Tuesday 2-12-08 "Soul"

Greetings Internet Campus,

Mark 12:30-31 (NLT2) 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

How did it go yesterday? Did you make a step toward becoming one in heart? I hope so...your marriage will be blessed because of it. Today we are going to look at becoming one soul.

There are three different groups all trying to be one soul:

1) If you and your spouse are both believers - the way to become one soul is already accomplished. You both are following Christ with your lives and should be working together to grow stronger and more unified spiritually. Pray together, worship together, talk about spiritual things together...your relationship will deepen, your love will go to new depths with both God and each other, and your marriage will be blessed. There will still be tough times ahead...but you both know where your source of strength is...your relationship with Christ.

2) If you are a believer and your spouse is not (or vice versa)- This is actually a pretty simple concept. However, for many couples it is the most challenging. Conceptually, the idea of "one soul" involves your walk with God....or in some cases a lack thereof. I speak with literally hundreds of couples who are what the Bible calls, "unequally yoked"...that is, one is a believer in Christ and the other isn't.

If you are going to become one soul in Christ, you both have to believe that He is Lord and Savior. Makes sense, doesn't it? The frustration occurs when you are the believer and are not allowed to fully exercise your beliefs in your own home. I know this it tough. Here is my best advice...
A) Never give up hope on your spouse....model Christ's love in front of him/her. Tell them about God in ways that are not threatening or "preachy"
B) Keep praying for your spouse's salvation - You are NOT responsible for your spouse's salvation. You are responsible for telling them about God and His free gift of salvation. If they have heard the Great News of Jesus Christ and reject it...it is a choice that they have made and are responsible for. There are far too many spouses feeling guilty because their husband or wife isn't saved. Don't feel that way. The Holy Spirit's responsibility is to take the seed that you plant and water it. I hope that this is liberating for some of you reading today... However, if you feel like quitting....go back and read part A of this section....

You can become one soul with your spouse...but sharing the same faith is critical for that to happen.

3) Neither of you are Christ-followers - I often hear the term "soul-mates" among couples where neither one of them are believers in God. While this may be partially true...can you imagine what your lives would be like if both of you could call on the grace, forgiveness, love, and mercy of Christ? I can only tell you from my 15+ years in ministry...couples that pray together stay together. Christ is the only cornerstone that successful, long-lasting, and truly fulfilling marriages are based on. I've seen many people believe that "love will see us through anything." Feelings don't always hold up...God never fails. I ask you to personally and as a couple investigate the claims of Christ...discover for yourselves His message of hope and eternal life.

No matter what camp you might be in...I am praying for you. Marriage is tough sometimes. When you are trying to be one soul in a world that is attempting to tear you apart...fatigue and frustration can sometimes set in. I don't want that to happen to you....lean on God...pray for each other...and commit your relationship to becoming one soul.

Write it Down: In your journal...evaluate your soul connection to your spouse. On a scale of 1-10, where 10 is complete soul connection...write down the number where you think you and your beloved are. Make a commitment today to improve that number by the end of the week.

See you tomorrow! Let me know what's on your mind!

Pastor Brian