True Joy of Marraige

by | Sep 2, 2023 | Living | 75 comments

“…the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10

What is so important about marriage?

I didn’t ask, what is so important in a marriage; you can find answers to that question in plenty of good Christian Counseling materials such as The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  But, my question is, what is so important about marriage that Satan works so very hard to destroy it, or to discourage people from entering into it. Since we are supposed to live by the spirit as Followers of Jesus, what makes it so easy to be lured into a doomed relationship according to the flesh, as a distraction from its true intended and GLORIOUS purpose. As with anything Satan does, there is a reason.

What is the mystery of marriage that could make it so exciting to the Followers of Jesus?

With all of the bad things that we read about, see on TV, and sometimes experience ourselves in bad marriages, what could be so exciting about it to Followers of the Living Jesus? For even Jesus himself said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” (Mt 22:30). So, wouldn’t it just be easier to live that way now and save ourselves the pain of falling into a bad marriage?

No, not if we are the true Follower of the LIVING Jesus. In fact, for FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, MARRIAGE IS A WONDERFUL GIFT, it’s to be looked forward to with great anticipation that a REAL BLESSING HAS ARRIVED- He needs us to live together in a spiritually healthy marriage. More importantly, there’s an exciting joyful mystery in it if we follow the first two principles, of Loving God and Seeking His Kingdom and Righteousness. This message isn’t about a deep scriptural dive, because the answer is graciously simple and wonderful.

I’ve often said that if we live according to the Spirit and are guided by God (see the Principles), then God will bring us into a glorious relationship with someone else who is like us in the spirit and is equally on fire for Jesus WHO LIVES. Anything else isn’t going to work. But, when God brings us together, then we know that it’s right and together we seek His kingdom and righteousness, and that’s where the true joy BEGINS.

Marriage as the way to prepare for Jesus’ return

Matthew 25 gives us a picture (via a parable) of what it will be like when Jesus returns:

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:2  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Mat 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Mat 25:4  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Mat 25:5  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Mat 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Mat 25:11  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Mat 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 In this parable, half of the virgins were foolish and half of them were wise. The half that weren’t prepared, had no knowledge (oil) of what the Bridegroom expected of them in marriage, but the other half did know how to prepare themselves for what was to be expected of them in marriage to our Lord Jesus- they had practiced. The foolish half lived as modern day religious Christians giving time to God for a few hours on Sunday mornings, and the world the rest of the week, they and won’t be prepared; they still have some light in them, but since they don’t live according to the Spirit every day (see Principle One), then they will be turned away.

True married Followers of Jesus however, equally and joyfully living according to the Spirit, live practicing today the roles expected of us as the Bride of Christ when he returns. By practice, we will be prepared. It may not seem like it to the foolish, but the wise recognize that this is a great mystery- the Bible even tells us this:

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Eph 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Eph 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Eph 5:28  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (emphasis mine)

Eph 5:33  Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

 Be warned, Jesus said that straight (difficult) is the gate, and narrow is the path that leads to eternal life- and FEW there are that will enter into it.

“the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10

I won’t go into this any further. I’d rather let you enjoy the journey for yourselves. How exciting could be your future together. Let me encourage you to become a Follower of Jesus who LIVES.

Pray that God will bring you into the relationship, according to the Spirit in you, with the person you are meant to be with, and that together, you will see the truth in this message and will find great joy in marriage, to prepare yourselves through practice as members of the wise virgins ready to serve our Bridegroom, the Living Jesus when he returns. I had the most fantastic opportunity myself some 30 years ago before Satan stole the gift from me. Yet, I am still devoted to my wife after all these years apart. I couldn’t have it any other way…and neither should you. Study this message and embrace the gifts that God gives you.

 

Together, bear much fruit and glorify God.

i-CH
Bearing You Fruit

75 Comments

  25. SEO
    SEO on July 14, 2024 at 2:52 pm

    Search Engine Bias And Seo SEO

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *