to Christianity.
If Jesus died and did not rise, Paul wrote that our faith would be useless.
(1Cor. 15:14) We believe in Jesus and are saved, we believe He died on the
cross and believe that He rose from the dead; what does that mean to our
marriage? We are promised life eternal with Christ; the Spirit of God who
raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to us. (Rom. 8:4) It is by God’s
grace we have this promise. There is nothing
we can do to earn salvation. We deserve damnation and the fires of hell, but
because of Christ has done for us, we have the promise of eternal life.
The resurrection – the grace we have received should affect our marriage! Jesus gave
His life for us, how much are we willing to give for our spouse? We are secure
in our relationship with God, again, not by what we have done, but what He has
done. Is our spouse secure in his or her relationship with us? Are we committed
to the marriage as long as our spouse meets our needs, takes care of us, and
makes us happy? Or do we have a true commitment to our spouse; for life, no
matter what? We don’t earn God’s grace, but do we expect our spouse to earn our
grace? Do we withhold love because they don’t love us as we think they should?
Do we withhold respect because they haven’t earned
it? Folks, we have freely received, we are to freely give!
Life is difficult, I understand that. Jesus told us life
wouldn’t be easy; John 16:33 records Jesus saying, “In this world you will have
trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We live in a broken world,
but that doesn’t give us license to withhold grace or be critical and
judgmental. Jesus overcame death, He overcame the world; we have everything we
need for life and godliness. (2Pet. 1:3) His divine power allows us to extend
grace to our spouse; to love our spouse even when he or she does not deserve
it. Let you conversation always be full of grace, give of yourself for your
spouse, demonstrate the power of the resurrection by dying to self and loving
for your spouse in such a way the world will have to notice. Treating him or
her with love, respect, honor – cherishing your spouse and extending grace each
and every day.
