Scripture to Read: Romans 7:3
Today, we further examine why God used the covenant of marriage and the death of a spouse to help us know what we’ve been set free from through death. God continues in Romans 7:3, So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man. As God led Paul to write, the issue of the marriage bed comes up. God makes His point clear in Hebrews 13:4, Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Marriage is a covenant between one man and woman for life. Therefore, neither spouse can give themselves to another person until their first spouse dies. Marriage is also the picture of Christ and His church united as one. Christ is the Bridegroom, and His church is His bride. God lays out the beautiful example of Christ and His church being ONE in Ephesians 5:21–33. Ephesians 5 shows how God led Paul to use Christ and His church as THE example of a healthy marriage. Christ gave Himself for His church so we, as His church, would be clean, complete, sanctified, holy, and blameless. Since we have been united with Christ, we are no longer to be led by our fleshly desires. Our passion must be for our Bridegroom. We’ll see even better tomorrow as we examine Romans 7:4.
Challenge & Application
Why is it important to understand the covenant between a husband and wife?
How has God used Christ and His church to paint a picture of what a healthy marriage ought to be?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!