Differences disciple

He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female… Matthew 19:4 (NKJV)

Men and women are inherently different. God made them that way. And when it comes to the institution of marriage, we understand it's going to be defined by these differences. There's just no way around it.

But did you ever stop to wonder why? Why did God decide to make men and women so dramatically different? We can answer this question with one word: discipleship. The differences that define men and women—and marriage—have an unprecedented power to disciple people.

Think about it: Discipleship, the act of becoming more like Jesus, is all about change. It's the process in which we are transformed from the person we were when we first encountered Christ into a person who accurately reflects His image. It's a lifelong journey of change. However, this change only happens as we're challenged…and the challenge of working through our differences in the arena of marriage is unparalleled.

Unconditional love takes on a whole new meaning in marriage, especially as you encounter the differences in your spouse that rub you the wrong way. Sacrifice goes from being something you talk about before marriage to something you do on a daily basis within a marriage relationship. "Dynamic differences" disciple us in a way that nothing else can. It can change not just what we do but who we are…and there's a big difference between the two.

God knew what He was doing when He made them male and female. He was setting up a system that would produce the kind of conversion in our character that would ultimately make us more like Him. We can resist or receive this reality, but one thing is certain: Those who see their spouse's differences as an opportunity for their own discipleship will grow in godliness.

Think about it… 

What does this passage reveal to me about God? 
What does this passage reveal to me about myself? 
Based on this, what changes do I need to make? 
What is my prayer for today?  

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