Marriage

I write this, not from experience but from keen observation. I write this knowing that I do not have wisdom on the basis and depths of these precepts, having not known them myself but only deeply affected by means of witnessing such things in the lives of those most dear to me. Things perceived when moments were most happy and when moments were deep with sorrow. I have observed marriage, a fervent love. From the mouths of those whom I speak of, it has been proclaimed that great joy is found in marriage. The source of joy in this relationship does not come from merely the two people, but the experiences that the Giver places upon them. Beloved soul, be careful not to seek supreme contentment in an earthen vessel, for in it sin is revealed and one day the outcome is loss. I must acknowledge that apart from Christ(where in Him no sin can be revealed and no loss of Him ever known) no joy exists but rather trapped desperation. This joy is not of ourselves, therefore, it cannot be found in another mortal being, so it must be shared by each other, not sought in one another. The joy that resounds in a believers marriage(those pursuing holiness) is beautiful to watch because it consists of sacrificial commitment, trusting in the Sovereign, hoping in grace, enduring pain and persisting through hurt. The commitment, trust, hope, endurance and persistence come from the same Giver that allowed the pain and hurt to occur. As a result of these moments, or months or years joy is granted in grace by the means of ordained grief. (It is not only in the contexts of marriage that this deep grief occurs, but that is the most intimate of human relationships created by God.) We see no greater picture of this than at the cross, where no greater sorrow and no greater joy can be found.

Now, I must tell you of a heavenly marriage that is bound by this act of the cross. This marriage is eternal, never ending by any cause. The bridegroom, the Lamb of God, Christ is the husband of His bride, the church, the body of believers. It is the result of sin that death parts an earthly marriage but it is because of our sin and His love that Christ came to conquer sin and death through the power of the cross and resurrection to grant an eternal marriage of which we are never parted. Sin separates us from God, Christ reconciles us by His perfect sacrifice. By this reconciliation, in grace, we are given an everlasting, loving marriage to the sweet Lamb of God. Praise be to Him who grants cleansing of sin, putting upon us the spotless robe of righteousness that we forever wear as God's bride. Here lies joy. This truth should cause us to mourn over our sin and to have a holy fear towards the Lord with thankful hearts, rejoicing in His works alone.