Tag Archives: newlyweds

Now the Hard Work Begins

Posted on August 19, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a young student, nothing came easy for me. Assignments that took my classmates a few minutes to complete, took me 15 minutes or more. Perhaps, this deficiency forced me to learn to grind things out at an early age. While I never became a great student, discipline and hard work propelled me to become who I am today. As newlyweds return from their honeymoon, now the hard work to become one flesh begins.

Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. 24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, Ephesians 5:22-26.

Since many first century Christians were illiterate, pastors of churches would read the apostle Paul’s letters out loud to their congregation. Based upon the words of today’s featured passage, God has high expectations for married couples. Learning to love your spouse as Christ loved the church doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, this spiritual transformation takes a lifetime of studying the Bible, prayer, and practice.

That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. 28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, 30 Because we are members (parts) of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, Ephesians 5:27-31.

The hardest part of any marriage is ridding your life of all of the bad habits that you’ve picked up from your parents, friends, and acquaintances. These flaws will cause you to do something or say something at the wrong time, hurting your spouse. This is what I mean by the title, “now the hard work begins.” Therefore, if you’re newly engaged or married, commit yourself to the words of Colossians 3:5-17 so that the Holy Spirit will slowly transform your life and marriage.

by Jay Mankus

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When Two Become One Flesh

Posted on August 17, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I try to imagine two people becoming one flesh, the best analogy I can come up with is a three-legged race. The last time I participated in one of these was at a church picnic. Two individuals have their middle legs tied together, forced to work as a team. The most successful couples get into a rhythm, communicating as one flesh to outpace all of their opponents.

Then Adam said, This [creature] is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of a man. 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not embarrassed or ashamed in each other’s presence, Genesis 2:23-25.

Moses explains the origin of marriage in the passage above. Since God created Eve out of pieces from man’s body, Adam is blown away by what has just taken place. While modern day couples may hold hands in public, when newlyweds have intercourse, they become one flesh. Unfortunately, many couples focus on the sexual aspect of marriage rather than communication.

Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power. 13 Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [[a]to save, sanctify, and raise it again]. 14 And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power. 15 Do you not see and know that your bodies are members (bodily parts) of Christ (the Messiah)? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make [them] parts of a prostitute? Never! Never! 16 Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh. 17 But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him, 1 Corinthians 6:12-17.

The apostle Paul interjects how free will influences relationships in the above passage. The key phrase is Paul’s first century later comes in the form, “not every choice is beneficial.” When two people enter into the covenant of marriage, it takes time to transition from living for yourself to pleasing your soulmate. Sacrifices will have to be made by each person. If success is the process of arriving, when two individuals become one flesh, this journey takes a lifetime to grow closer as one.

by Jay Mankus

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Forever

Posted on July 9, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Every love story begins with the thought of together forever. As engaged couples eagerly prepare for their wedding day, forever is a hope like marriage vows of “to death do us part.” FM Static sings about this special day in their song Moment of Truth. According to a 2021 study, 2.7 marriages out of 1,000 end in divorce so forever is not guaranteed.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife, and they shall become one flesh, Genesis 2:24.

Biblical marriage is designed around two key issues. First, the covenant of marriage was meant to be for a lifetime as two individuals become one flesh. Meanwhile, biblical marriage calls new couples to propagate the earth by having children. While some may not be able to complete this call due to health and medical conditions, the intent for newlyweds is to be together forever.

Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things. And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous, Hebrews 13:4.

The author of Hebrews calls couples to keep their marriage pure and free from temptation. To promote this position a disclaimer is used at the end of the passage above. Anyone who fails to keep their vows in the presence of family and friends will be judged and punished by God. In view of this warning, may the Holy Spirit fill you with a will to stick to your spouse forever.

by Jay Mankus

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What Kind of Sign are You Holding Up?

Posted on June 2, 2020 by expressyourself4him

A newly married couple once came across a dense fog. As other vehicles slowed to a crawl, the husband attempted to make a pass on a two lane highway. While passing the final car, creating this traffic jam, their car is clipped by a truck heading in the opposite direction. The newlyweds flip end over end, traveling several hundred feet before coming to rest in the parking lot of a local business. Since the fog was so thick, other vehicles continue to pass by, unable to see their totaled vehicle.

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, Matthew 5:13-14.

After being knocked out for a few minutes, the man comes to, seeing his wife lying in a pool of bed. Compelled to act quickly before the woman he loves bleeds to death, this man frees himself from the wreck searching for help. To his surprise, this couple landed in a doctor’s parking lot, kicking on the door with his foot fervently with his still wife’s body in his hands. As an elderly man opens the door, the doctor replies, “I’m sorry I stopped practicing years ago.”

Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven, Matthew 5:15-16.

If you are observant, every day you will cross paths with someone in need of help. A co-worker going through a series of trials, a neighbor coping with a death of a relative or friend looking for a source of hope. According to a recent study, 240 million Americans claim to Christians. However, many of these believers have stopped practicing what they believe. Instead, few portray signs of spiritual life like the salt of the earth or light of the world. When the wounded come to your door steps, what kind of sign are you holding up? May this story that I recently heard motivate you to put your faith into action.

by Jay Mankus

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