September 6, 2022
What “I DO” Really means?
Recently I was talking with someone when my wife called me and asked me to do something. Of course, I said “I will” to what she asked me to do. The person that I was talking to made the comment, “You know that when you say ‘I do’ it really means ‘I will’” I got to thinking about what does, “I do” really mean?
When a man and woman get married and they say “I do”. It has a deep commitment that goes far beyond just saying a part of the wedding vows. In the wedding ceremony that I usually use it says, “Do you (Groom’s name) agree to take this woman, to be thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s holy ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her, so long as you both shall live or until Christ returns?” I then say the same thing to the bride and I ask then to respond with an answer of “I do”
When a person takes these vows and says “I do” they are making a life time commitment to their mate. Here is what they are (Or should be) really saying.
I DO – Promise to love, honor, cherish, protect, adore, be loyal to, and keep you as long as we both shall live. There are a whole lot of “I do’s and I will’s” that go along with this commitment. I do plan to do everything in my power to make your life the best that it can be as I love you with a selfless love.
But there are also a lot of “I DO NOT’S” that should be considered. I DO NOT plan to abandon, abuse, disrespect, neglect, dishonor you, embarrass, or harm you in any way. I do not plan to be selfish, rude, arrogant, or condescending to you. I do not plan to make you life with me a living Hell.
One way to understand this better is to consider the Christians (The church) is called the “Bride of Christ” and Jesus loves us with this unconditional deep love that I described above. His lists of “I do’s and I do not’s” in His love for us are far greater than anything we as humans can understand. His love for us is deeper than the ocean and vaster than the universe. He showed HIs ultimate love by dying for us to take away our sins.
So, people who are engaged, and married take your vows seriously. Love your mate the way that Christ love us. Maybe you need to renew your vows and once again commit yourself to love your mate like never before. When you say “I do” this time it is with a better understanding of the “I wills and the I will not’s”
In love with Jesus – Gary Mimbs