Characteristics of Life
in Common. As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear
with one another, and forgive one another if anyone has reason to
be offended with another. You must forgive just as the Lord has
forgiven you. Colossians 3:12-13, NCB
During his speech at the wedding reception, a groom wiped his eyes
and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a very emotional day.
Even the wedding cake is in tiers.”
Most marriages have their share of tears, but we must determine that
hardships will only bring us closer to the one we love. It’s a
decision we make. When a couple faces emotional times, they can turn
to the Lord and lean on one another.
The Bible says marital love is modeled after the love Christ feels
for His Bride—the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Christ doesn’t love us
because of our merits. He knows we’re sinners. He loves us just
because He loves us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8). He gave Himself for
us, unworthy as we are. In the same way, the love of Christ within
us seeks to serve, not to be served.
Our love in marriage must embrace all the faults and failures we
bring to the relationship. Christ loves us as we are. Ask God to
enable you to love your spouse as Christ loves you. That’s a love
that never ends.
A happy marriage is the
union of two good forgivers.
