For those of you who are married, you are in a covenant relationship that has seen growth, change and challenges over the years.
In the years of your marriage it is doubtful that there have been two days that were the same. Every day saw different amounts of communication, different levels of conversation, different activities and different expressions of love. There is no ritual to marriage. Some days you may have spent hours talking, while other days there may have been little or no talking depending on the circumstances. A day with little communication didn’t jeopardize your marriage covenant. There is rest and peace in that covenant.
I have been born again for 47 years. During that time I have grown, changed and had a greater understanding of God’s love for me. There have never been two days that were the same. Every day has seen different amounts of communication with God, time spent in the Word and activities in my faith. There has been no ritual in my covenant relationship with God. Some days I have spent hours with God and other days there may have been no conscious communication at all. I never once thought that a day with little communication was jeopardizing my covenant with God. I am at rest in that covenant.
In both covenants it is important to have heartfelt communication. But a relationship is a dynamic, living communion that won’t be the same every day. There is no guilt in a living relationship. It is a commitment of mutual love and blessing.
Religion is not a relationship. It is a forced structure of behavior modification, requirements and obligations that when left undone produce guilt and a desire to escape. Some marriages are like that as well. True life, peace and joy will never be found in the bondage of religion. Only a loving relationship can fill a heart with life, peace and joy.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Rom. 5:1)
1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity–the man Christ Jesus.”
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)
Enjoy your relationship with God. Rest in His covenant with you.
The writer is a Dean of Instuctors at Charis Bible College in Colorado. Author reserves all rights to this publication.
