What Makes Sacrificing for Your Spouse a GOOD Thing?
Serving your spouse is precious to God’s heart. It is what Jesus did the night before His crucifixion. He knelt down and washed the feet of His bride. He served her (John 13:1).
This month at Becoming the One, we’ve been talking about a culture of service, specifically serving your spouse. Serving—or sacrificing for someone else—can be a confusing topic in the body of Christ. Many of us feel forced to serve. We think it defines who we are, when in reality, our identity is much more beautiful than that.
Who You Are in Jesus
The Bible has much to say about who you are in Jesus:
You are holy (Col. 3:12).
You are chosen by God (1 Pet. 2:9).
You are His special possession (1 Pet. 2:9).
You are dearly loved (Col. 3:12).
You are protected from the evil one (2 Thess. 3:3).
You are someone God is pleased with (Matt. 3:17; John 17:22).
You are incredibly wealthy. You have access to everything in God’s storehouse (Luke 15:31).
You are a beautiful new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
You are no slave to sin (Rom. 6:6).
You are free forever from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2).
You are God’s child (John 1:12).
You are seated with Jesus in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).
You are saved “to the uttermost” (Heb. 7:25).
You are covered with God’s armor (Eph. 6:10–17).
You are not powerless. His sword is in your hand (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12).
You are not condemned (Rom. 8:1).
You will never be abandoned (Matt. 28:20).
You are God’s masterpiece (Eph. 2:10).
You have divinely crafted gifts (1 Cor. 12).
You have divinely crafted assignments (Eph. 2:10).
You are not just a “servant.” You are Jesus’ friend (John 15:15).
Your Identity & Serving Your Spouse
Every husband and wife receive a special gift from God: the opportunity to see one another the way He sees them, according to who they really are. This is something only the Holy Spirit can do. Delighting in your spouse and then sacrificing for them with a happy heart is truly possible only when you know who you are in Jesus and how much He loves you.
Serving is not your identity. Instead, Jesus says you are His friend (John 15:15). You are God’s beloved child. That is what makes serving your spouse possible and even joyful. It is not something you are—it is something you get to do.
A Blessing for Your Week
May you know how much you are loved this week! May your sense of identity be firmly rooted in Jesus—the God who loves you and gave Himself up for you, so you could live.
Your heavenly Father loves you more than you realize! For more about His amazing, unending love, check out Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. The book is also available in Spanish.