Chosen & Loved

I am taking a wedding today.

We shall hear the couple telling one another (and the rest of us, and in the sight of God) that they have deliberately chosen one another. 

We will also hear them say in practical and realistic terms how their love for one another will be lived out, 'for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer', and so on.

In a world where many see marriage as one of many alternative and entirely equivalent lifestyle choices, the Marriage Service affirms with conviction that 'marriage is a gift of God in creation', and that it is designed by God to be a lifelong and life-giving relationship between one man and one woman.

St. Paul describes the relationship between husband and wife within marriage as modelled on the relationship between Jesus and his followers. 'Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.' (Ephesians 5.21, 22, 25, 26)

In a similar letter, Paul describes God's attitude to those who are following Christ. 'Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.'  (Colossians 3.12)

Such qualities are needed in all relationships, but they grow from hearts and lives that are secure in the knowledge that we are people whom God chose and loves to be in relationship with him.

We can encourage one another to live like this, as we remind one another that we are chosen and loved by the God who made the universe. How astonishing that is!

Best wishes,

Richard