A few weeks ago, my wife and I were about to watch a movie because it was our date night and we both love to watch movies. So we were looking forward to it all week.

It was a special  night… supposedly.

While preparing to go out, I made a comment, she reacted, and that was the start of a very passionate discussion. (We seldom fight, we usually just discuss things passionately. haha!) It started as a comment, it ended up as an argument. All throughout the night, we had to work out our disagreement; we had to talk it over.

I was mad at her for reacting in a way I did not like but I can remember during that time, I noticed my self speaking to her in a very irrational way. I can remember acting very selfish and prideful. As a result, she was hurt.

It was supposed to be a special night until suddenly it was not anymore. What happened? What was I thinking acting in such a way? And the biggest question in my mind that night was, if I love my wife, why do I find it so easy to treat her like I don’t?

Well, I’m sure that I love my wife—that’s not even remotely in question. But why are there times when it’s just so hard to reflect that?

We have been married for just a few months; things like that should not happen, right? (Of course it will!) But that night was also one of those times when the gospel was pretty clear to me: The reason why those things happen is because I am the biggest sinner I know. 

I am selfish. I am full of pride. I am easily angered. In short, I can relate to the Apostle Paul when he said:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

That time, nothing else was a greater teacher when it comes to the truth of the gospel than marriage. One pastor said that nothing can mature us like marriage. I completely agree with that. Marriage just brings out the worst in us, yet it can also affirm us that, in spite of ourselves, we are fully accepted by our spouse. And isn’t that what the message of the gospel really is?

That yes, I am the worst sinner I know but Jesus is the greatest savior there is. 

I am the worst sinner I know but Jesus is the greatest savior there is. 

Today, my wife and I are celebrating our fourth month of being married, and I know there is so much more to learn. But if marriage really has that potential of reflecting the gospel like no other, then I’m up for it!

Let me leave you with something that I’ve read a few years ago and by the way, my wife and I were still able to watch a movie and it was still a very special night.

“If you are married, or soon to be married, you are discovering that your marriage is not a romance novel. Marriage is the union of two people who arrive toting the luggage of life. And that luggage always contains sin. Often it gets opened right there on the honeymoon, sometimes it waits for the week after. But the suitcases are always there, sometimes tripping their owners, sometimes popping open unexpectedly and disgorging forgotten contents. We must not ignore our sin, because it is the very context where the gospel shines brightest.” ~Dave Harvey