Unity in Christ for married couples

 
Our church had a ‘date night’ yesterday with a delicious catered meal, some silly games, and speakers who told us how to strengthen our marriages. The couples were attentive yet those of us married a long time kept wanting to add something to the advice given. Friends at the next table had sixty-three years together. We talked and the end and the husband echoed our ‘secret’ of a happy marriage in three words: Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

Today’s reading is about the unity produced by the Holy Spirit in the early church. He came on the day of Pentecost and changed their lives.

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…

That was the beginning of what God intended to do and still wants for those who believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him. Paul wrote to the church:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1–6)

Our unity is because of the Holy Spirit. As we talked with two other long-married couples last night, we agreed on the power of the Lord to bring unity to marriages. I remember someone saying that the closer two people move toward God, the closer they become to each other. This works in relationships with other believers and is really true for marriages. Christian marriages are not exempt from separation and divorce yet behind all rifts and splits are lies from the pit. Satan does not want “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” so if he can get us to sin, he will ruin unity and marriage.

One of the ‘tips’ stressed by the speakers was communication. They didn’t mention the power of God to deepen this between couples, but I noticed something reading about the early church. When the Holy Spirit filled them, they began to communicate with others as never before. In that event, they “began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1–4)

Reading through shows how this involved people with languages they did not previously understand. I chuckled because that is like getting married — two people eventually realize they do not understand one another! However, the Holy Spirit took care of that problem as: “both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 2:11) This list is longer with several nations involved. God can do that with us too, not so much speaking in other tongues but helping couples hear and understand what at first seems foreign to them.

It began with those who knew Jesus and “with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer”(Acts 1:14). While prayer was mentioned at the date night, the power of God to make marriage last and glorify God in the process is the work of the Holy Spirit.

PRAY: Jesus, while You gave me a few other worthwhile ‘tips’ to strengthen our marriage, seeing Your power to bridge gaps in communication is wonderful. I need to always listen and obey as You tell me to speak and act in ways that make our marriage stronger and that will help others who are curious and want the same unity.