“Jesus Christ is our Lover, who longs for an abiding love relationship with us.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 28, 2024
Your “husband,” your master, used to be the Jewish law; but you “died,” as it were, with Christ on the cross; and since you are “dead,” you are no longer “married to the law,” and it has no more control over you. Then you came back to life again when Christ did and are a new person. And now you are “married,” so to speak, to the one who rose from the dead, so that you can produce good fruit, that is, good deeds for God. Romans 7:4, TLB
The Apostle Paul compares our condition before knowing Christ to a relationship of earning our salvation through the “law,” which are religious expectations dependent on our efforts to achieve. Before faith in Jesus, we were married to the law, and after faith in Jesus, we were brought back to life in Christ and married to Christ to produce good fruit or good deeds. Tim Keller, the beloved pastor, describes our union with Jesus Christ as a marriage made in heaven:
When we believe in Christ, we become married to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit to God (Romans 7:4). This is a daring image. As a wife puts herself into the arms of her husband, and children are born into the world through her body, so we put ourselves into the arms of Jesus, and then we also bear fruit—of our own changed loves (Galatians 5:22-23) or, of good works that change the lives of others (Colossians 1:6, 10). We currently know our Spouse [Jesus] only by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). The love we experience here can only ever be partial. But when we actually see Him face to face, the transformation of his love and the fulfillment of our being will be complete (1 John 3:2-3).
Jesus Christ is our Lover, who longs for an abiding love relationship with us. And like Mary, who shows Him lavish love with her tearful worship (Luke 7:36-50), we are invited by our bridegroom into these moments of sweet gratitude as we grow closer in the bonds of love. Like a husband and wife who long to be in the presence of the other, sometimes with few words but always with an abounding love of wordless wonder. Marriage to Jesus is a sheer joy as we revel in the joy of His presence. Not in a hurry. Just together forever. A union of love to be completed in heaven. So, we remain faithful as He is faithful, and we grow deeper and deeper in love!
You intuit your Lover’s heart the closer your intimate bond with Jesus Christ. As Paul teaches, heart-to-heart in love is beyond knowledge (Ephesians 3:19); the mind has limited understanding into a oneness of knowing and growing like your Lover. But the Holy Spirit, through love’s discernment, moves you into places of your Lover’s heart inaccessible to just mental assent. And now that you are spiritually married to Jesus, you are blessed to have spiritual children (fruit).
How are your spiritual offspring? Are the fruit of the Spirit, generous good deeds, and faithful followers of Jesus Christ all a part of your spiritual family? When you have a genuine love relationship with Jesus, everything changes. The fruits of the Spirit are the natural byproduct of staying connected to Christ in love. Similarly, generous good deeds stem from this love relationship. When you experience Christ’s love, it compels you to serve others generously, not out of obligation, but out of a heart transformed by His grace. The more you grow in your love for Him, the more you reflect His heart through your actions. Faithful Jesus’ followers also arise from this intimacy. As you deepen your relationship with Christ, your faithfulness strengthens, and you inspire others to walk closely with Him, continuing the cycle of deep, abiding love. Grow in oneness with your groom, and one day, on that day, you will be complete in Christ. Spiritual barrenness is not known to the beloved who knows and loves his/her groom—God.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for calling me Your beloved bride. Help me grow in deeper oneness with You, rooted in love. Teach me to reflect Your love in my heart and life, drawing closer to You each day. May our union be marked by intimacy, faithfulness, and abiding love. Amen.
Application
How can you love your groom—God more meaningfully?
Related Reading
Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-9
Worship Resource
Elevation Worship & Mavrick City: Jireh
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