Where Love Dwells Within (2)

Rev. G.J. Van Aalst, Klaaswaal, the Netherlands

To know and to understand

Within the marriage form, on four different occasions, there is spoken with emphasis about “knowing.” “In the first place you are to know...” “But that you may live godly in this state, you must know...” “You who are the bridegroom must know...” And finally, “In like manner, must you who are the bride, know...” In these words, it is emphasized that you must know it. Then, as if this is not enough, we hear once more, “Wherefore you, N, and you, N., having now understood (know)...”

This goes even deeper. We must not know it only with our minds; we must above all understand (know) it with our hearts. Let us, even at the very least, take care that what has been placed before us in this form has a place in our understanding. Beg the Lord daily that He will also give it a place in our heart.

A threefold cord

The church of all ages in dealing with these tender, sensitive issues has asked, “Lord, what wilt Thou that I should do?” Should you not then ask, along with her (the church), for the light and leading of the Holy Spirit? Not for the forming of your conscience only, but above all that you may receive God’s renewing grace in Christ. In such a way God’s church has throughout the ages, both in marriage and in family life, been built and prepared for the marriage feast of the Lamb. How wonderful it would be if you may also be among them. Use, therefore, the means which God has provided. Read God’s Word together and place the marriage form next to God’s Word. Ask the Lord that you may understand His unchangeable will, especially at this time. The Lord is so worthy. It is our hearty wish that you may have a life of dependency upon the throne of grace so that together you may be truly happy in a way of regeneration and conversion. God’s Word speaks of a threefold cord that will not be quickly broken. Related to that dependency with an unbreakable tie are three things: seeking together, reading together, and listening together.

Yes, yes; no, no

If we do not have sufficient knowledge of the contents of the marriage form, we may well ask ourselves to what are we really giving our yes during the marriage ceremony? We should consider this question thoughtfully. Our yes should really be a true yes. In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord Jesus told the multitude, “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Our promise is made before the face of God. To Him we are accountable. To the Lord, to the people, but especially also to him or her who stands next to you on your marriage day. We should be unswerving in our yes and no, for that is expressly asked her/him: “Promising to love faithfully, keeping faith and truth”

From child to child (from generation to generation)

Think about it; is it likely that in your business life you would sign a form without first carefully reading it? Is it possible that on your wedding day you answered yes to the questions without knowing what is written in the form? We hope not. That is why we would like to go through the form line by line, even if you are not much of a reader. Take some time for it and pray for light from that same Holy Spirit who was also willing to lead our forefathers. When the form was written in the sixteenth century, times were difficult because of persecution. The government had not yet regulated matters regarding marriage as closely as the church desired. In addition there was much poverty and disarray in society.

Circumstances, therefore, (in certain aspects) were quite different from today, but the God of the marriage form was then and is today the same. He has instituted marriage, and Christ performed His first miracle at a wedding in Cana. No matter how destructive the powers of sin may be throughout all ages, His grace is stronger. “His Name shall endure forever: His Name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed” (Psalm 72:17). That is why we agree heartily with the Apostle John as he writes in his third epistle, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

(To be continued)

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