Marriage and Family Meditations XIII
Psalms 104:34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.
Cornerstone Ministries Napa Valley
Death and New Perspectives for Life Part II
Hi Family, and Friends,
Proverbs 14:27 “For fear (reverence) of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death”
Another way that the bible teaches us about death is by relating it to how we live. There is God’s way of life lived in the reverence of our Creator God, according to His word, and there is the “world’s way,” which the Bible describes as “the law of sin and death”.
One of the more obvious areas of life where the contrast between life and death, light and darkness can be seen today is in the intimate relationships of marriage and the family.
The Bible teaches us that Marriage is a good thing and it was created by God in the very beginning so the bible describes it as a special and holy union, a covenantal relationship between a man and woman and the Lord Himself.
Genesis 2:18 “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make a helper comparable to him.”
Pr. 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.”
Heb. 13:4 “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
In counseling with Christian married couples I see how some conduct their lives and how their relationship with our Lord brings such great joy and love into their home. Their reverence and humble service to the Lord springs forth with the Spirit of Life, that overflows their family. As husbands and wives walk after the Spirit they blossom and produce the fruits of the Spirit that shine forth from their lives with the light of life in Jesus. They exercise the self sacrificial love and ministry of the Spirit to one another and to their children, to their church family and many others around their circle of influence. Many of these families are not rich in material possessions or worldly wealth, but they are rich in spiritual life, and have God’s word dwelling in them richly truly singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs making melody in their hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3: 12 – 17
In other “Christian homes” by contrast we all too often see “The snares of death” taking hold of the marriage. Lack of fear (reverence) for the Lord, leads them to indulge in the sinful “snares” of the world and the flesh. Selfishness, pride, greed, and indulgence in life dominating sin demonstrate their unwillingness seek God’s kingdom and pursue righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Bit by bit they bring destructive behavior into their relationship until they bring death to the marriage. The destruction of marriages in the Christian community stems from one or both partners choices to follow after, to indulge the flesh rather than following and obeying the spirit.
Galatians 5:16 –26 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Romans 6:1 – 2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
How is your family living? What are the fruits? We are free to make the choice! Let’s Choose the Spirit!
Love and Blessings in Jesus Vince