“This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it back again.
No one is taking it from me; I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This is what my Father has commanded me.” John 10:17-18
God gave Jesus the command to lay his life down and take it up again. This command is both responsibility and authority.
When God gives responsibility, He also gives authority so the command can be achieved.
So consider what He says on marriage:
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.
This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:31-33
God gives the command–responsibility and authority–for husbands and wives to leave and cleave—becoming one, and for husbands to love their wives and wives to respect their husbands.
The corrupt flesh, the world, and the enemy are not going to help.
Selfishness, pride, lust, idolatry, and those who steal, kill, and destroy do not help your marriage.
They will attack your responsibility and/or authority to leave-and-cleave and/or to love-and-respect.
Focus on God as your source and example who defines your responsibilities and provides the authority to achieve oneness, love, and respect.
And–metaphorically–cut off at the knees anything that gets in the way of holy and righteous oneness, love, and respect! Leave it in your wake to die so you can live at a higher level!
Because the better we do in marriage the more we will understand the relationship between Father God, Jesus, and the Church–His Bride.
Jesus lived and laid His life down to rescue us, and rose again to prepare a place for us, fulfilling the Father’s command. We are going to spend eternity with the Father and Jesus (and the Holy Spirit), doing and enjoying the things He has planned.
Yes, relationships with others may have to suffer and even die in order for your marriage to achieve oneness, love, and respect. God knows–read Matthew 10. This life is going to have challenges in relationships. Your boundaries need fixing and maintaining. If you cannot do it for your marriage, you will not be able to do it for your relationship with God.
Are you letting others get in the way of God’s best for your marriage? If so, stop it! Fix and maintain good boundaries!
Are you living God’s command for oneness, love, and respect in your marriage? Make progress so tomorrow can and will be better than today. .
Exploring Life Through Marriage 