The two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Mark 10:8-9
Recently a reader in our community sent me a link to the video posted below. It is a compilation of three men sharing on marriage: Paul Washer, John Piper, Voddie Baucham. It is a great reminder of how God desires us to endure in marriage, for better or worse.
If you are experiencing a season of hardship in your marriage, I hope and pray this video encourages you, and fills you with faith to hang in there! Please take a moment to view this video and then check out my thoughts of it posted below.
When these words came on the screen my heart sank:
How would you ever learn unconditional love if you were married to someone who met all the conditions?
How would you ever learn mercy, patience, long suffering, or heart felt compassion if you were married to someone who never failed you? Who is never difficult with you? Who never sinned against you? Who is never slow to acknowledge their sin or ask for forgiveness?
How would you ever learn grace to pour out your favor on someone who did not deserve it? If you were married to someone who was always deserving of all good things?”
I was reminded that our focus of marriage should not be whether our spouse meets all conditions perfectly, to provide an easy relationship to enjoy, rather the we should focus on the opportunities God gives us in marriage to build up our character.
Marriage is a platform to practice the same qualities or characteristics of Christ.
You are married to a person who does not meet all the conditions, so that you might learn unconditional love. You are married to a person who needs mercy, so that you learn to give it. You are married to a person who does not deserve so that you learn to pour lavishly yourself out on a person who does not respond appropriately.
And thus you become like the God you worship!“
The main purpose of marriage is that through your marriage you become transformed to the image of Jesus Christ.”
This is HUGE! I pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to remember these truths as we respond to our spouse, bearing the fruit of the Spirit!