THE GOSPEL AND MY MARRIAGE

THE GOSPEL AND MY MARRIAGE

Most of us believe the gospel and think that the gospel is for salvation
only. But the truth is that the gospel is on-going in our Christian
experience.

The gospel is for you today! The gospel that saves you is the gospel
that keeps you. It has powerful implications for you TODAY! It can
impact your marriage.

Listen to these marvelous truths as outlined for us in LOVE THAT LASTS
-- WHEN MARRIAGE MEETS GRACE by Gary & Betsy Ricucci:

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 1:17). 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 circumstance 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). There 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 dwell and war within us (Romans 7:19, 21, 24-25;
Galatians 5:16-17).

Ricucci's conclude that "when we grasp the depth of God's love for us
revealed in the gospel, when we rest in the joy of God's forgiveness
toward us in the gospel, when we experience God's transforming power in
us through the gospel, and when we begin to emulate the pattern of
humility and obedience we see in the gospel what a wonderful difference
this will make in our lives and marriages!"

Powerful words from LOVE THAT LASTS -- WHEN MARRIAGE MEETS GRACE,
published by Crossway and available at the KESWICK ONLINE BOOKSTORE @
www.americaskeswick.org.