by Pastor Vincent Imwensi
(Continued from part 1)
An anchor in the storm
It is not only sexual unfaithfulness that tears love apart. More often than not, it has to do with the storms of life. They come to everyone in one form or the other. It is only those relationships that weather the storm that live to tell the story.
I can truly testify that if it had not been for God in our marriage, the whole thing would have been long done for. In fact, right from the time of courtship before we got married, there were already hostile winds that threatened to put an end to our relationship. Many marriages and relationships that have crumbled did not experience half the turbulence that ours has gone through and it is stronger than ever before. The secret? God and His word!
Why then do Christian marriages fail?
There is no denying the fact that many Christian marriages are ending in divorce nowadays including those of gospel ministers but that does not diminish the veracity of what I am sharing with you.
I admit that challenges differ from one marriage to another but the truth remains that if both couples in a Christian marriage will do what God says to do, that marriage will not break come hell or high waters. Don’t forget that it is one thing to know and it is another thing to do. The benefit belongs to those who know and do rather than those who know but fail to do (for whatever reasons).
Show me one Christian marriage (anywhere for that matter) where the husband loves his wife like God commands in His word and the wife totally submits to her husband like God says a wife should do, which ended in a divorce. You are not likely going to find any.
But unfortunately, these days, human wisdom and philosophical ideologies have been brought in to replace or “fine-tune” the word of God, and that is why the unthinkable is now happening in the church.
A big Mistake
I am surprised to find out that so many people don’t want to involve God in their relationships including some so called Christians. For a lot of people, it is ok to acknowledge God in their relationship but only to a certain extent. Some tend to think that a deeper commitment to God will ruin their marriage and family life. Nothing can be further from the truth.
I have seen people fight hard to keep their spouses away from churches especially those ones where true-hearted commitment to the things of God is emphasized.
If you are wise, you will be the one dragging your reluctant spouse to church (I mean a living church).
There is no better source of the wisdom, understanding and positive godly influence needed to keep your love protected from countless vices than a good church.
Love beyond the romantic
Let me quickly point out that romantic love is not the only type of love. There is also the love between friends and family members. It is called phillia love.
But the greatest love of all is the unconditional love of God called agape in the Bible. This is the love with which God loves everyone of us (good or bad). And that is why He continues to pour His blessings upon the ungodly who snub Him as well as the God-fearing who keep His word and do His will.
See how the Bible puts it:
“All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him (i.e. Jesus Christ) the iniquity of us all”(1)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”(2)
“This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins”(3)
We are all in need of God’s love (whether we know it or not). And I am happy to let you know dear friend that God loves you irrespective of who you are and what you have done right or wrong.
To express His love for us, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to this world in order to pay the penalty for your sins. He died a horrible death on the cross after an unimaginable torture to pay that price for us – all because of God’s love for you and I.
Rejected or betrayed love
I think one of the most painful ordeals to the human heart is rejected or betrayed love. Have you ever loved somebody and they turned down your love? Have you ever loved somebody and they betrayed your love? How does it feel?
If you’ve never had that experience, you don’t need to go far to find out. Just check out some newspapers, magazines or watch some documentaries. Read the heart rending accounts of people whose lovers betrayed their love, listen to the sad tales behind many broken marriages and relationships, find out the truth behind many “crimes of passion” (like they call it) – and you will realize how painful it is.
I am sure you’ve heard the word “broken-hearted” before. It can be caused by a number of things but nothing breaks the heart like betrayed or rejected love.
Don’t reject God’s love for you!
How do you think God feels when His love is rejected the way so many people are doing today?
Rejecting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is tantamount to rejecting the love of God for your soul. It is not that God is forcing anyone to accept His love – the choice is ours whether to accept or reject His wonderful and underserved love.
But whatever type of love it is, they all have something in common – the capacity to generate so much good when properly received and handled as well as the capacity to do the very opposite when rejected, betrayed or spurned. Many a family feud is caused by “soured love.”
Rejecting God’s love in particular, has eternal repercussions and hence the Bible asks: How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation in Christ Jesus?(4)
Here, it is talking about escaping God’s coming judgment.
Don’t let God’s love for you to turn sour.
Open your heart and embrace His wonderful love by receiving the free salvation that God is offering you in Christ Jesus. Why not do it today? Click here for more help.
(Reerences: (1)Isaiah 53:6 (2)John 3:16 (3)1John 4:10 (4)Hebrews 2:3)
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