Together in Christ: 'Flowers Fade; Let's Keep Our Love Fresh' — Mark 10:6-8

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

[Responding to a question about divorce, Jesus emphasized,] "'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation. 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."

— Mark 10:6-8 NLT

Key Thought

So, did you get your special love interest some flowers for Valentine's Day? I bet those flowers are starting to fade and wilt. Cut flowers fade, but real love lasts forever. [1] So, what are you doing to help the loved ones in your life know that your love is fresh and will not fade?

God made sure we knew that love is more than mere sentiments and feelings when He redefined the word ἀγάπη (agape) by how He demonstrated His love for us in Jesus. [2] Jesus now commands us to love each other as He loves us. [3] Demonstrating our love for each other has to be a spiritual priority, especially for those united in marriage. In marriage, the husband and wife are no longer two people but are joined together forever physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually by God. [4] They are united, and God doesn't want that union to be broken. But, more than not breaking that union, God desires that their marriage be full of love, real Jesustyle ἀγάπη love. That means learning fresh ways to demonstrate and affirm our love through our actions toward our spouse and family. So, each of us needs to ask: What fresh ways am I learning to demonstrate and emphasize that our love won't fail?

[1] 1 Corinthians 13:8, 13.
[2] Romans 5:6-11; 1 John 4:7-12. The Greek word used for God's love in these passages and others is ἀγάπη (agape).
[3] John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16-18.
[4] Matthew 19:4-6 suggests that the oneness of a husband and wife involves these four dimensions of union: physical (being united as one in marital sex), emotional (living with affection for each other that is demonstrated in living for their best interests and needs), social (leaving parents in order to be joined together), spiritual (being joined by God).

Today's Prayer

Father, You have lavishly demonstrated Your love to me in a great variety of ways. I ask that the Holy Spirit help me find creative ways to demonstrate my love to those precious to me in my family. I pray, asking for Your help and power, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
  • Ephesians 5:21-33

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 10:6-8 NLT — [Responding to a question about divorce, Jesus emphasized,] "'God made them male and female' from the beginning of creation. 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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