Step 7: Say YES to Jesus’ Perspective on Marriage and Singleness

Say YES to Jesus’ Perspective on Marriage and Singleness 

Scripture

““It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.5.31-32.NIV


Brief Observation

Commitment is hard. And the life-long covenant of marriage may be the most difficult commitment to keep. It requires love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (all of which are provided by the Spirit to those who say “Yes” to Jesus…Galatians 5:22). And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenged his disciples to not give up on marriage as people in their culture were. 


Later, in Matthew 19:4-9, Jesus explained that God set up marriage as a life-long spiritual and physical bond between man and woman and added this comment: “what God has joined together, let no one separate.” In that same teaching Jesus also revealed that some are called to singleness, showing that neither marriage or singleness is better than the other (thus taking away the lie that it is better to be married). Truth is, a life-long commitment to singleness requires the same fruit of the Spirit listed above. And marriage and singleness at their best are reflections of God’s glory. Marriage mirrors the affection and intimacy shared between God and His people. A devoted life of singleness points to the way Jesus lived “in the intimacy of community, surrounded by friends, welcoming and being welcomed to tables, and expressing faithful witness.”*


As we daily say “Yes” to Jesus, He requires us to submit to His vision for relationships. An unhealthy marriage or an unsatisfied singleness directly impacts how a person lives out their calling. If God leads you to marriage, ask Him for grace to be the kind of partner who embodies the fruit of the Spirit and ask for a partner who is passionately pursuing Christ and His call on their lives. If God leads you to say “Yes” to singleness, ask for “the secret to contentment in all circumstances” (Philippians 4:11-13). Either way, do not live below your calling by compromising in this area but take heart that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you to empower you to live out whatever God’s will is for you in this area.


Prayer

God, I thank You for your genius plan for humanity. Jesus, thank You for affirming the sacredness of marriage and living out the sacredness of singleness. Spirit, help me understand the significance of the marriage covenant and guide me and empower me to live out the Father’s will for my life in this area.


Daily scripture 

Monday: Matthew 5:31-32

Tuesday: Genesis 1:26-28, 2:18-25

Wednesday: Matthew 19:1-12

Thursday: Ephesians 5:21-33

Friday: Hebrews 13:4-8


*The Church of the Nazarene’s statement on Human Sexuality is a great intro. I quote a portion above.

—NT Wright’s answers the question: “What is marriage for?”

—Bridgetown Church’s God and Sexuality series is a deep dive.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Step 1: Say YES to Jesus’ Kingdom

Welcome to the YES encouragement blog where we’ll explore what it means to say YES to Jesus in every aspect of life. This is an extension of the Mid-Atlantic Nazarene Youth Equipped to Serve Retreat. Let’s start at the very beginning… Say YES to Jesus’ Kingdom “From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-20 ‭‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.4.17-20.NIV   Brief Observation At the start of a new year, there’s no better place than to look at the start of Jesus’ ministry and the start of the new life of a disciple. Repentance is embracing the newness that is available in Jesus! To repent is to turn to Jesus as King and turn away from the kingdom of this world. It is to say “No” to what “wars against your soul” (1 Peter) and to say “Yes” to the One who won the war for your soul.  When Peter an
Read more

Step 5: Say YES to Jesus' Perspective on Anger and Insults

Week 5: Say Yes To Jesus’ Perspective on Anger and Insults Hey YES Peeps! If you haven’t noticed, the weekly encouragement is coming from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. And I found out that The Bible Project is doing a year long study of the Sermon on the Mount and so far it’s awesome! Check it out and follow along . Here’s this week’s YES encouragement… Scripture “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment…And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. … First go and be reconciled to them;  …Settle matters quickly with your adversary Matthew 5:21-26: www.bible.com/bible/111/MAT.5.21-26.NIV   Brief Observation You have not ever and never ever will meet a person who is disposable. Every person that you live with, study with, worship with, work with or work for is someone wo
Read more