In John 17:3, Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God the Father and God the Son. It can be easy to overlook these words, but to consider them thoroughly makes it clear that Jesus is speaking about the deepest desire of mankind. He is speaking about the purpose of every human being – relationship; and more than that, relationship with our Creator.
People get married for various reasons, but I think that fundamental to this desire for sacred union is the chance to truly know a fellow human being, and be truly known by a fellow human being. We want to really mean something to somebody, and we want somebody to really mean something to us in a completely unique, intimate way.
When we think of inspirational marriages through history and even inspirational marriages here and now, we don't think of them as being based on a good sex life, or being based on material benefits for the husband and wife. That's not to say that such things are utterly unimportant, but they're not the main thing. The main thing we -- or at least I -- get inspired by/insanely jealous of is the way the couple know each other so deeply and thoroughly. I want that, and I think it's fair to say so do most people.
Such desires do not stem from nowhere. God -- the origin of relationships -- made us for relationship with Him, and the tragedy of sin is that it has not only cut us off from this relationship, but it has also suppressed our desire for it (Rom. 1:18-23). In our fallen state we are incapable and unwilling to regain it, and so we desperately need someone to intervene; someone to atone for our sins and reconcile us to the Father. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is this someone.
Therefore a Christian does not benefit just from having a wise teacher or a person to cast their every-day problems onto. Such things are certainly not unique to Christianity, nor do they cut to the heart of the matter. The impact Christ makes in a believer’s life is far grander than these matters. Jesus made a way – the only way – for us to have fellowship with the Father and fellowship with Himself. Coming to Christ and putting your trust in Him means that a long-lost relationship with God can be restored. Christ’s perfect life and shed blood made this possible, and when we have faith in Him who is the truth, we share in His life, which is life eternal – a life of truly knowing God and being truly known by God.
People get married for various reasons, but I think that fundamental to this desire for sacred union is the chance to truly know a fellow human being, and be truly known by a fellow human being. We want to really mean something to somebody, and we want somebody to really mean something to us in a completely unique, intimate way.
When we think of inspirational marriages through history and even inspirational marriages here and now, we don't think of them as being based on a good sex life, or being based on material benefits for the husband and wife. That's not to say that such things are utterly unimportant, but they're not the main thing. The main thing we -- or at least I -- get inspired by/insanely jealous of is the way the couple know each other so deeply and thoroughly. I want that, and I think it's fair to say so do most people.
Such desires do not stem from nowhere. God -- the origin of relationships -- made us for relationship with Him, and the tragedy of sin is that it has not only cut us off from this relationship, but it has also suppressed our desire for it (Rom. 1:18-23). In our fallen state we are incapable and unwilling to regain it, and so we desperately need someone to intervene; someone to atone for our sins and reconcile us to the Father. John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is this someone.
Therefore a Christian does not benefit just from having a wise teacher or a person to cast their every-day problems onto. Such things are certainly not unique to Christianity, nor do they cut to the heart of the matter. The impact Christ makes in a believer’s life is far grander than these matters. Jesus made a way – the only way – for us to have fellowship with the Father and fellowship with Himself. Coming to Christ and putting your trust in Him means that a long-lost relationship with God can be restored. Christ’s perfect life and shed blood made this possible, and when we have faith in Him who is the truth, we share in His life, which is life eternal – a life of truly knowing God and being truly known by God.
Great post for a single man. When the chicks read that you've got yourself a date. "My name is Declan, and I'm witty and God-fearingly romantic." :)
ReplyDeleteHow have you seen my personal ad? And I though my profile on desperatechristiansingles.com was on private. Damn that website.
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