"Marriage: Love as Christ Loves Us"

When the Bible speaks of Christ's love for His bride, the church, we need to recognize that WE are the church. We are His bride. He loves us so deeply that He was willing to suffer for us, even when He was abandoned or betrayed. This level of commitment and devotion is a tough model to follow, but it is one that we should strive to emulate in our own lives, particularly in our marriages. As spouses, we were designed to love and care for one another, but this can only be fully realized if we are willing to work through our own pain and insecurities. It's not always easy, but if we want to be like Christ, we must return love even when our ego is wounded. We must choose to pursue our spouse and work through any obstacles even when we would rather avoid conflict. Most importantly, we must continue to serve and support our spouse, even after we have been scarred by the challenges of life. This is the true essence of a Christ-like love in marriage.

In the scriptures, 1 Peter 2:21,23 reminds us of the example set by Christ. It says, "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps... When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly." These verses serve as a powerful reminder that regardless of the actions of others, we are called to love and forgive just as Christ did. It is not always easy to love unconditionally, especially when we are hurt or betrayed by those we hold dear. However, if we truly want to be like Christ and fulfill our purpose as spouses, we must be willing to let go of our own pride and ego and choose love regardless of the circumstances.

When we choose to love like Christ, we are not only strengthening our marriages but also mirroring God's love for His people. Just as Christ loved His bride sacrificially, we too are called to sacrificially love our spouses. This means putting their needs before our own and being willing to endure hardships for their sake. It means choosing forgiveness over bitterness and choosing compassion over judgment. It means continuing to serve and support them even when it feels difficult or exhausting.

Following the example of Christ's love for His bride is not always easy, but it is necessary for a strong and fulfilling marriage. By choosing to love regardless of the circumstances, returning love when our egos are wounded, pursuing our spouse even when it's uncomfortable, and serving after we've been scarred, we can have a happy and fulfilling marriage. Open the Bible and look to scripture, such as 1 Peter 2:21,23, as a guide for how we can love our spouses in a way that reflects the love of Christ. In doing so, we will not only experience a deeper level of intimacy and connection in our marriages but also reflect God's unconditional love to the world around us. Love as Christ loves us! ©Rita Larson 8/24/2023

#BrideOfChrist #LoveLikeJesus #LoveYourSpouse #OnWordandUpWord

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