Don’t get me wrong. I am not advocating self-marriage; whatever that is. My question is simply this, “What if you were the spouse, …… of you?” Just for a few moments I’d like for us to consider life from our spouse’s (spouse-to-be) perspective. What if you were married to you? That may take a few minutes of applied brain power. Willing? Let’s go!
Currently, single or married, would you like to be married to a person whose priorities and habits are just like yours? If you were married to you – to a person who has your personality and relationship skills, would you be happily married to a spouse who spends the same amount of time at work, works as hard, takes time for others, has the same moral compass, handles money, focuses on time at home and on your marriage…as you do? What if your spouse argued just like you, what if your spouse or “spouse to be” had your exact personality, communication skills, and level of maturity?
Honestly, rather than be married to someone just like you and me, would each of us want to be married to someone with the character of Jesus Christ? For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, that is the idea of life. We are being transformed and conformed to the image of Jesus Christ – not to look like Him necessarily, but to live and love as He does. (Romans 8:29)
In Matthew 7:12 Jesus gave us the Golden Rule: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” What is He saying in essence? Rather than treat people any way we see fit, find out what pleases God and love people that way….the same way we want to be treated – prioritized, known, blessed, accepted, loved, appreciated, approved, comforted, encouraged, respected, supported, and welcomed into a safe, peace-filled relationship. How awesome would that be? VERY!
Wait a minute, who can possibly be that kind of person….the person with the Christ-like character we’d like to have and for our spouse (spouse to be) to possess; a person who loves, as Jesus does, even when not loved perfectly in return? Answer: You! Other answer: Me! Another Answer: Anyone who wants the Holy Spirit to control him/her. Holy Spirit lives within us as Christ-followers. He is a gift to guide us into all truth. He produces the life we desire.
So how do we pull that off exactly? What is a very important truth that Holy Spirit is leading us to experience? Here’s one for you! Read I John 5:14-15 and note that when we ask anything according to God’s will He hears us. That’s a promise. Now another promise, “and if He hears us, we are confident that we will have whatever we ask.” Is it God’s will for us to love Him and others and even our own self properly? Answer: Yes, just see Matthew 22:37-39 and discover it IS God’s will. So, let’s pray it. Ask this most important thing that is God’s highest priority, and then have confidence that He will do that in your life.
Willing to ask? Your spouse or spouse-to-be will certainly be blessed and appreciate your cooperating with God in being conformed to Christ. There is no better life to live or higher priority.