TOPIC:“The Ruin of a Romance”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Revelation 2:1-7
“Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast
left thy first love” (2:4)
Some time ago, while browsing through a leading national magazine, I came across a bit of shocking information which demanded both my attention and further investigation. As for the shocking information it was this: A well-known Hollywood actress, forty-seven years of age, well versed in signing the divorce papers, six times in all, stated these words to the London Daily Herald: “Marriage and divorce. What are they but scraps of paper. I go as I like and I do as I please.” That's the way many people look at marriage today.
Now for my startling investigation. The divorce rate has risen 700 percent in this country and continues to rise. Now 1 divorce for every 1.8 marriages. One divorce in every 59 seconds. 50% of all teenage marriages end in divorce within 5 years. 60% of all remarriages end in divorce. Now only 1 household in 3 has a complete family - mother, father and children. One parent families are on the increase about 20 times faster than two-parent families. And what troubles me in all of this is that there is presently a steady rise in divorce among the people of God.
To be sure, the day is fast dawning when the judgment of Almighty God is going to fall upon those who have forsaken and forgotten the marriage pledge which was taken under solemn oath. In not conforming to God's standard of morality, they will one day be asked to explain their actions before a holy and righteousness God. I want to say that no other vows taken in life are more binding than those taken in marriage.
But bringing this matter over into the spiritual realm, what about the love affair between you and Christ, the Great Lover of the soul? Let me ask you: Has your romance with Christ continued to grow and glow throughout the passing years? Or has your love faded out of existence until now there is nothing left but the memory of a once splendid experience? It is precisely at this point of spiritual unfaithfulness that we need to be awakened to the reality that one day the Heavenly Bridegroom - Jesus Christ Himself - is coming back to get His Bride, the Church. Then there is going to be a great wedding - the marriage supper of the Lamb. But what type of a marriage is it going to be when the Divine Lover finds that His Bride, made up of Christians of all generations, has permitted the flame of their love to burn out? They have taken off their wedding garment and given their love to another.
Well, I can assure you, we do not have to wait for some future day to see how Christ is . . .