Assurance (#200 of 365+)

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance,
godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love… Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall” (2 Peter 1:5-7, 10)

I’m so glad my husband and I chose to elope in Las Vegas. We avoided all the typical financial and emotional stresses that come with planning a wedding. When we first talked about having a small wedding we slowly began to realize that hurt feelings would abound as people were left out of key roles or not invited to the ceremony at all. We still think eloping was the best kind of launch our marriage could have had. It was beautiful, romantic, and intimate—just a bride and a groom, the Spirit-filled preacher, and God. Oh, and the little camera guy at the back of the room.

Any couple that has been happily married for decades will tell you that a good marriage takes hard work. Notice I said “a good marriage” and not a good wedding. The same truth applies to having a powerful daily walk with God. Just like a marriage is more than taking a vow in front of the preacher, a relationship with the Lord is much more than just believing the gospel, saying a prayer, or getting baptized. Justification is only the beginning. The process of sanctification continues for life. Every circumstance and each new day with the Lord has the potential of being better and more fulfilling than the one before.

Would any couple simply sign documents in front of a Justice of the Peace and some witnesses and then go their separate ways? If so, maybe they’re only interested in the legal benefits of marriage. If their hearts and minds truly wanted the union they would embrace every God-given joy married life can offer. This is also true for a believer’s relationship to Christ because the Church is his “Bride” (Revelation 19:7). Let’s not hold back when it comes to loving the Lord. If we really wanted this relationship with him let’s not neglect him and let’s not continue to do what we used to do as if it doesn’t make any difference. There's a real Person on the other side of this. Do we really love him, or did we do all that back then just for show?

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19, 21)

Lord, I will forever thank you for your steadfast love. Ignite my passion, my inner devotion to you, until everyone can see the light of your life in me. Amen.