31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
31 Days: Marriage Devotionals
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Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate - 31 Days: Marriage Devotionals

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Getting Started

Getting Started

Day 1: The Destructive Power of Harmful Words

Day 1: The Destructive Power of Harmful Words

Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words

Day 2: The Constructive Power of Helpful Words

Day 3: Ceasing Our Harmful Thoughts: Time for Some Brain Surgery

Day 3: Ceasing Our Harmful Thoughts: Time for Some Brain Surgery

Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking

Day 4: Building a New Habit: The Power of Positive Thinking

Day 5: The Unifying Power of Common Experiences

Day 5: The Unifying Power of Common Experiences

Day 6: Key to Preserving Your Marriage: Being Intentional About Your Focus

Day 6: Key to Preserving Your Marriage: Being Intentional About Your Focus

Day 7: Two Pathways to Riches: Have More or Want Less

Day 7: Two Pathways to Riches: Have More or Want Less

Day 8: Working Together in Harmony Produces Beautiful Music

Day 8: Working Together in Harmony Produces Beautiful Music

Day 9: This Honorable Estate

Day 9: This Honorable Estate

Day 10: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 1

Day 10: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 1

Day 11: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 2

Day 11: Other Dimensions of Faithfulness: Part 2

Day 12: Faithfulness: The Foundation of Trust in a Relationship

Day 12: Faithfulness: The Foundation of Trust in a Relationship

Day 13: Be Angry – Yet Do Not Sin

Day 13: Be Angry – Yet Do Not Sin

Day 14: Solve It Before the Sun Sets --- or at Least Before Bedtime

Day 14: Solve It Before the Sun Sets --- or at Least Before Bedtime

Day 15: The Wisdom We Need Is Peaceable

Day 15: The Wisdom We Need Is Peaceable

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle

Day 16: The Wisdom We Need Is Gentle

Day 17: The Wisdom We Need Is Willing to Yield

Day 17: The Wisdom We Need Is Willing to Yield

Day 18: The Wisdom We Need Is Full of Mercy

Day 18: The Wisdom We Need Is Full of Mercy

Day 19: The Wisdom We Need Is Without Hypocrisy

Day 19: The Wisdom We Need Is Without Hypocrisy

Day 20: What? Me Worry? Husbands Edition

Day 20: What? Me Worry? Husbands Edition

Day 21: What? Me Worry? Wives Edition

Day 21: What? Me Worry? Wives Edition

Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other

Day 22: Marriage Builder Tip: Be Patient with Each Other

Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate

Day 23: Marriage Builder Tip: The Beauty of a Clean Slate

Day 24: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Perseverance

Day 24: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Perseverance

Day 25: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Prayerful Hope

Day 25: Marriage Builder Tip: The Power of Prayerful Hope

Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit

Day 26: The Destructive Power of a Restless Spirit

Day 27: The Contagious Power of Relentless Contentment

Day 27: The Contagious Power of Relentless Contentment

Day 28: A Quiet Life: Learning to Guard Your Privacy – and Your Partner’s Privacy

Day 28: A Quiet Life: Learning to Guard Your Privacy – and Your Partner’s Privacy

Day 29: Minding Your Own Business --- What One Young Wife Decides

Day 29: Minding Your Own Business --- What One Young Wife Decides

Day 30: Earn Your Own Living – What Does This Mean to You?

Day 30: Earn Your Own Living – What Does This Mean to You?

Day 31: Winning the Respect of Others --- Your Marriage Matters

Day 31: Winning the Respect of Others --- Your Marriage Matters

Discipleship Place
John ComstockJul 21, 2021 10:04 pm GMT

Scripture Focus: Love . . . keeps no record of wrongs. I Corinthians 13:4

 

If you’re pulled over for speeding in the state of California, you can pay a very large fine and end up with points deducted from your license --- which affects your insurance rate. Or, as another option, you can attend traffic school, pay a small fine, and literally have your record expunged. It’s as if the traffic violation never happened.

 

We know this by hearsay, of course. We also know, via hearsay, that it is possible to attend traffic school on-line. So you can attend traffic school without actually having to get out into the traffic. Great system. Speaking for myself (David) I’m happy to report that I have a clean driving record in the state of California! (No comment on how or why that’s possible.)

 

It is absolutely wonderful when marriage works the same way. Although there have been definite violations on both sides, we decide to “keep no record of wrongs.” Of course we are not recommending --- now or ever --- that someone who is a victim of ongoing violence should remain under the roof of an abuser and “keep no record of it.” We are talking here about normal, healthy, give-and-take marriages in which both parties can and do make mistakes, say stupid things, and generally mess up.

 

Too often we offer each other a cheap forgiveness, in which we cling to the memory of how and when we were offended. We keep that memory alive so that we can bring it up in the midst of a fight and remind our partner of the violation.

 

Paul suggests otherwise. If we’re talking about love, Paul tells us, one aspect of love is that it keeps no record of wrongs. It’s not easily offended in the first place, but when an offense does occur, the offender is quickly forgiven and the record is expunged.

 

For your personal reflection:

  • Are you hanging on to unhelpful memories, keeping alive the hurt feelings or resentments from long ago?
  • Or have you decided to clear the slate, loving your partner and cherishing your spouse for his or her many good qualities?

Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us a clean start when we mess up. Thank You for not holding our previous offenses against us, reminding us of how often we fail. Instead, You offer us a love that wipes away the record of forgiven sins, so that we can become new creations in Christ. Thank You for that kind of love!



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