"Dearly Beloved"
Reading: Colossians 3.13
Reading: Colossians 3.13
I had a very unique experience a couple of weeks ago. I performed a wedding ceremony at the Tuesday night rehearsal of our Worship Band. Carl, our drummer, married Carol; his second marriage, her first. What was unique was not the location or surroundings, it was the reason. They have a formal ceremony and reception planned for June--the big event and its party. But before that time arrives, Carol's lease ran out. It was not possible to move back to her parents' home--but Carol and Carl did not want to move in together before the wedding. They did not consider it appropriate to their Christian faith to "live together" for 7-8 weeks before their marriage was consecrated.
As a pastor, I need to tell you that this is indeed a unique attitude. Many people live together these days, sometimes years before getting married. I know some pastors who require them to move out before and until the ceremony occurs. I have always considered this a legalistic charade that really honors no one, just as I believe "living together" is not as committed as saying "I do" before God and the witnesses. I'm just glad when couples decide to make the commitment real and get married--finally!
A marriage is a sacred covenant. It is a covenant between a man and a woman made before God. It is a covenant with God as well. A covenant says as much about the covenant-maker as the one who receives the blessings of that covenant. A Christian marriage is a "setting apart" of two people for the purpose of making a new family--a one flesh relationship where the love of God is manifested in a special way. A relationship that should take on the character of the One Who first loved us and Whose love makes the marriage relationship possible. In a morally confused world, a marriage that is committed to reflecting the character of Christ can bring great praise to God. But the heart of a Christian marriage is rooted in what you believe about God and the sacredness of your relationship with Him.
Somehow saying that nothing about our relationship with God should reflect badly on God is indeed a unique attitude. Whether married or single, our actions, our decisions, do reflect upon God if we are known as God's people.
This devotional is published on behalf of the Church of God of Landisville and its friends. (C) 2009 by Stephen L Dunn. All rights reserved.
As a pastor, I need to tell you that this is indeed a unique attitude. Many people live together these days, sometimes years before getting married. I know some pastors who require them to move out before and until the ceremony occurs. I have always considered this a legalistic charade that really honors no one, just as I believe "living together" is not as committed as saying "I do" before God and the witnesses. I'm just glad when couples decide to make the commitment real and get married--finally!
A marriage is a sacred covenant. It is a covenant between a man and a woman made before God. It is a covenant with God as well. A covenant says as much about the covenant-maker as the one who receives the blessings of that covenant. A Christian marriage is a "setting apart" of two people for the purpose of making a new family--a one flesh relationship where the love of God is manifested in a special way. A relationship that should take on the character of the One Who first loved us and Whose love makes the marriage relationship possible. In a morally confused world, a marriage that is committed to reflecting the character of Christ can bring great praise to God. But the heart of a Christian marriage is rooted in what you believe about God and the sacredness of your relationship with Him.
Somehow saying that nothing about our relationship with God should reflect badly on God is indeed a unique attitude. Whether married or single, our actions, our decisions, do reflect upon God if we are known as God's people.
This devotional is published on behalf of the Church of God of Landisville and its friends. (C) 2009 by Stephen L Dunn. All rights reserved.
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