For Christmas one of our granddaughters gave us this lovely canvas rendition of 1 Corinthians 13. I hope she was affirming what she sees in our marriage and family. This is an awesome benchmark for humans to aspire to--unachievable every day without divine help!Pir, an acquaintance from many years ago, recognized that Love comes from God. He is a former Sufi Muslim and shared his testimony with our men’s group in Pakistan. He is from a mystical group of Muslims—a group looked to for spiritual power. Pir was attracted to experiencing God’s love. He was confronted with the truth of the Gospel message and was drawn to it. But he got hung up with the concept of The Trinity. Being philosophical in nature, the Holy Spirit helped him reason it out that if God is Love, there has to be an object of love even before the creation of the world. He saw this clearly in the concept of ‘Beloved’ between God the Father and God the Son and the Holy Spirit. (“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matt. 3:17) This mysterious knowledge convinced him of the truth of the Gospel and has kept Pir going to this day!
God demonstrated his love for and commitment to mankind with covenants. The word “covenant” means “a coming together” and is mentioned in the
Bible over 300 times. There are 6 specific ones mentioned--with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and New Covenant(Testament).
Recently an Iranian friend took us out for supper. When we left the restaurant I opened the car door for my wife. As I went to the other side, our friend said "He loves you." Hopefully in our relationships there are other signs of love and sacrifice--"putting aside personal pride and choosing common ground in an argument--or working to understand other views over your own when it comes to handling money--or working to show the best love we can...The love we need more of, in this complex world of challenges, is a love that puts the other, before ourself." (from Lorna Dueck)
Christian marriage is a covenant. We promise each other with God and the audience as our witnesses that we will be true to each other 'for better or worse, rich or poor, in sickness and health, until death.'
Our Persian friends showed us their lengthy 'Marriage Contract'. Sometimes these include a clause if unable to have children, the marriage can be annulled. I ran across the ‘Difference between a Contractual and Covenant Marriage’.
Contract: I take thee for me. Covenant: I give myself to thee.
Our Persian friends showed us their lengthy 'Marriage Contract'. Sometimes these include a clause if unable to have children, the marriage can be annulled. I ran across the ‘Difference between a Contractual and Covenant Marriage’.
Contract: I take thee for me. Covenant: I give myself to thee.
Contract: You had better do it. Covenant: How may I serve you?
Contract: What do I get? Covenant: What can I give?
Contract: I’ll meet you halfway. Covenant: I’ll give you 100% plus.
Contract: I have to. Covenant: I want to.
There is a lot of brokenness in Muslim marriages--some related to an arranged marriage, little sense of teamwork in the home or a threat of taking another wife. Believer friends Ahmed and Karima's marriage was going very bumpy. They didn't yet have a good understanding of marriage from a biblical point of view. Finally, their mentor decided that what they needed was a 'Christian marriage'. In it they made covenant vows that brought them closer to each other.
There is a lot of brokenness in Muslim marriages--some related to an arranged marriage, little sense of teamwork in the home or a threat of taking another wife. Believer friends Ahmed and Karima's marriage was going very bumpy. They didn't yet have a good understanding of marriage from a biblical point of view. Finally, their mentor decided that what they needed was a 'Christian marriage'. In it they made covenant vows that brought them closer to each other.
Recently an Iranian friend took us out for supper. When we left the restaurant I opened the car door for my wife. As I went to the other side, our friend said "He loves you." Hopefully in our relationships there are other signs of love and sacrifice--"putting aside personal pride and choosing common ground in an argument--or working to understand other views over your own when it comes to handling money--or working to show the best love we can...The love we need more of, in this complex world of challenges, is a love that puts the other, before ourself." (from Lorna Dueck)
Dear Heavenly Father, may our marriage showcase how you are in our marriage. Amen.
