|
Post by newstartnow on Jul 1, 2010 9:14:27 GMT -5
After seeing the movie "Fireproof" some time ago, I knew that they would capitalize on the Love Dare that was so important to the movie. And sure enough you can buy the "Love Dare" at the book store,
What do you think of Christian's using that book to improve marriages? It seems innocent enough but I wonder.
|
|
|
Post by LDM on Jul 2, 2010 9:37:01 GMT -5
Hi Newstart,
I see it in the light of a parallel to our relationship with Christ as His bride. Although many churches attempt to outline such, there is no ten-step program to how to be a Christian or how to be a spouse. If one is not led by the Holy Spirit, then any effort is a work of the flesh and will fail.
My pastor's wife recently shared that a co-worker asked her how her marriage was successful. Her answer was, "Because Jesus is in the middle of it". I have to agree with that. Unless Jesus is the focus of our efforts - even in a marriage - then our efforts are in vain.
When I got married, we were given a plague that says "Marriage Takes Three". It goes as follows:
Marriage takes three to be complete; It's not enough for two to meet They must be united in love By love's Creator God above. A marriage that follows God's plan Takes more than a woman and a man. It needs a oneness that can be Only from Christ - marriage takes three. By Beth Stuckwisch
Recently, in a discussion of marriage with a friend, they shared:
"Most people who get married are 2 ticks, each assuming the other is a dog. Their intention is to take, take, take...and when the well runs dry, they say, "We just don't love each other anymore."
No marriage will last or be truly happy without a continuous pattern of selflessness."
I believe that is the crux. Many think that marriage is "for them" and what they can "get out of it". Yet Scripture seems to indicate that marriage is about what we can give.
Like everything else in life, we must get our "selves" out of the way and this is only possible in Christ.
I did see Fireproof, and while I have watched the movie productions by Sherwood Baptist Church, there presentations are often very "Baptist doctrine" oriented. By this, I mean that there is not much guidance on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer (i.e. and the power of the cross). So, what you are often left with is a rather man-centered focus on living the Christian life; hence the typical "ten-step" approach.
I am not condemning those movies as my family has all of them, but simply noticing as it seems that you have that anything apart from the transforming power of God in a man's (or woman's) life just falls short of Christian living.
The answer for being a selfish spouse (or even being married to one, LOL) lies in the cross of Christ.
|
|