A Match Made in Heaven: God’s Thoughts on True Love
Les Heinze, Lead Pastor, Red Rocks Baptist Church
As a pastor, I regularly enjoy the best view at Christian weddings, standing about three feet from the joyous couple. Their skin glows from the flickering candles behind me. I see the moist eyes, the trembling hands, the telltale winks, and the earnestness of soul. I hear the words that their parents said before them: “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health…”
As I listen to those all-important words, I sometimes wonder how the couple will fare as the years go by. Will she reverence her husband? Will he love his beautiful bride as Christ loved the Church?
In Ephesians 5:25-33 Paul fixes our attention on the mysterious union between husband and wife and reminds us that it is symbolic of the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Church. God intends for Christian marriages to picture this Union as husband and wife follow His prescribed design for marital bliss. Couples who do this can truly enjoy a match made in Heaven.
Sacrificial Love
The Bible makes it clear that sacrificial love is critical to make a marriage work. Ephesians 5:25 states that husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving himself for it. Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for his bride: He suffered and died for her.
In a very real sense, marriage is like death. It requires all of us. Husbands and wives who choose to live for themselves quickly find their marriages deteriorating. Those who choose to put the welfare of their spouse first discover that their marriage flourishes and blossoms into an ever-more-beautiful picture of Christ and the Church.
Sanctifying Love
A Christian marriage has a greater purpose than mere happiness here on earth. God intends for marriage to have a sanctifying affect on the life of a Christian. Husbands must be men of the Bible. They must demonstrate authentic spirituality which motivates their wives toward a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. In the same way, wives should uplift their husbands, intentionally showing respect, praying for them, and encouraging them to walk with God.
Satisfying Love
A truly satisfying love only becomes reality when the “one flesh” union discussed in Ephesians 5:31 is lived out. A godly husband understands that true unity goes deeper than physical pleasure. It is an inseparable bond of body and soul. As the husband demonstrates love for his wife, taking the time to converse and care for her, he experiences a far deeper joy than what selfish pursuits would afford.
The God of the Bible is very alive today, and His Word is relevant for every generation. In a world that believes that true love is just a fairy tale, the Lord makes it clear that “a match made in Heaven” can still be a reality. For those who chose to pattern their marriages after the example of Jesus Christ, true love is only the beginning of an exciting and beautiful journey.
