“It is for freedom Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then…” Gal. 5:1

I know soldiers willing to put their lives on the line for their comrades on the battlefield because of a commitment to a code of honor, but who, upon returning home, will violate their marriage vows and abandon their families because they aren’t prepared to face the battles of marriage. Is the military code of honor more significant than the sacred marriage vow? Absolutely not, but part of the problem may have to do with a lack of training and instruction couples receive. If marriage is as important as we claim it is, why do we give less attention to preparing couples for this sacred union than we do training a military recruit in boot camp?

We live in a day when freedom is equated with choice. But freedom is not about the choice to walk away from a relationship because it’s hard or painful (except in cases of violent, physically abusive spouses). Freedom is choosing to stand firm because our perspective is shaped by the One who is Sovereign over all.

Is the woman who leaves her husband, goes out and buys a license plate for her car that says “IM FREE”, really free? A greater freedom, and resultant blessing, awaits the person who chooses to honor a sacred vow made “for better or worse”. The next generations of husbands and wives need to know what it means to be free to honor our vows and to love and respect someone when neither is deserved. Is this not how the Father loves us?

FANNING THE FLAME

Now is the time to begin the training of our children and grandchildren, according to God’s Word, in the lessons of life that will equip them to freely love and persevere in their marriages. The example of our own lives will set the stage for that training, so let freedom ring in our homes and marriages today as we stand firm in our sacred vows!

Consider talking to your church leaders about organizing an “inter-generational retreat” for parents, grandparents and grandchildren to focus God’s purpose for marriage and some of the false ideas we sometimes have about marriage and vows?

GRANDPAUSE: “The only thing more painful than obedience is disobedience.” — Unknown