Session 15

Don’t tie the knot until

From 1 Corinthians: A 35-Day Devotional

When we’re single, we think marriage will fix our problems. But could it just be the idea of marriage we love? Dreaming together is easy. The idea of creating a new life sounds exciting. But in reality, “till death do us part” is tough!

In 1 Corinthians 7:28, the apostle Paul encourages church members to stay single if they can because “those who marry will face many troubles in this life.” Marriage is good, but if you’re not called to it, singleness is better.

When two sinful, selfish people get together and try to get their needs met from each other, a marriage is headed for disaster. But when two sinful, selfish people get together and put Jesus at the center of their marriage, it can become their greatest ministry.

Marriage is more than sex without sinning, paying bills, running errands, and playing house. Marriage is a responsibility where each spouse seeks to serve the other.

 If we’re seeing marriage as a way to get something for ourselves, we're not ready for the sacrifice marriage requires.

Jesus submitted Himself willingly and sacrificed His life out of love for us. The relationship between husbands and wives was designed to resemble mutual sacrifice and submission between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:22-33).

There’s nothing wrong with getting married. Marriage is a gift from God (Proverbs 18:22). But one of the best questions we can ask before tying the knot is this: “Is my goal to get something or to give something because Jesus gave for me?” If we’re seeing marriage as a way to get something for ourselves, we're not ready for the sacrifice marriage requires.

Reflect:

• What are some ways your marriage is helping you grow in your relationship with Jesus? How has it distracted you from Him?
• If you are married, what were the reasons you wanted to marry your spouse? How have your feelings about marriage changed over time?
• If you are single and thinking about marriage, what are your reasons? Are you able to give the very things you want to get from a spouse?