Wedding Month
by Pastor William C. Mack | June 21, 2021
June is known as the “wedding month” for many. I was blessed to marry my wife on June 23; 48 years ago! Wow! It seems like only yesterday……Right……Marriage is a blessing from God. Sometimes it doesn’t SEEM that way! Why? Because even Christian couples have a sinful nature; one they have to deal with every day. Arguments, disagreements, dashed hopes, and hurt feelings are found even in those homes which profess to be following Christ. Whereas, at last count, non-Christian marriages end in divorce 55% of the time, those who are church-going believers “only” divorce 45% of the time. Not a great “witness” to the world to be sure.
But on top of having a sinful nature, Christians have to deal with the world; unbelievers. Whereas, 200 years ago, that group was held “at bay” by the refusal of spouses to allow unChristian talk and ideas into the home. Today, however, horrible thoughts, evil words, and unspeakable deeds are not only invading the home, they are actually invited in! How? Through the T.V., D.V.D.s, computer and other types of media. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of good stuff found on all of those but the percentage of demonic garbage is growing…..every year. And Christian marriages are suffering more and more.
The devil, too, will constantly try to affect those who profess Jesus as their Savior. His best offensive weapon is convincing people that he is NOT real; that a disturbing mindset is psychologically “off” because of a chemical imbalance. That may be TRUE! But sometimes it is not. Demonic possession is real….and can enter believing households if not repelled.
Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” (Matthew 19: 6). Let the wife subject herself to her Christian husband, as Paul says, (Ephesians 5: 22-24) and let the husband sacrifice himself for her (Ephesians 5: 25- 31); as Christ did the Church. That mindset of sacrificial love constrains the heart to put the other person first and to keep spiritual ideals first in life (Matthew 6: 33). This is an “alien” mindset to most people today; worldwide.
But if I am going to make it to 49 years of marriage with the girl I’m presently married to, I know that to keep Christ as the center of our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives is the key. It has “worked” so far…..I guess I’ll give it another 48 years and reevaluate……
Pastor William C. Mack