What You Value Is What You'll Have [Holiness] - Part 7

Holiness may sound too rigid and perhaps even boring to most of us. But in reality, this is precisely what will make marriage more enjoyable. A person who is holy means "blameless". The Bible does not describe a holy person as someone who is religious and detached from reality, but rather as someone oriented toward reality. Just as God is holy, He is in fact the most ultimate reality. So, if we turn away from holiness, it means we are turning away from the most ultimate reality of life.

A marriage that pursues holiness will experience the following things:

• Each individual will be willing to take ownership and be willing to acknowledge the weaknesses within themselves
• There is an unceasing drive toward growth
• Able to sacrifice things that would hinder the presence of love
• Submit to things that lead to God's truth
• A pure heart and the ability to reject every temptation to intervene in the marriage relationship

An example of this can be seen in the case of Kate and David:

Kate and David went through difficult times in their marriage. Kate finally decided she had had enough of all of David's behavior toward her. David would withdraw emotionally and vent his anger on Kate, while also struggling with alcohol addiction. In the end, Kate threw David out of the house. Kate warned David not to come back unless he could deal with his problems.

Eventually, they met with Dr. Cloud. It did not take long for Dr. Cloud to see that David did indeed have problems within himself where he needed to grow. When he felt threatened, David would become sarcastic and full of anger. In addition, he would turn to alcohol or other pleasures whenever he felt pain. Dr. Cloud gave several pointers so that David could do his part to grow.

David was very eager to change. But Kate and Dr. Cloud could sense David's true motivation. He proudly announced his "victories" in making changes so that he would be allowed back into the house. In the end, Dr. Cloud set a boundary: as long as holiness was not important to David, he could not force Kate to take him back.

David's enthusiasm began to fade, but this was where his true journey began. Dr. Cloud took David's original goal of returning home and replaced it with holiness. Because the main reason for a person's growth should be that he is "hungry for righteousness" - not for a spouse or any human being. When someone is truly hungry for righteousness, he will pursue it with all that he has.

Little by little, David showed change. He began to grow, and this time his growth was directed toward God. David's mission to pursue holiness eventually became greater than his marriage relationship. In the end, David changed not because Kate asked or forced him to, but because of his desire to be right in God's eyes. David finally became someone truly real and alive, so that Kate once again felt attraction and longing for David.

David's commitment to grow better and holier made him someone his wife could trust again. In the end, they were reunited and their marriage relationship went well.

Do not misunderstand holiness as the religious image commonly held by society. By pursuing holiness, you and your spouse are agreeing to become people who can bring love and life to one another. You will be filled to the full because in the process you and your spouse will be transformed into people who are trustworthy, honest, faithful, and loving. These are the kinds of people who are pleasing in God's sight.

*Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to pursue holiness; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Ibrani 12:14)