September 10

Marriage puts into your spouse’s hand a massive power to reprogram your own self-appreciation. He or she can overturn anything previously said about you, to a great degree redeeming the past… [and healing] you of many of the deepest wounds. Why? If all the world says you are ugly, but your spouse says you are beautiful, you feel beautiful. To paraphrase a passage of Scripture, your heart may condemn you, but your spouse’s opinion is greater than your heart. (Hardcover, p. 147; paperback, p. 163) 

THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION. Our  self-image is the aggrega- tion of many “verdicts” that have been passed on to us over the years. Some were good and some were bad and your heart is deeply divided over which verdicts to believe and how to assess yourself. The ultimate solution to this identity problem is the gospel. Christ covers all your sins and gives a final verdict of “not guilty and fully loved, in me” (cf. Galatians 3:10-14; Romans 8:1). But the wonderful fact is that a good spouse can provide a foreshadowing and a representation of that amazing love. He or she can say, “I see all your sins but I love you fully, forever.” As a spouse, do you see the power for good that you have? 

Reflection: Recall a time in which your spouse affirmed you and lifted you up despite the counterevidence of your flaws and failures. 

Thought for prayer: Meditate on John 19:30 (Jesus’s cry, “It is 

finished!”) and Romans 8:1: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In light of these promises, praise God, thank him, and confess ways you fail to accept these truths. 

Reference: The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy and Kathy Keller. 

Scriptures 

Galatians 3:10-14 New King James Version

The Law Brings a Curse

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is [a]justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans 8:1  New King James Version

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who[a] do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.