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SALVATION AND RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

October 18,1998

SALVATION
Jesus likened salvation to a human wedding - a commitment between two persons. Jesus called himself the "Bridegroom." Matthew 9:14-15

The believers in Christ are called "the Bride." Revelation 19:1-9

A Jewish wedding at the time of Christ is totally different from an American wedding today. The parents selected a bride for their son, while the son was still a small child. The parents went to the courthouse and had the arranged marriage recorded. The father of the groom paid for the bride, and at the time of the wedding feast (the consummation of the marriage), which always took place years later when the children have grown up, the father of the groom paid for the feast and supplied all wedding garments. Matthew 22:1-14

At the time of arrangement, the father of the groom paid the price in full for the bride. At Calvary Jesus paid in full for the salvation of all men - Hebrews 9:11-26; Romans 5:1-12

A Jewish bride to be could never purchase a husband. Neither can a Christian pay for his own salvation. Romans 3:10-20

All Justification (payment) is done by Jesus - Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians 2:8-10

TO BE SAVED IS TO BE BORN AGAIN - MARRIED TO JESUS! John 3:1-7
The arrangement for our marriage to Jesus took place some 1970 years ago, our part of the agreement to come into force is to take the WEDDING VOWS! Romans 10:8-13

RELATIONSHIP
Once the wedding is over the couple moves into their marriage which is supposed to last until they physically die. The marriage with Jesus will last forever! I John 5:10-13
Getting married is the easy part. Staying married is the hard part.
A good marriage demands A GREAT RELATIONSHIP! John 15:1-17
A great relationship is built on TRUST AND LOVE! John 14:9-21
A great relationship is maintained through LOVING AND CARING for one another! John 13:1-17
On Earth the man and his wife are together holding their marriage together.  But it is JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD WHO IS HOLDING THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE SAVED SINNER! John 10:27-30; 17:6-12

Man can break the fellowship/relationship, but he cannot break the marriage! 1 John 1:5-10 
Some day in the future, it will be possible for man to break the marriage with the Lamb by taking the Mark of the Beast. Rev. 13:16-18; 14:9-11;

Do you have a good or rotten marriage on this earth?

How is your marriage going with Jesus? Only you can decide if it is going to be great or a "Pain in the Neck." Hebrews 12:5-13