Philippians 2:1
If I find any encouragement from being united with Christ.
The word “united” is the same word Jesus uses when he speaks of a husband and a wife being united in marriage (Matthew 19:5). When a single man and a single woman say “yes” to each other at the alter, they become united as husband and wife. Their words, their world and their ways all become interconnected. The two are no longer considered independent, they are considered one. When people interact with me and my wife is not around me, they know that everything I do is also connected with my wife. I can’t leave for the weekend and not tell her. I can’t do things that offend her. I can’t just “hang out with the guys” and live as if she does not exist. Nor can I simply use her for my personal gratification. She is not there to simply fulfill my wants, desires and expectations. We are united as one, therefore we constantly live our lives in the reality that we are married and are one. Our goal is to help one another, to serve one another and to encourage one another till death does us part. If either of us has a need, the other one of us will do all we can do to help meet that need. We share life together. We share our experiences together, even out experiences we had when we were not together.
Being united is not a temporary situation, it is a permanent situation. It is the leaving of all others and being connected to Christ. Jesus made the decision to be united with me a long time ago. He decided he wants to have a permanent relationship with me. He said “Yes”. Then he demonstrated how serious he was about it by becoming human, even though he was in the very nature God. He made himself nothing. He took on the nature of a servant. He humbled himself. He became obedient to death, even death on a cross! (Phil 2:6-8).
This must be encouraging news. The God of the universe, the creator of all things personally died a humiliating death so that he could have a relationship with me. God made the first move, the second move and every move he could possibly make so that we would be united. He offers to forgive all my sins and then to fill me with His Spirit. It gets better, he offers me a fantastic destiny, a permanent place in his kingdom, a life filled with abundance. All I have to do is accept his offer and live like I am married to Christ.
Being married to Christ is more than saying “Yes” to Christ. It is now about living out this relationship in a way that constantly strengthens the relationship. My goal is to glorify, to enhance the reputation of Christ. He already served me through his obedience. He already gave everything to me through his humility when he did not consider equality with God a better advantage. Now, I get to express my love for him in humble service. I get to live my life in such a way that everyone knows that everything I do will be filtered in and through my marriage with Christ.
So, today I will live with the knowledge that everything I say and do needs to bring glory and honor to Christ. May he be honored through my words and my actions today.