The picture above was taken a number of years ago when we were in Ukraine visiting kids and churches. Nancy and I took a walk one cold afternoon and found this artistic metal work in a park. The creation was made for picture taking so we took one, even though it was not Valentines Day or our anniversary.

I believe the golden rings pictured a husband’s and wife’s wedding rings linked with some decorative metal flowers at the bottom. Between the intertwined rings was a small heart. You get the idea? Love is a commitment of two people “committed” to each who become like one. That is a universal principle that comes from Scripture. Marriage was God’s idea from the beginning.

The Bible refers to this concept in Genesis 2:25 where God creates man and woman and performs the first wedding ceremony were Adam married Eve in a perfect garden wedding. Note how many times that same idea is repeated in Scripture.

Gen_2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

Mat_19:5 and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'?

Mat_19:6 "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

Mar_10:8 AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh.

1Co_6:16 Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, "THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH."

Eph_5:31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

Amazing isn’t it? That verse is the foundation of what all weddings essentially should be since Creation (thousands of year ago). The three basics are leave, cleave or be joined together with commitment, and become one flesh. Note the order also. If you get them mixed up, you will have problems; then you need to humble yourself and seek God’s forgiveness in Christ and refocus. Only He can forgive our sin.

This is what constitutes God’s plan for marriage even if culture reverses things, or goes off track. Sincere, unselfish and committed love is what holds it together. We can say that from experience having been married over 50 years now; happy to tell you about it, too. Neither of us is perfect but, thanks to the Lord, we are forgiven and still “crazy about each other.”

Happy Valentines Day

Pastor Mark

Pastor Mark's Blog