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I think most of us would say that we love our spouse. That would be a biblical thing to say (Titus 2:4; Ephesians 5:33). If we do not, then we need to repent and love them as the Bible teaches. The question I want to ask is: do you like your spouse? Is there a difference? I think so. I can love someone and do the right thing but not like them and, in turn, do it for the wrong reason.

 

Why is this even a concern? When you are dating, you like each other and want to spend time together so you can get to know each other better. You usually marry someone you like. What happens? Life. Now that you are married, you live together, and it is hard to live with people. You do things a certain way, and they do it another way. You cannot go out to eat all the time so someone needs to fix food, but you both work. You do not live at your parents’ house so someone needs to do laundry and clean. Someone needs to work so you have money to buy things. You do not always see eye to eye on how to spend that money. There is sickness and financial struggles, etc. Then kids. We go from the couple that went to ballgames or hiking or vacations or whatever your things were to people having to deal with life. And life can be tough. When we do not become one (Genesis 2:24) by working together, we can start working against each other and become roommates at best and at worst enemies.

 

I want to challenge you to enjoy each other (Proverbs 5:18). Yes, I know that is talking about more than going to a movie or dinner together, but I think we need to step away from life sometimes and enjoy each other. It does not have to be a week long or expensive. But the joy you find in each other can keep your love strong.

 

My thanks to Adam Faughn for his thoughts that inspired this article.


My Broncos had a good season. If you had told me at the start of the season that we would make the playoffs, I would have been pumped. We ended up losing in the first round. I was disappointed. I had begun to believe we were capable of winning, especially after our first touchdown. But we lost, and I was disappointed. But I am not alone. There are thirty-one teams and their fan bases who will be disappointed after the Super Bowl. Why? Because we are all in competition to win it all, to be the best. But that only happens for one. Is that how it is spiritually? Will there only be one person who gets to hear “Well done, good and faithful slave”? (Matthew 25:21).

 

The answer is no. We are not in a competition. In fact, I believe when Jesus says in John 14:2 that “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places,” he is referring to the fact that all who are obedient to God will have a place with Him in heaven. So heaven is unlike the work place where there may be one job opening and twenty applications with only one getting the job so you have to do your best to shine brighter than the rest. It is more liking getting a driver’s license where, if you will pass the written and road test, everyone can have a license and there are no mean driving instructors or DMV’s.

 

If we are not competing against each other, how should we act? We should be helping each other as we travel this straight and narrow path. I am not trying to beat you out for a spot but called to help you to the finish line. Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another day after day.” Sometimes that means a helping hand for a burden that might be hard for someone to bear or an encouraging word about overcoming. Sometimes that is confronting someone in love about their sin so they can be right with God. What are you doing to help someone on the path to heaven?



John 9:4

John 13:31-32

John 17:1-4


If our purpose is to be like Jesus, then what was Jesus' ultimate purpose?


It looks like Jesus' ultimate purpose was to _________________ .


What should we do to be like Jesus?


Matthew 5:16

John 15:8

I Corinthians 6:20

I Corinthians 10:31

Ephesians 5:10

I Peter 2:12

I Peter 4:11


Can you think of any other scriptures to go with the ones we are studying?


What does glorify God mean?


What are ways I can carry out the purpose of Jesus in my life?


How do I see others carrying out the purpose of Jesus in their lives?


What stands in the way of carrying out the purpose of Jesus in my life?


How do we encourage others to carry out the purpose of Jesus in their lives?



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