The Ultimate Love Story

REVIEW: Gen. 3:8; 2 Cor. 4:16; Acts 17:28

READ:  Think of the most romantic movie you’ve ever watched or book you’ve ever read.  Ladies, you may be swooning at this very minute just thinking of the passionate, heroic valor of the man of your dreams fighting to win the favor of your heart!  Men, you may be smiling silently as you imagine rescuing the beautiful heroine from danger, inviting her to join your side in adventurous living.  These love stories contain passion, pursuit, and great perseverance.  Would you be surprised to discover that God’s Word, the Bible, in its most basic terms is a love story of such epic proportions?

In eternity past, God, a holy trinity, was in fellowship and communion within Himself (John 1:1-2).  As such, He chose out a special group of people, the Body of Christ, to share in a special relationship with Himself “in love” (Eph. 1:4).  He also determined the “fellowship of [this] mystery” before the world was ever formed (Eph. 3:9).  In the timeline of Scripture, before any physical act is recorded or completed, God has established both the nature of this Book and all the history that is soon to be set in motion.  It is rooted, focuses upon and emanates from love and relationship!   

From this point forward, we discover the creation of Adam and Eve as we’ve already briefly considered. The annals of history then chronicle the love story of God seeking another chosen out people, the Nation of Israel and the rise and fall of their relationship.  God’s passion and pursuit of them is relentless, ultimately sending them the fulfillment of His many promises – Jesus Christ.  Due to Israel’s rejection of such a gift, God, in great pain and despair, temporarily set aside the “apple of His eye”, allowing His original desire for love and relationship to be fulfilled through the Body of Christ. 

It is here we stand today.  Col. 1:27-28 reveals furthermore that the riches of this same mystery are also expressed in deep and intimate relationship with Christ.  So much more is to be said the passionate pursuit of God towards His children, particularly in the Age of Grace.  Yet, for our purposes here, it is only as we recognize and open our hearts and minds to a vibrant, dynamic, passionate and intimately personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that the true source and fuel for finding and living out our own “love story” with our spouse can come to pass.   

Far too many of our marriages lack passion because we’ve never encountered the passion of Jesus Christ for His Church (Rom. 5; Eph. 1).  We lack intimacy for our hearts have not truly entered into rich communion with our Savior as God has intended, desired and afforded us through Christ. 

REFLECT:

·       How has my walk with God been lately?  Am I making full use of all I’ve been given and all that has been made available to me in Christ Jesus?

·       What does my marriage look like when I am walking in intimacy with God?  When I’m not? 

RESPOND:

·       Though intimacy with God is a deeply personal endeavor, we can always encourage our spouse in their relationship with their God.  Most definitely we can always help our spouse and improve our relationship as we ourselves seek Him more and more.  Today, secure extra time out of your busy schedule to spend with your Savior.  Become better acquainted, personally speaking, with the desires of His heart.