I don’t think it is a coincidence that the relationship of Jesus and the church is likened to a marriage. Marriage is a sacred union and one that God has prescribed clearly in scripture. What is interesting is that the churches of the early church suffered with the same struggles we do today. Jesus tells Pergamum and Thyatira that they have neglected congregational discipline, something that is lacking in many modern churches. As a result, marriage is not treated as a sacred union by the general population, but rather a union of convenience, one that can be abandoned as easily as a child abandons a toy that is no longer of interest.

As I thought about that, it brought chills to me thinking: What if Jesus treated His bride like so many do today? What if His love for us was dependent on how much we loved Him? What if He could walk away from us if He grew tired of our sinful ways?

I praise God that Jesus is committed to His bride. I know that marriage requires the commitment of both parties. However, I pray that men in this culture would become committed to their marriages in the same way that Jesus is to the church. I pray that even though marriage is not perfect, even in the best of marriages, men would treat that union in the same way that Jesus treats the church. He will not turn away, He will not abandon, even as we continue to sin and repent our way through sanctification. I wonder how much the divorce rate would go down, if only the men of this world would have that level of commitment.

For those of us that are married, may we pray for each other that our marriages would be a reflection of God’s perfect plan. And for those that aren’t married, may they pray that if God plans for you to remain single that He will use your singleness for the Kingdom. And if He calls you into marriage that He would begin preparing a Christian mate for you even today.  Too many people go into marriage with expectations of change in the other party.  Make sure that your future mate is one that will be like Jesus treats his bride.