The Bride is Getting Ready: Preparing for Intimacy (Romans 12:1-2)

Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s great mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your reasonable act of worship.

And do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test an approve what God’s will is.

 

The Marriage Metaphor

Old Testament:  Marriage covenant

New Testament:  Betrothal

• A bride price has been paid
• A marriage covenant has been cut
• A deposit has been given
• He has gone to prepare a place for us
• Our job is to get ready for the wedding!

 

Why the Marriage Metaphor?

• Marriage is a covenant relationship—a sacred, unbreakable bond.
• Marriage is a reciprocal love relationship
• Marriage is the most deeply intimate relationship on earth

 

What is God saying about intimacy?

•  My relationship with Him is deeply personal
• My relationship with Him is all- encompassing—spirit, soul, and body

 

Preparing for Intimacy

1. Give Him your whole body

Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s great mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your reasonable act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

Physical Intimacy, Really?!?

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.   This is a profound mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:31-32)

God chose the marriage metaphor precisely because marriage encompasses physical intimacy!

Two Marriage Truths:

“Holy” means that my body is “off limits” to anyone else but my spouse

“Pleasing” means that I love my spouse with my whole self—including my body

Reasonable?

• He gave His whole self for me
• He gave all of Himself to save all of me

You are not your own, you are bought with a price—therefore, honor God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:20)

 

2. Give Him your whole focus

And do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

Re-set Your Mindset: the Romans 1 spiral – the whole world has spiritual ADD

Rethinking what is “reasonable”

Christianity, if untrue, is of no importance.  If true, is of utmost importance.  But what it can never be is of moderate importance. --C.S. Lewis

 

3. Give Him your whole future

Then you will be able to test an approve what God’s will is.  (Romans 12:2)