What God Has Joined Together

There are so many instances in the bible where the church (not the building – the people – the followers of Christ) is compared to a bride and Jesus as the bridegroom. So, when I read today’s bible verse, another popped into my head with it, Mark 10:9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no man pull asunder.  Mark is referencing a time when Pharisees asked Jesus about His views on divorce. Jesus makes it clear that the bond that God creates is a sacred one. He warns against anyone trying to separate what He has joined.

A Marriage Of The Spirit

One verse is about marriage – the other is about the followers of Christ. It occurred to me, however, that these verses are related. In the same way that God wants husbands and wives to love each other, protect each other, and remain faithful to each other, he wants the same for our relationship with Him. Once we accept Jesus as our savior, God joins us together with Him. It is a marriage of the spirit as opposed to a physical marriage. We now belong to Him, and He is determined not to let anyone snatch us away.                   2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

A Marriage Of The Mind

When you love your spouse or significant other, you desire the very best for them. A couple in love will move mountains for each other. After some together you get to know the way the other thinks. When we spend time studying God’s word, we begin to know His commandments and His thoughts. He knows ours intimately. When we are joined together with Him, we want what He wants for our lives. We want what He wants for the world. The union becomes a marriage of our minds. Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

A Marriage Of The Heart

What we are called to have is a marriage of the heart. As He loves us – so we should love Him. As He lives and sent His son to die for us, so we should live for Him. In that way, we will be ready for Him when He comes again. And, Nothing, Nobody will be able to separate us from His love.   Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

40-Day Challenge Reading

John 17

Romans 8: 38 & 39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present of the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.