A Royal Marriage

On Mother’s Day, I presented a message with the same title as this article. In recent days, several excellent writers out there in the blogosphere have posted their thoughts about the Royal Wedding. Some of my thoughts for the message and for this post were gleaned from others. I have now forgotten who, so if you see something that belonged to you please feel free to take credit in the comments.

In the message, I mentioned that this is what I would say if I could talk to Will and Kate about marriage. After the sermon, someone suggested that we send them a CD. Someone else said, why not post your thoughts on your blog and maybe it will get to them.

The chances of that happening are probably about as good as our having to cancel PTC the third week of July because of a blizzard in North Texas. However, perhaps someone will read this and it may help their marriage, or they may be able to share it with someone else.

According to some estimates, more than two billion people watched Will & Kate’s Royal Wedding. All of these interested viewers wish for them many years of joy and happiness. While I did not watch (did see a few highlights on the news), I have learned some very interesting and very encouraging facts about the big wedding.

God’s Name was spoken numerous times during the wedding and each time with great reverence. Not in the usual way it is heard on TV associated with cursing or using our Father’s Name in vain.

Prayers were offered with no one shouting about separation of church and state. No one said his or her rights were violated and not one word about a lawsuit!

God’s Divine plan for the family was honored. One man and one woman were married just as God designed it to be from the beginning of time (Genesis 1:21-24).

Oh, and one other thing. The Word of God was read on television to viewers all over the world. Somewhere around 30% of the worlds population heard God’s Word clearly read. There was no minimizing the Word and no one clamoring for equal time from other so-called “holy books.”

The reading that was selected for the Royal Wedding was Paul’s letter to the Romans. My thought is that if Will and Kate, as well as every newly married couple, followed the teaching of Romans 12 they would enjoy a “Royal Marriage!” So let’s think about just a few of the great principles found in Romans 12 that could help Will & Kate, as well as all of us, have royal marriages.

Give Yourself to the Lord First

Paul begins by telling us that we should present ourselves as a holy sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). In any marriage if we give ourselves to the Lord first we will be more committed to one another.

Love Without Hypocrisy (Romans 12:9)

This kind of love means we will be real, authentic, and genuine.  There will be no pretending, no hiding behind masks, no posturing for personal gain. Our love will for one another will mode the kind of love we see in Jesus (Ephesians 5:22-33). When we understand and appreciate how merciful God has been toward us we will show that same mercy to those we love.

Be Committed to One Another for Life

Paul’s words here are that we are to “be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:10). Our love for one another should grow as we grow old together. God’s plan is that we should “become one.” (Genesis 2:24). We should work to stay together until death parts us.

Think More of Our Spouse Than We Do of Ourselves

“Give preference to one another in honor” (Romans 12:10). Jesus exemplified the ultimate meaning of this verse by making Himself lower than the angels to die for each of us (Philippians 2:5-8).

A husband honors his wife by loving her more than he does himself and by sacrificing for her the way Christ sacrificed for us (Ephesians 5: 23,25, 28). A wife honors her husband by submitting to his spiritual headship just as the church is subject to Christ (Ephesians 5:22-23).

Return Good for Evil

In the chapter read to the world during the Royal Wedding, Paul makes it clear that we should not treat others badly even if we have been treated badly. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14). "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone” (Romans 12:17). "If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18). "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). Once again, Jesus is our great example for how we can live this way (1 Peter 2:21-24).

Live Life in Christ

A couple can best enjoy a Royal Marriage when both husband and wife are in Christ. What Paul says about the church can also be true in a marriage. “Just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:4-5).

True union with Christ (Romans 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21) will bring the greatest union in our marriages. This is true because that is where the mercy that we all need so badly is found. When we are “in Christ” we will show that mercy to one another in our marriages and we will all enjoy Royal Marriages!

Dear Father, we pray that Will & Kate can come to know Jesus so that their marriage will be Royal. We pray that all of us will follow the teaching of Romans 12 so that we can enjoy Royal Marriages. Dear Father, help us to give ourselves to You, to love one another without hypocrisy, to be committed to one another for life, to think more of others than we think of ourselves, and to always return good for evil. In the Name of our Savior we pray, Amen.