06 Marriage Devotional: Your Marriage Needs The Power Of Reconciliation

Show notes

About This Episode Sin creates distance in every relationship, and marriage is no exception. In this devotional, we explore the meaning and power of reconciliation, starting with three definitions of the word and how the gospel fulfills each one. We talk about the difference between forgiveness, which one person can offer, and reconciliation, which takes two people and real repentance, and why forgiveness alone doesn't always restore closeness. Through the parable of the unforgiving servant, we remember how much we have been forgiven, and we encourage couples to be ambassadors of reconciliation in their own homes: to communicate honestly, give rebuilding trust the time it needs, and race each other to be the first to repent.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode What reconciliation means — restoring a relationship, reconciling opposing views and cancelling a debt The gospel of reconciliation — how Christ fulfills all three How sin creates distance — and why it must be addressed with humility and truth Forgiveness vs. reconciliation — one person can forgive, but reconciliation takes two Repentance — the step that makes restoration possible The unforgiving servant — what Matthew 18 teaches about our unpayable debt Ambassadors of reconciliation — showing the power of Christ in our marriages Race to repent — why couples should compete to apologize first

Scripture Referenced Matthew 18 — the parable of the unforgiving servant Romans 5:10 — reconciled to God by the death of His Son Matthew 5:24 — first be reconciled to your brother Colossians 3:13 — as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive

Resources from This Episode Join in on our devotional series and get your copies of Husband After God and Wife After God Shop Marriage After God Full show notes and blog post

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