Identity

I will be the first to admit that selflessness is difficult in this sinful world and what I have observed in others is that it is increasingly more difficult when they do not know their own identity. When God created the world, he took pleasure in creating man and woman in his image(imago dei). He creates every man and woman both wonderfully and uniquely. Yet, when one or both spouses aren’t clear that their identity is rooted in Christ they are bound to experience unhappiness and oftentimes selfishness. The Holy Trinity demonstrates the uniqueness of the interrelations between the Father, Son, and Spirit. While we should keep in mind that the Godhead is One, it doesn’t take away from the fact that there is no confusion amongst the three persons or the role that each plays. If the Triune God is unique in his personhood, would the same not apply to the creation that is made in his image?

In a perfect world, both spouses would enter into holy matrimony with full awareness and comprehension of who they are but that is not always the case. Knowing thyself is in part what helps to guide our relationships with others in moral ways. Our relationships should include first the one that we have with God. However, some spouses may not have a relationship with Christ before getting married, or perhaps they have arrested development in their spiritual maturity and are therefore still babies in Christ.

As men and women mature in Christ, however, they will come to recognize that there is diversity present within the Godhead, and while he transcends gender and sex, his intelligent design for men and women reflects the diverse characteristics he has given them. Sometimes roles between husband and wife may shift due to circumstances of life (illness, loss of job, etc.) but that shouldn’t change their identity. Conversely, God is absolutely certain of his identity, and the roles within the Trinity remain constant. The Father is always our eternal Creator and source of everything, the Son is always the sacrificial Lamb that was sent to save us, and the Holy Spirit continually serves as our Counselor.

Even if the tangible roles in a marriage must adjust based on seasons, it is helpful to acknowledge that the distinct roles within the Godhead denote the significant need for spouses to know their own identity. Just as the work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit accomplishes greater than we can ever imagine, much can also be achieved by husband and wife when they are clear on who God created them to be.