Priority in Marriage by David Jeremiah

Wednesday, May 18 Priority in Marriage Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Philippians 3:12 Recommended Reading Luke 14:25-27 Picture an equilateral triangle with three sides of equal length. At the very top is Christ; at one of the base angles is “husband” and at the other is “wife.” A remarkable thing happens when the husband and wife begin moving toward Christ at the top of the triangle: The distance between them gets shorter and shorter. As soon as both spouses reach Christ at the top of the triangle the distance between them has disappeared. Geometry helps illustrate something the Bible communicates in words: The entire Christian life, marriage included, is centered on following Christ. As important as marriage is, it is simply one dimension of the Christian experience. Whether single or married, Christian’s have one ultimate priority—the same priority Paul described for his own life: counting all things as loss except for pursuing a deeper knowledge of Christ (Philippians 3:7-14). So in marriage, being the best spouse is not the priority. Being “the best” follower of Jesus is. When it comes to marriage, asking “What would Christ have me do?” is always first. A Single Thought: You can get second things only by putting first things first. C. S. Lewis Read-Thru-the-Bible Ezra 1 – 4