‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…’ - Ephesians 5:25
In the past two months I’ve had the privilege of attending 4 weddings. Each one was precious and wonderful. Having been to so many weddings in a short period of time you begin to notice a pattern to them and some of the festivities become mundane. The food, the wedding small talk and even the same lines about how the wedding ring is a symbol of unending union!
However I found that there was a moment that never stopped being special and sacred. When the bride and the groom share their vows to one another, promising to live for the other in the presence of God, their family and friends. To willingly choose to love the other sacrificially for the rest of their life in marriage reminded me afresh each time, of the great love and promise of the gospel.
For God didn’t accidentally save humanity or half-heartedly love His creation. But just as a bride and groom willingly and lovingly pledge their union to one another, without coercion but with a deep love, Christ loves the church. Scripture reminds us that being part of the body of Christ is as deep as marriage is, except the love given to us isn’t flawed and human, but perfect and divine.
I hope you know this week, that Christ loves you. You are not forgotten; you are not unheard. You are seen by God and loved by Him. Be reminded that He died for you, willingly and sacrificially, so you would know His presence and grace.
Take a moment to reflect on that and be encouraged. For your life is forever united with His in Christ, through faith by grace.
May we celebrate that the God who loves us, is with us through His Holy Spirit.
“你們做丈夫的，要愛你們的妻子，正如基督愛教會，為教會捨己”以弗所書5章25節
在過去的兩個月裡，我有幸參加了四場婚禮。每個婚禮都有其寳貴及精彩之處。由於在這短暫期間參加了那麼多的婚禮，我開始發覺這些婚禮都有一個模式，當中的慶典亦變成千篇一律，有點平淡無奇。例如婚宴的食物，致詞，甚至連用結婚戒子來代表永結同心的台詞亦然。
然而，我發現有一個時刻，從未停止過使我感到特別及神聖，就是當新郎與新娘互相在神、他們的家人和朋友面前交換誓約，承諾為對方而活；願意選擇在婚姻的餘生中，能心甘情願，犧牲地去愛對方，每次都讓我想起福音的大愛和應許。
因為神並非意外地拯救世人，而是全心全意地去愛祂的造物。基督愛教會，正如新郎及新娘心甘情願地、充滿愛意地承諾他們的結合，沒有強迫。聖經提醒我們，身為主的肢體，這關係猶如婚姻一般深。惟一不同者是主的愛是完整無瘕，更是聖潔無比。
我希望這週你知道，基督愛你。你沒有被遺忘，你的呼求並無落空，你被神看見，被祂所愛。請勿忘祂為你而死，心甘情願地犧牲，藉此而使你知道祂的恩典並與你同在。
請用些許時間反思以上的提示，從而得鼓勵。因你的生命已經由信心藉救恩而與基督的生命永遠地聯合了。
讓我們來慶祝那愛我們的神，藉聖靈常與我們同在。
