How to Have a Christ-Centered Marriage (Part 2)

Introduction: Prior to salvation, we were spiritually dead to God and alive to sin. As a result of being “in the flesh,” we carried out the deeds of the flesh. At the point of salvation, however, we were regenerated (“born again”) and our spirit was made alive. We were enabled to live a life of holiness through the supernatural strength provided by the Holy Spirit. As we depend upon his power day to day to live the Christian life, we are spiritually transformed into the likeness of Christ. As a result, our marriage begins to grow in harmony, intimacy, and oneness

A. The Cause Of Spiritual Death

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned (that is, in Adam).” Romans 5:12

Note: Humans are not sinners because they sin, but because they are sinners

B. The Definition Of Spiritual Death

Spiritual death means that we are severed or cut off from God. This separation was twofold:

1. Separation from the life of God
   “Being darkened in their understanding, separated from the life of God…” Ephesians 4:18

At the moment Adam and Eve chose independence from God, His life vacated their human spirit with the result that the human spirit became dead to God and alive to sin. Even though Adam and Eve remained physically alive, they no longer possessed God’s spiritual life within them. God separated Himself from them with the result that He would no longer be their primary Source for meeting their every need.

Spiritual death is caused by SIN, which results in a SEPARATION from God’s life and His source of provision.

As a result of their SEPARATION from God:

• God was no longer their SOURCE to meet their needs.
• They lost the PERFECT harmony, intimacy, and oneness that they were experiencing.
• It was now up to THEM to resolve the conflicts that they would now be experiencing.
• It was up to them to cultivate a successful marriage by their OWN efforts.

Note: But now that you are born again, you have the fullness of God’s life and power in you.

A. Christ’s LIFE

For God to once again be man’s Source, He had to put His life back inside of him. We know that the life He put within us is eternal life and that life is in His Son.

“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life….”  1 John 5:12a

Why was it necessary for God the Father to put His LIFE (the Spirit of Christ) in you?

“…I AM the way, the truth, and THE LIFE…” John 14:6

“…I AM the resurrection and THE LIFE.” John 11:25

“…Christ who is YOUR life...” Colossians 3:4

Christ, as your (THE) Life, means that His CHARACTERISTICS are now available to you.

Examples of Christ-like character:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is (Christ’s) love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Gal. 5:22-23a

Since you are the container (i.e., “clay pot”) of ALL of Christ’s LIFE, what is preventing you from DRAWING ON these characteristics in your marriage?

B. God’s POWER

In addition to Christ’s life, you received all of God’s power at the point of salvation.

“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….” Acts 1:8

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

What kind of power is God’s power?

“I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of His power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 1:19, 20Note: The SAME power that RESURRECTED Jesus from the dead is IN YOU!

Why was it necessary for God to put His power in us?

1. Our willpower cannot conquer the flesh or the sin within us.
2. Our willpower is no match for Satan’s power.

The key to having a Christ-entered marriage: God put His POWER in us to do what we CANNOT do for ourselves.

 

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