As mentioned in my earlier blog, I started not believing nor knowing what to make of the marriage vow—“Until death do us part.” My nature was to get. Your value to me was what you could give. Sadly, this need was insatiable. Surely, there must be more to life than self? As though like metal in a junkyard pulled to a humongous magnet, I was drawn to a quest for answers. Thus, I secretly devoured books and the Bible.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly place, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world . . . In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will . . .1
Having swung from right to left, feeling left out with what the world had to offer, I had my sordid stories to tell. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, . . . the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . .2 A past so colorful. Now washed clean! Not by any merit of mine.
As I began to know Jesus, my understanding and appreciation of marriage evolved. He divulged Himself as a covenant keeping God (Read Joshua 5:1-12). He is faithful. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.3
Being sure of my identity in Christ changed my thinking and behavior. In him you also when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.4
Experiencing and knowing that He first loved me unconditionally made it possible for me to commit to a marriage.
Notes:
1. Ephesians 1:3-5
2. Romans 3:21-24
3. Hebrews 13:8
4. Ephesians 1:13-14
