Heirs Together: Building a marriage on the bedrock of Christ's Love

In a world where the very definition of marriage is debated and values are constantly shifting, the Body of Christ is called to be a beacon of clarity and a harbour of safety. But what happens when the storms of life and the brokenness of human nature enter our own homes? What is the true foundation of a scriptural marriage—the bedrock that remains when feelings fade and trials come? The answer, as explored in the talk "Heirs Together: Building a Marriage on the Bedrock of Christ's Love" is not found in cultural trends or romantic ideals. Instead, it is rooted in the profound, purpose-driven covenant that God designed from the beginning.

This talk aims to explore how a biblical marriage is defined not by emotion, but by its divine purpose. It is a partnership secured not by power, but by the sacrificial love of Christ. The talk also emphasises the vital role of the ecclesia, as a living sanctuary that reflects this truth. By focusing on the biblical purpose of marriage, the talk provides a deeper, stronger, and more durable foundation than one built on emotion alone. The primary goal of a marriage, according to the talk, is not personal happiness on this earth , but to help each other get to the Kingdom of God. This talk invites listeners to consider a hopeful and practical path forward for building marriages that are safe, purposeful, and resilient, grounded in the unshakeable bedrock of Christ’s love.

Our culture often places an immense emphasis on romantic love as the be-all and end-all of marriage. We are told a story of fairy-tale endings and emotional fulfilment as the ultimate purpose. However, the Bible points us to a foundation that is deeper, stronger, and far more durable than emotion. The talk makes it clear that while romance is a wonderful gift from God, the true bedrock of marriage is a serious, purpose-driven covenant. It is a sacred partnership with an eternal destination, where a husband and wife are "heirs together of the grace of life". This means the marriage is not a fairy-tale story, but a joint venture with the primary purpose of helping each other on the journey to the Kingdom of God.

Unfortunately, some narratives exist that dismiss the lived experience of victims and survivors. They may use terms like "victim mentality" to suggest that someone is choosing to be helpless or to dismiss their pain. The talk explicitly refutes this, showing that being a victim of abuse is a "factual reality" of what happened to a person, not a "mentality". We argue that this is a "cruel and unscriptural" way to view someone who has been genuinely harmed. The talk addresses "worldly philosophies". These narratives, sometimes "cloaked in spiritual-sounding language," suggest that "true masculinity is about dominance" and that "relationships are a battle for control". The talk rejects these ideas, asserting that they are the opposite of Christ's love and are not love at all. It holds up Jesus's example of using strength to serve and protect the vulnerable, not to dominate. The talk underscores the ecclesia's responsibility to be a "stronghold for the oppressed" and to believe and protect the vulnerable, not tolerate behaviour that violates the model of Christ's sacrificial love.