Aug
5
Written by:
Bob Flynn
8/5/2008 5:58 PM
We as men are responsible for our marriage. Even if its demise would be totally the wife's fault (we would remain responsible!).
One of the first things you will discover as a husband is that you do not understand your wife. The reason for that is the dead decaying flesh in which we reside! An example from Scripture may be found in the illustration the Apostle Paul used in Romans Chapter 7. We see the example of two husbands and one wife. The first husband is the law which is perfect but not very helpful. The second husband is Christ who is also perfect but helpful in every way! To my way of thinking it would have been helpful to do away with the first husband. However, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ chose instead to do away with the wife. In the flesh we, like Paul, do the things we abhor rather than those things that are right.
Isn't this a great foundation for a marriage? NOT! What then is required? Death! A new marriage must proceed from a new heart! According to William Tyndale, when God "buildeth he casteth all downe first. He is no patcher." Your marriage will not become great by reading all the right books, nor attending a years worth of weekends to remember! A good marriage flows from obedience! Just as the catechism says, " the chief end of marriage is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
It is because of Christ's tender mercy that He retains not one thing of our old selves! Instead we are created new in Christ Jesus! The old man never changes. The new man is renewed and transformed minute by minute.
We as men are responsible for our marriage. Even if its demise would be totally the wife's fault (we would remain responsible!). Since you are the Bride of Christ, how are you doing as a wife? Are you submitted to the headship of your husband, Jesus? For therein lie all the joy and happiness that can be found. "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?" (Philippians 2:1 NLT)