Navigating the Journey to Marital Intimacy

The journey to marital intimacy is navigated by 4 guiding stars which give us Biblical direction. The 1st is the doctrine of God. The married couple is to image the very being of God: plurality in unity. The intimacy of marriage is likened to the intimacy which Jesus knows with the Father - a profound, mysterious union. The 2nd guiding light is the doctrine of creation. The "one flesh" union is to be defined in terms of God's purposes in creation. The 3rd star is the doctrine of the fall into death. Death is not annihilation, but separation. Sin effects separation in the marriage union. If we would be intimate, we must know what threatens intimacy: our sin. The 4th star is the doctrine of redemption. Our marriages are to showcase the gospel & display Christ's love for His bride, the church. His love sactifies the church & will bring her into the consummated state of glory. What an immense & wonderous context for the cultivation of intimacy in marriage! For the praise of the Triune God, in fulfillment of the Creator's purposes, in triumph over sin & the hope of eternal glory, let us navigate the journey to marital intimacy!