"Little Bit of Both"

"Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his bed chambers:" (S.O.S. 1:4a)

  It isn't too hard to be distracted by the romantic nature that is being portrayed here; we are first and foremost drawn to those things that will tend to lead in that direction, some more than others. But, if you really want to look hard for the spiritual connection, then you are going to find that there is some kind of a connection between, "Me" and "We."
  As is a custom in most Christian Weddings, there is a part of the ceremony where the man and wife take their candles and together they will light the center candle, which represents Jesus Christ. In a round-about way, this custom has evolved into making it more about the two becoming one; which in and of itself is not a bad thing, but if you are looking for security in the marriage, Christ must be at the center, first and foremost!
 Interesting enough, I heard a little message yesterday from Pastor Jon; which at first I thought it a little strange, but the more I thought of it, the more it seemed to open up into something very familiar. He was showing a connection between the blood and water that came from the side of Jesus when His side was pierced, to that of the blood and water that is associated with a woman giving birth to a child. The idea was that of Christ creating a bride, birthing a bide from His side, must the same as when God created a bride for Adam from his side, by removing a rib.
  I know it might be a stretch, but there is absolutely a spiritual connection; because we have been given, if you will, a Help-meet, which is the Holy Spirit which lives inside to provide us the strength to do that which we cannot do on our own. Much the same as the oneness expressed in the lighting of the candle, this spiritual connection is one in the same: there are both aspects that must be lived out, the one of being united in Christ, and the one of being united as one!
  Paul tries to illustrate this principle in several different ways; crucifying the flesh, being set free from bondage, and being free to marry again; all of which are the result of new life. In other words, we have been given a new way to run...

"When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in a God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin."" (Romans 4:4-8) NLT