Msg #1505 A Crucible Called Marriage

What The Bible Says

Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

The epistle which answers the most questions about marriage and divorce also provides a list of fifteen characteristics of true love. There is no greater laboratory for testing every one of these fifteen qualities than the institution of marriage. There is no institution better equipped to reveal the depths and purity of God's love than the Christian home. Some crucial things found when entering this laboratory is that love suffereth long, is not easily provoked, and endureth all things. An entry into marriage is intended to be a full time and a lifetime testing of our ability to demonstrate true love. In marriage love is not a gushy feeling, it is a command of God. And in this laboratory of God's design, a true love grows and develops... or not. Never let it be said in your home, “We drifted apart.” Jesus says of his commands, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Purpose to maintain a Christlike, Christian marriage. The marriage vows only have provision for a love which will endure all things. Marriage vows are sacred vows taken before God and man. Christian marriage vows contain the line, “Until death do us part.” They have no prenuptial agreement about another way of ending this arrangement. They require one man and one woman for one lifetime, faithfulness and fidelity. There is a life time commitment in the vow. It also contains the clause, “In sickness and health, for richer or poorer.” That is only an introduction to “enduring all things.” The full depth of “suffering long” is tested in the crucible of life. It is played out in the bedroom, in the finances and in old family ties of a Christian home. The laboratory where, “enduring all things,” is tested, is indeed called marriage.

An Essay for week #5 Feb 1, 15

Msg in audio at www.GSBaptistChurch.com/audio/gs150201.mp3

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