In the beginning it is love and infatuation that prime the engine of a relationship. But it is the continuing supply of commitment that keeps it going. Just as you have to keep putting gas in the car to keep the engine going, so it is with commitment in every relationship. It's like having a beautiful wedding, but after the wedding the marriage begins; and without commitment there can really be no marriage. Why is it that so many couples would rather just live together rather than get married? Commitment is the problem. They don't want to commit to each other because it carries a great responsibility. My husband and I were married for forty-nine years, nine months, two weeks and three days. It was certainly not a perfect marriage because it was impossible for two imperfect people to have a perfect relationship. But we made a commitment that said, "Until death do us part"....and that is the way it was, from June 7, 1958 until February 21, 2008; to God be the glory. But it took a lot of prayer and allowing God to show me myself. Marriage is hard work and takes 100% effort from both partners, not 50/50; but when you really love someone, you don't mind working at it.
We are the "Bride of Christ". In the Gospels Jesus referred to Himself as the Bridegroom and His followers as His Bride (John 3:29). In Ephesians 5:22-33, Paul compares the Church and Jesus as the Bride and the Bridegroom, and relates it to husbands and wives being totally committed to each other. It is in this life where we prove our commitment to Jesus, our Bridegroom, and we are preparing to be eternally joined with Him at the "Marriage Supper of the Lamb" (Revelations 19:6-9). We have to remain true to our "Husband", Jesus Christ, at all times. There is no time out for bad behavior. This is a 24/7 lifestyle of total, unwavering commitment to the "Lover of Our Soul". Love is a gift that anyone can give, but when it comes to commitment, not everyone is able to do what it takes to fulfill the responsibilities that come with it: it makes them afraid to say, "I do" or "I will", because it takes great sacrifice. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to prove His love for us by shedding His Blood and dying on the Cross. How much are we willing to sacrifice to prove our love? Jesus said, "As the Father hath loved Me so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." (John 15:9-10). In other words, Jesus is saying, "Stay committed to your love for Me, just as I have stayed committed to My love for My Father."
