Two Lights Shine Brighter Than One

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:22-25

My wife and I were talking with a friend just the other day about life. The friend commented about our marriage and that our relationship was an encouragement to them about their own marriage. That is not the first time we have had a conversation like that. Our children and grandchildren have said the same thing from time to time. I appreciated the friend's words, but through that conversation the Spirit of God brought to my mind the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians chapter 5.

I have quoted about the fruit of the Spirit many times in the past. In fact, I just wrote a devotional not long ago citing that scripture. But I thought about it in a different way this time. I believe that what people see in Martie and me is not a result of our personal effort or following "10 sure fire steps to having a good marriage" but a demonstration or manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit toward each other. 

LOVE : We lay our lives down for each other as a demonstration of our love for each other - John 15:13 - Do you remember the short story - "The Gift Of The Magi" by O Henry? If not, Google it and read it, then you will make the connection. JOY : The comment is often made that Martie and I make each other laugh. When I first heard it I was surprised. But after I talked about it with Martie, I realized that we do. We like being with and want to be with each other. I would say that our relationship is light hearted. PEACE : Not just the absence of strife in our lives - but peace in the midst of it. The peace that surpasses all understanding. Our journey together over the nearly 54 years - 50 of those years as Christians - has put life and what comes our way in perspective. People often remark that our home is a peaceful place. PATIENCE : We don't demand perfection from each other but allow for each other's imperfections. We don't take it personally when there is a disagreement but look to the heart of the other person knowing that each of us love the other. We know that the motive is never to slight or demean the other one. We are one, but at the same time are two.

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful" - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

KINDNESS: It is so easy to be unkind. It is part of our old nature. Kindness is deferring to the other person. Not insisting that it be my way or the highway. Very little in our lives is critical to life. I see Martie as a fragile flower that I must treat with care lest I do the flower harm - emotionally. And the same is true for Martie toward me. Oh, you don't see me as a fragile flower? I am speaking of the inner man - the heart - which can be broken all too easily. I have told her that the only opinion about me that really matters to me, apart from the Lord's is her opinion. If your spouse is the most important person to you on this planet then that is the way it should be. Why would you not be kind to each other? 

OK - you get the idea. My point in all of this is that the fruit of the Spirit should not only be manifested in each of us as a witness to the world, but also and especially through the marriage relationship. Of course that will not and cannot happen if you are not evenly yoked spiritually with your spouse. (Both of you must be Christians) [Living with an uneven yoke may be a devotion for another time.] But if you are equally yoked with your spouse then God can and should be glorified and Jesus can and should be be magnified through that relationship. Two lights shine brighter than one. 

Frankly, this is something I knew but didn't realize it was happening through Martie and me. And when I did I was humbled and thankful. 

This doesn't just happen - you must be intentional about your relationship with your spouse and with the Lord. It takes determination - work - effort - but it is worth it on both counts - to that I can testify!

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone