A Grace-Full Marriage - Introduction

Friday, June 1, 2012

A Grace-Full Marriage - Introduction

1:19 PM | Posted by Scott | Edit Post

Today I’m kicking off a new series on grace in marriage.

I’m taking this deep dive into grace for several reasons. First of all, though grace is simple in concept, the implications of grace for marriage are enormous. Second, even though I’ve touched on this topic in previous posts, I have never given grace the attention it deserves. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, grace is just as critical as love is to strengthening and sustaining your marriage. Grace and love are like the bookends that keep your marriage together.

What is Grace?

Grace is simply unmerited favor, mercy and kindness. Grace is at the core of the Gospel.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:1-2

We know that God’s unbounded grace comes to us through faith in Jesus, and we know that He is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Grace is our way to forgiveness for all the wrongs we have done or that we will ever do against God, and thus our way to eternal life. Grace also brings us God’s favor and blessing, even when we don’t deserve it.

An Invitation to Intimacy

As true as all this is, I believe that grace actually has its deepest roots in intimacy.

God didn’t crush his Son simply to gain our forgiveness and eternal life or just to bless us. He did it because he desires intimacy with us, both now and for all eternity. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross gives us unprecedented face-to-face access to the Father.

Grace is God’s invitation to intimacy with him, because most of all, God is a zealous lover. He desires to have all of you and all of me for himself, for all time.

As we reflect on grace and marriage in this series, keep in mind that a grace-full marriage is really about a path to deeper intimacy between you and your husband or wife.

Next up: Grace and the Big "But"

Labels: Grace, Love, Spiritual Life

6 comments:

Cherl said...: Wow, how timely this series will be for me. I just said to my husband last night I need a better understanding of grace and how it works between the two of us. Sometimes I let the little things get me in a sour mood and I struggle to brush it off and not let it get to me. I know I need to work on my "grace" in this area but when talking to my husband about it he said I shouldn't just brush those things aside because the little things can build up and cause bigger problems. So should I fuss and tell him the little things or work on grace??? Can't wait to read the rest of your posts to get some answers! Thanks; June 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM
Jaime said...: Cheryl, I think so many of us struggle with that same thought! When I see something putting me in a bad mood, I consider first whether I have realistic or unrealistic expectations. If my expectations are realistic, then I need to talk with my husband, but always with grace to encourage. It's not about failure (or my annoyance) but about both of us growing in Christ. But if my expectation is unrealistic, I need to deal with that. The most powerful thing I've heard about our expectations is that they are often just premeditated resentment. I also try to think of 5 things that I admire about my husband every day. It helps me to realize that those little things really are little things, and I have so much more to be thankful for.; June 2, 2012 at 8:37 AM
Scott said...: Cheri - I'm glad the topic spoke to you. I hope that the series will help answer your questions about how grace works in marriage.

Jaime - you are so right. Expectations are dangerous things! Way to go for focusing on what you admire about your husband.; June 2, 2012 at 11:50 AM
Unknown said...: to know grace is to truly DESIRE to forgive because you know and understand in your own heart the FORGIVENESS given you, then something wonderful happens,you become alive,blossoming in CHRIST kind of Love; December 2, 2012 at 2:52 AM
Fatsapostle said...: Amen Mr.Bobcat. I don't think our Lord could have said it any better.....oh... maybe it was him speaking through you. :); December 2, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Unknown said...: bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul,praise His Holy Name; December 4, 2012 at 6:23 PM