Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Good Gifts: New Power

In the opening verses of Romans 7, Paul uses the analogy of marriage. Are you married to the law or married to grace? Other relationships are contractual, but marriage is supposed to be covenantal—two spouses in an exclusive, unique, and loving relationship unlike any other. Marriage is also supposed to be mutual. The decisions we make impact and affect one another. Spouses are not two independent people; they become one person together.

Marriage is supposed to be total. It includes all your life—your money, time, energy, relationships, employment ... everything you have is involved and invested. Marriage is supposed to be sacrificial. You’re supposed to serve each other and give up some of your freedoms and preferences to enjoy love and unity in consideration for the other.

Marriage is supposed to be fruitful. The Bible says it’s not good to be alone (see Genesis 2:18). You’re better together. You can get more done and be more effective in life and ministry together. Marriage is supposed to be flexible. There are tools, not rules, for the marriage relationship.

Is marriage a good experience or a bad experience? It all depends on who is in the relationship. If the husband is a decent man and the wife is a decent woman, then they may have a decent relationship. If he is a situation and she is a situation, then they will have quite a situation. When I officiate a wedding, I have the husband and wife face one another, and I tell everyone that there are only two possible things that could go wrong in this relationship: this man and this woman. Those are the only two real variables. Marriage can be awesome or awful—it all depends on who you are and to whom you’re married. This is the basic analogy the apostle Paul is going to give us. We’re either married to the law or married to grace. We’re either living under the law, or we’re living under grace.

Today’s Reflection

In your life, have you witnessed or experienced marriage as it is supposed to be?