Because of the Gospel...

So often the Gospel can be assumed. A colleague of mine once informed me that there are three stages of Gospel phases. 1) Faithful to the Gospel 2) Assuming the Gospel 3) Rejecting the Gospel.

It made me think about how others would say they apply the Gospel in their marriage. I know when I have thought about it for myself, I honestly could not say that I was entirely faithful to applying the Gospel in my marriage

Let me ask you: are you faithfully rehearsing the Gospel for yourself and with your wife? Do you assume the Gospel in your marriage? That would be thinking something like: 'Oh yea, I know Jesus died for my sins'. Or have you rejected the Gospel in your marriage? So you think you just need to work harder on your marriage.

In the book I recommended yesterday, I gleaned 9 reasons why the Gospel is so important for our marriages (found on pg 22 & 23).

1) Because of the gospel, Christians have become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore in our marriage, our past does not define us, confine us, or determine our future.

2) Because of the gospel, we are forgiven (Ephesians 1:7). Therefore we can live free of all guilt and condemnation for every sin, and we can trust that God, in His mercy, will be gracious to us.

3) Because of the gospel, we can forgive, just as Christ forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Nothing done against us compares to our sin against God. Therefore all offenses, hostility, and bitterness between Christians can be completely forgiven and removed.

4) Because of the gospel, we are accepted by God (Romans 15:7). Therefore we are not dependent on a spouse for who we are or what we need.

5) Because of the gospel, sin's ruling power over us is broken (Romans 6:6,14). Therefore we can truly obey all that God calls us to do in our marriage, regardless of any circumstances or situation.

6) Because of the gospel, we have access to God through Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16). Therefore we can at any time take any need in our marriage to the One who can do all things.

7) Because of the gospel, we have hope (Romans 5:1-4). Therefore we can endure any marital difficulty, hardship, or suffering, with the assurance that God is working all to our greatest good (Romans 8:28).

8) Because of the gospel, Christ dwells in us by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14). Therefore we are confident that God is always with us and is always at work in our marriage, even when progress is imperceptible (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

9) Because of the gospel, we have power to fight and overcome remaining sin, which continues to swell and war within us (Romans 7:19-21; Galatians 5:16-17). This indwelling enemy represents the essence of what is called the doctrine of sin.

Do these 9 'because fo the gospel's' not encourage you? Boy I have been thinking about them all day! I am encouraged by these truths....