Marriage and Family Meditations XV
Psalms 104:34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD.
Cornerstone Ministries Napa Valley
Family Church
Hi Family, and Friends,
One of the great misconceptions of the Christian life is demonstrated in the phrase “We are going to Church”. As you think about it I hope we can all see that this is a clear misrepresentation of what “Church” is…
Church is not a place we go. Church is who we are!
(Col. 1: 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is
lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,…)
It would be more accurate and helpful if we learned to say, “We are going to worship at the sanctuary” or the “meeting hall” or “Cornerstone Ministries”. Why is this so important that I would write to you about it, you ask? Well I’ll tell you why I have come to believe it is important. It is because it helps to show us we understand who we are, and reminds us that we never leave church, we are always “The Church”, and under the headship of Jesus Christ, we are His body.
All of our lives, at home, at work, at school, in our recreation, are under the headship of Jesus Christ. Each family and every individual in the church, are called to conduct our lives in an attitude of worship, praise, faith, hope, and love as we serve the Lord Jesus daily. Be encouraged to read Colossians 3:12 – 17
Ephesians 5:25 -33 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. ” For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” (emphasis added)
Each time I teach, or share with a married couple, out of this passage I see a little more of this “great mystery” unfold. It is obvious that Christ’s relationship with the church is revealed in a very intimate and personal way, in the relationship of Christian husbands, and Christian wives.
Can you see the connection here? “For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones”. Jesus is the head and we day by day are his body, working, ministering, sharing, loving, caring, serving in the world to build the church and share the gospel for which He came. The degree to which we submit to His Lordship through His loving Spirit and purposes, shows in the fruits of our lives. The measure of our submission is demonstrated in the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Something to Meditate on:
Ask yourself, is it important to Jesus Christ that I submit to His word, to His leadership, to His purposes. Am I allowing Him to wash me with His word, to cleanse me, to sanctify me, to be holy and pure in the conduct of this life? Is my life His or my own? Is my body His or my own? Is my marriage His or my own? Am I serving and ministering, responding as an active member of the church, His body…or not?
I pray that as we ask ourselves these questions we will see clearly the truth of our lives and rededicate ourselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to the cleansing of His word, and to obedience and submission to His sanctifying work in us day by day.
May your life and your marriage reflect the Lordship, love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, in all ways.
Love and Blessings in Jesus Vince