West Main

MARRIAGE IS NOT A PRIVATE AFFAIR

Last Saturday as parents, Corinne and I had one of life’s proudest moments: Our daughter Kayla got married. I find this surprising as I am still myself only eighteen years old (at least in my mind’s eye!). Somehow my first born child has caught up to me in age! I know it is a cliché to say, “My goodness time has flown by,” but, “My goodness time has flown by!” As I watched Kayla have her first dance with her husband, Caleb Walker, memories of my little daughter flooded my mind. My little girl is now a young woman embarking on the journey of marriage. As Genesis says, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). A new relationship was born and our daughter now carries the additional title, “wife.”

As I reflect on the past week of marriage festivities, I realize the blessing of belonging to the Church, the Body of Christ. The blessing of sharing my daughter’s marriage with the fellowship of God’s people stands in stark contrast to the present ongoing societal debate surrounding marriage. In our present society marriage is either virtually discounted or generally regarded as merely a private affair between two people.

Gathered together with friends and family this past Saturday in the name of Jesus to celebrate the union of Kayla and Caleb made me realize even more how much marriage is an affair of all God’s children. There are no private marriages. The design, purpose and intent of marriage is most clearly expressed in the words of the Apostle Paul in the letter to the Ephesians. Paul reveals to us that a husband must love his wife as Christ loves the Church and a wife must love her husband as the Church loves Christ (Ephesians 5). The making of two into one is as Paul says, “…a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32). In other words, marriage is an experience that most fully functions as a symbol pointing to a purpose larger than the love between a man and a woman. Marriage points to the love of Christ for the world. Marriage is the evangelistic symbol for a lost and dying world.

Jesus testifies, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Obviously, the love expressed in marriage is not the only expression of God’s love. Single disciples of Christ are symbols of God’s love as well. In fact, Paul says that single disciples in many respects can express Christ’s love with more freedom than marrieds that have to contend with every day cares of survival (1 Corinthians 7:32-34).

At the same time, however, marriage does represent in a unique and powerful way the love of Christ for all people. Because marriage represents Christ’s love for the Church and the Church’s love for Christ, the marriage relationship lasts “till death do you part.” Christ never gives up on his Bride, The Church (Revelation 21:2-3). Jesus “is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18). Christ as head is never and cannot be separated from his own body, the Church. For this reason, Christians who divorce must “remain unmarried or else be reconciled” (1 Corinthians 7:11). The body of Christ must not be removed from the head or the head from the body.

What couple is capable for such a task and calling as to represent the Body of Christ? NONE! Only by the grace of God and the support of the local Church of Christ can a couple dare to dream to represent the love of Christ. As Kayla and Caleb stood before their brothers and sisters in Christ and exchanged wedding vows, I realized the blessing of God’s people embraced them. The West Main Church of Christ blessed their decision to represent the love of Christ for his church and the church’s love for Christ. As a mother and father, Corinne and I could not be more thankful and proud to belong to such a congregation.

– Terry

Ladies Bible Study  --  Please come join us this Sunday evening, July 27, at 6:00 p.m. as we begin a new study for women, Soul Keeping - Caring For the Most Important Part of You. This will be a six week study. All Ladies are invited to attend and we will meet in the East Room.

Nursery Help is Still Needed during our Sunday Morning worship time.  Contact Diane Liles if you are willing to care for our little ones.  You don't have to sign up for a whole month at a time.  Whatever works into your schedule will be a great help.  Thanks! 

Coffee Servers  -- are needed for August - December. If you can help, please sign up on the list posted by the stairs. All help is greatly appreciated!