Rev Francisco BilogColossians 3:12-17
Well, here you are Bing and Choy! Today you are at a beginning. You begin today as husband and wife. Everything is ready. Optimism abounds, you are eager build upon your relationship and everyone here is cheering you on. It is a time of excitement, a time of awe and wonder, a time of not a little apprehension. Can we make this work? Who is this person standing next to me?
Today’s lessons are a blue print for success in marriage. You can’t miss if you take it seriously, as you allow God to build your life with you.
- You are Chosen by God.
It begins with a statement of who you are.
“You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you or his own,” Col.3:12
“I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit,” John 15:16
Yes, indeed, you are God’s chosen people. It doesn’t get any better than that. You are singled out today for the joy and celebration that is lavished upon you. You are beginning your married life together in the best possible way by coming before God to receive God’s blessing on you today and the rest of your life together. When he has chosen as his own, he also made plans for our journey in life. God says “Surely, I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope,” Jer. 29:11.
This clearly tells us that God is very active in guiding your goals in life. Even your love affair is in God’s plan and our celebration today. But of course it’s realization was dependent upon your response to God’s guiding hands.
The great interest in the gospel reading lies in the fact that we can compile a list of the things for which we are chosen and to which we are called. Let me mention a few.
- We are chosen for love, as Jesus said, “My commandment is this, love
one another just as I love you,” John 15:12.
There is no better basis from which to start your journey together. You are God’s chosen people, holy and beloved. Jesus said: “I love you just as the Father loves me, remain in my love,” John 15:9. This also clearly tells you that you are chosen for each other to love each other. We too who are gathered here today to witness your vows and pray for you manifest that we love you and care for you.
- We are chosen for joy, as Jesus said: “I have told you this so that my joy may
be in you and that your joy may be complete,” John 15:11.
There is always joy in doing the right things. The Christian way may be hard, both in the traveling and the goal, but it is the way of joy. The Christian is a man of joy. A gloomy Christian is contradiction I terms.
- God calls us to be his friend and partner, as Jesus again said: “I do not
call you servants any longer,…instead I call you friends, “ John 15:15
That is a tremendous offer. It means that we no longer do we have to gaze longingly at God from afar. Jesus did the amazing thing, he gave us the intimacy with God, so that god is no longer a distant stranger to your family, but your intimate friend.
Jesus also said, “I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my father,” (v. 15b) He has done this things because he considers us his partner in the work. Yes, partner in the work of the kingdom and more particularly partner in building your family specially teaching and molding the children that God will gift you.
- God chose both of you to be a privileged member of the family of God,
as Jesus promised, “The Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name,” (v.16b).
He chose you so that whatever you ask in His name the Father will give it to you. God is saying that, as you start your life together, you are not on your own, you are a part of the family of God. The love, the care and the resources of God kingdom is open at your disposal with Christ as your helper.
This is a blue print for you to build upon. Here are instructions on how to begin the work of married life. Yes work, some days it will be harder work than others.
Work to prepare yourself. You are to actively put on the following because they will not just happen. Put on compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, patience. You are giving these to your spouse as gifts. These are attributes which listen to the needs of the other and answers with caring. Self-giving which is not demanding.
This is work for you as a couple. You are to be forbearing for one another. Giving room and space. Tolerating those days when we you are having a day that is less than great.
Forgiving one another. There was a line in the old movie “Love Story” that got far too much attention. It was “Love is never having to say I’m sorry”. Likely the stupidest line yet. Love is to be always ready to say, “I’m sorry.” To accept those words and move on.
Put on love. Love that is a gift from God which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Always work for the harmony which seems so real today. Remember how it feels today for those days when it seems so remote.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. Let — allow Christ to enlighten and inform your lives. This is the peace that “passes all understanding”. The peace where you live in harmony with God and all people — especially your spouse. Let the peace rule in your hearts. Make God a priority in your lives. You begin well today — before God. Don’t leave it here. Take time to be found among God’s people who are also working at their own blue prints.
Finally, be thankful. To God, for choosing you, declaring you holy and blessed. To your family and friends who are gathered here today. To each other for what you have been for each other and for all you will be.
Today you set out on the sometimes turbulent sea of married life.
You have set before yourselves a blue print to help your marriage which you are building to be full of life and be strong. Hold that blue print close, consult it often and build yourselves a beautiful and strong marriage.
God bless you as you grow in grace as husband and wife.