YOU ARE MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.
That is such a mind blowing thought; being made in the image of God. Although God has many attributes that we could never have, we are still made in his “likeness”. The past few days, I have really been reflecting about what that means in terms of being a woman and a wife. I know I have a very, very long way to go, but I think that striving to become more like Christ every day is essential and will help our marriages by leaps and bounds.
Immeasurable Grace
Essentially grace is God’s unmerited favor poured out over us. It is God showing us love when we have done nothing to deserve it. You can’t earn grace; it isn’t contingent on things that you can do or your talents. Thus, grace towards our husbands shouldn’t be contingent on the things they do or don’t do. I know I have made mistakes, been easily angered, not been the best person at times – yet, God has covered me with his Grace and forgiveness. I think this is crazy to think about as a wife; extending grace wether they deserve it or not. That is hard one to put into practice I think, but extremely valuable in terms of how we treat each other.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. – 1 Corinthians 8:9
Unconditional Love
I think this really correlates from grace in that if you unconditionally love your spouse, it will be easier to extend grace because you are not basing your love on “works”. In Romans, it says concerning Israel, that “All day long I hold out my hand to a disobedient and contrary people“. This verse has always blown my mind. All day long God holds out his hand to us and we constantly disobey him, spit in his face. Would we love our husbands if they did this to us? Honestly, probably not; I’m not sure my heart is that big – i wish it was. I want to strive to have a love like that – but I don’t know if we can fully understand that type of love. What a goal to strive for, unconditional love.
All day long I hold out my hand to a disobedient and contrary people. – Romans 10:21
Forgiveness
Since we have talked about grace and unconditional love, the next thing my mind went to was forgiveness because forgiveness comes through grace. Forgiveness is our decision to exercise grace and one of the hardest things to do. And, I think even harder in a marriage because your spouse has all your emotions. They are the person you love most, so when they hurt you, it tends to hurt more. But, even thought it isn’t easy, we must forgive one another as Christ forgave us.
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. – Colossians 3:13
Faithfulness
God is completely faithful to Himself through his nature and to His Word through each promise and covenant. As we should be faithful to our spouse. Faithful in our words and actions. Always building each other up in the way we speak to and about each other.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. – Lamentations 3:22-23
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. – Psalm 103:8