I Do

The two words in the title say it all.  Though simple in appearance and lacking syllables, they represent a total commitment of oneself to another.  It is a pledge of honor to accomplish a certain thing.  These words embody the fullness of a promise to fulfill a service or favor.  This short phrase exemplifies a vow; giving one’s word.

I declared these words to my wife, as did she to me, when we committed ourselves to each other in marriage.  Our two-way agreement was made with unconditional love for one another.  Three letters make up the words I do; two words that are powerful when spoken to someone. 

When Jesus was crucified and endured the cross unto death, in essence, He was saying, “I do” when He declared with a loud voice, “It is finished!”  The plan of salvation was completed when He bowed His head and breathed a final breath on behalf of mankind.

To bring it closer to home, Jesus’ “I do” was to you and me.  It was His pledge of honor and a promise to be our Savior and Lord; totality committed to us.  But we must promise to dedicate ourselves to Him in order to realize the full benefit of God’s love.  It becomes a two-way vow to each other if we say the words “I do” to Him.

Notice another small, inconspicuous word in the above paragraph—if.  Two letters, but all of life hinges on this tiny word.  If a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then and only then will the words “I do” have lasting meaning.  By keeping God’s commands we remain faithful to Him and abide in His love forever.

When I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1969, I made a commitment to honor, love and obey Him all the days of my life.  But His commitment to me extends through eternity beyond this present life and the grave.  His promise is forever settled in the heavens; a lasting bond, because of the blood He shed.  It is a love bond between the two of us. 

When I was a young boy I thought it was important to become blood brothers with my best friend.  This act of friendship meant that we needed to strap our index fingers together for a short time after displaying a drop of blood by means of a puncture or lesion.

This demonstration of commitment assured us that we were truly bonded to each other and that nothing would ever come between our friendships.  It was a ‘forever’ commitment.  We were now blood brothers, because of the blood. 

I thank Jesus for the friendship we share and the blood that He shed on Calvary so that I might have joy in Him.  What greater love is there than a person laying down their life for a friend?

(John 15:9-14), “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”  vs.10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”  vs.11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”  vs.12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  vs.13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  vs.14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

Jesus willingly shed His blood and died, because He considered us a friend worth dying for.  Through this act of love, God counted us worthy to become His sons and daughters, not because of our own righteousness, but because of His dear Son and the price He paid for the “I do” relationship.

Just as I said these words to my bride many years ago, the Lord is saying “I do” to us today—His bride.  Committed love equals a steadfast relationship.

Written by,

Papa Boyd