Chapter 4: Married to
Christ
The Person Who Changes You
Eze 16:8, Isa 54:5, Eph 5:32
Stay Focused on Christ
2 Cor 11:1-3, Col 1:15-23, Col 2:1-15
Married to Christ: 2 Cor 11:1-3
“God reconciles sinners to Himself through Christ and
welcomes us into a relationship that is intensely personal. He does not simply
tolerate us; He brings us close to Himself by giving Himself to us. Christ is
our Husband and we are his bride. We are married to Christ” (50).
“What false lovers entice you to forget your true husband
and the faithfulness He deserves? Why do we worship other things in place of
Christ? Quite simply, we worship what we find attractive. We allow many things
to eclipse the beauty of Christ” (50).
“Guard your heart against anything that intrudes upon that
primary relationship. Fight against anything that calls your loyalty into
question. Because it is so easy to stray, you must fight the temptation every
moment. My marriage to Christ is the most important relationship and
circumstance of my life” (50).
1.
If I am married to Christ, the core of my
present life is not personal happiness, but spiritual purity.
2.
My betrothal to Christ has a ‘now and then’
structure
a.
“Since Christ is the prize, anything that could
draw me away from him is no longer essential” (51).
3.
The Christian life is all-inclusive
a.
“…the heart of Christianity is remaining
faithful to Christ in a world where many other ‘lovers’ seek my affection”
(51).
Christ the Bridegroom: Col 1:15-24
“Jesus is more awesome and beautiful than anything else in creation!
When we see Him as He is, why would we want to give our affection to any other?
The Blessings of our Union with Christ: Col 1:21-23 and
2:1-15
“Marriage becomes what it is meant to be when your spouse
gets to know the real you and loves you anyway! It is the same with our
marriage to Christ. We cannot fully appreciate the blessings Christ brings
until we see ourselves as we truly are. Then we are amazed at how gracious and
merciful Jesus is” (53).
“In a way, this passage functions as a reality check on the
eve of your wedding to Christ. If you accept the truth of the way it describes
you, you could be filled with guilt and shame toward your future husband. You
know you can’t be the spouse you need to be! You have two choices: You can run
away, overwhelmed by the prospect of failure, or you can comfort yourself
because of the character of the person you are about to marry” (55).
Christ has given us past grace, present grace, and future
grace!
Assets and Liabilities: Ways We Forget Christ
1.
Perceived assets
a.
“We can put our confidence in our performance
and obedience rather than recognizing them as gifts & strengths that should
lead to gratitude” (57).
2.
Christ’s assets
a.
Eph 1:3
b.
“If blessings come, they are opportunities to
thank God for His goodness. If difficulties come, they are opportunities to
grow more dependent upon Him” (58).
Getting Practical
“We have been chosen from the mass of humanity to live in an
intimate union with Christ. It is amazing even to be tolerated by God. It would
be an honor simply to be invited to the wedding! It is beyond comprehension to
be the beloved bride of the King of kings and Lord of lords! When you
understand this, you can’t help but live life aware of the honor, privilege,
and blessing that are yours….As part of the bride of Christ, you are connected
to the most important things in the universe. Your union with Him gives meaning
to everything you do and say” (59).
“It is tempting to forget God and to grow proud and
independent in times of difficulty and blessing. But remembering your union
with Christ reminds you that any good thing in your life is the result of His mercy
and grace, not your own wisdom, goodness, and effort. Any effort we put into
our lives began with the strength He gives us and continues because He is
committed to us forever!” (60).
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