Other title: The Gospel On Display in the Single Life
But first a word on marriage:
Marriage is a picture of the gospel on display, the same way Christ loves the church the groom loves his bride. The same way Christ forgives His bride, the bride and groom forgive each other in their lives together.
But in marriage the man won't ever be able to completely satisfy his wife.
In marriage the woman won't ever be able to completely satisfy her husband.
The two will never be able to know each other completely or love each other fully.
They will never be exactly what the other needs. Why? Because as humans, guess what? We are sinners. A sinner can't fix a sinner! We will only make each other our idol and brake their heart and ours in the process. We are sinners who need a Savior.
Back to Single life:
Singlehood is the gospel on display in a Christians life! What? Wait! Now, Vicki, you just said that about marriage! Not sure you can say this about single life. Um... like. YEAH I can! Because as a single woman who has longed for marriage, idolized marriage, dispised marriage, and longed for again I have learned a secret that married and single people alike need to remember. That is that Jesus can fulfill my all my desires. Often it will look different in a single life then that of a married. The family that I have always longed for has ended up being my Jesus family. My longings and my heart might actually be the same as any married woman out there! To be loved fully and well. To be known intimately. To be cherished, protected, and provided for. All of these things can be found in a deep and sweet relationship with Jesus Holy Spirit.
Jesus is the Savior we need. Jesus ultimately satisfies. Jesus knows each of us completely -- His knowledge goes deep down into our souls and way back into our past, even what we were thinking in our hardest times. Jesus loves and understands His children better then any spouse ever could or will ever try.
The first question of the Shorter Catechism is: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Why'd I bring this up? Because I believe that as we grow closer to Jesus and live out life in gospel communities and share these relationships with the world around us we will be glorifying and enjoying Christ. We still sinners. We are still going to fail and fall flat on our faces, but these time--when living in community and infront of unbelievers--are great displays of the gospel of Jesus. That He came, loved broken people who NEED Him, died the death they deserved and forgave them. Giving us hope and pulling us up out of the mud to live life again in Him.
God doesn't change when we do. Our relationship with Holy Spirit doesn't have to change with our circumstances.
A friend once said to me: If you aren't satisfied now, you won't be satisfied in marriage. That is a great encouragement to me that my relationship with Christ really is what is most, best, always be what I need.
So single (or married) girls out there, go forth! Grow in your relationship in our Lord Jesus Who has set you free from the law of sin and death! Cling tight to the Truth of the Bible! Glorify Him in your days, and live life in light of the gospel. Test every thought against the gospel.
But first a word on marriage:
Marriage is a picture of the gospel on display, the same way Christ loves the church the groom loves his bride. The same way Christ forgives His bride, the bride and groom forgive each other in their lives together.
But in marriage the man won't ever be able to completely satisfy his wife.
In marriage the woman won't ever be able to completely satisfy her husband.
The two will never be able to know each other completely or love each other fully.
They will never be exactly what the other needs. Why? Because as humans, guess what? We are sinners. A sinner can't fix a sinner! We will only make each other our idol and brake their heart and ours in the process. We are sinners who need a Savior.
Back to Single life:
Singlehood is the gospel on display in a Christians life! What? Wait! Now, Vicki, you just said that about marriage! Not sure you can say this about single life. Um... like. YEAH I can! Because as a single woman who has longed for marriage, idolized marriage, dispised marriage, and longed for again I have learned a secret that married and single people alike need to remember. That is that Jesus can fulfill my all my desires. Often it will look different in a single life then that of a married. The family that I have always longed for has ended up being my Jesus family. My longings and my heart might actually be the same as any married woman out there! To be loved fully and well. To be known intimately. To be cherished, protected, and provided for. All of these things can be found in a deep and sweet relationship with Jesus Holy Spirit.
Jesus is the Savior we need. Jesus ultimately satisfies. Jesus knows each of us completely -- His knowledge goes deep down into our souls and way back into our past, even what we were thinking in our hardest times. Jesus loves and understands His children better then any spouse ever could or will ever try.
The first question of the Shorter Catechism is: What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
Why'd I bring this up? Because I believe that as we grow closer to Jesus and live out life in gospel communities and share these relationships with the world around us we will be glorifying and enjoying Christ. We still sinners. We are still going to fail and fall flat on our faces, but these time--when living in community and infront of unbelievers--are great displays of the gospel of Jesus. That He came, loved broken people who NEED Him, died the death they deserved and forgave them. Giving us hope and pulling us up out of the mud to live life again in Him.
God doesn't change when we do. Our relationship with Holy Spirit doesn't have to change with our circumstances.
A friend once said to me: If you aren't satisfied now, you won't be satisfied in marriage. That is a great encouragement to me that my relationship with Christ really is what is most, best, always be what I need.
So single (or married) girls out there, go forth! Grow in your relationship in our Lord Jesus Who has set you free from the law of sin and death! Cling tight to the Truth of the Bible! Glorify Him in your days, and live life in light of the gospel. Test every thought against the gospel.
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