Solutions February 2018 | Page 17

D. A. and Elicia Horton have
been fighting for their marriage
for over 15 years. D. A. is working
on his PhD in Applied Theology at
Southeastern Baptist Theological
The Goal: Gospel-Saturated
Seminary, and Elicia has master’s
Marriages
degrees in Religious Studies and
We gain spiritual maturity when we
Organizational Development from
have a healthy understanding of the Calvary Theological Seminary. They
gospel. If we want gospel-saturated
teach and serve together at Reach
marriages for ourselves and the body Fellowship, a church plant in North
of Christ, we need to demolish barriers Long Beach, CA, and have been
to oneness. Our Savior expressed
blessed to counsel couples jointly for
ultimate love for us when He willingly
over 10 years.
endured our sin and shame on the
cross. He loves us that much. We
don’t have to work for it. In our own
merit, we can’t earn it. Even when we
still sin, oh how He loves us! As spouses
develop a deeper understanding
of, and appreciation for, God’s love,
they will desire to mature in their love
for God, which will in turn mature their
love for each other.
forgive every single time. He doesn’t
withhold grace. Even if a spouse or
fiancé is struggling with forgiveness,
seek to love unconditionally.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible,
English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News
Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Solutions 17