Malachi 2:10-16, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a - Listen to this message now in Real Audio or download as MP3

Don't forget the safety valve.

When I was a boy mum used to like cooking meals in a pressure cooker. I was petrified of the thing because it had the potential of covering the ceiling with my dinner. It never did blow up; it had a safety valve that would release any excess pressure. When a couple get married they become one but not without difficulty and pressure. God has given married couples a safety valve so that their marriage doesn’t blow up. The safety valve that has been put in place is love that works out practically in the following ways. “Love covers a multitude of sins” 1 Pet 4:8 so that not every annoyance and offence has to be dealt with but is forgiven by love. When love can’t cover a sin then God has worked into the safety valve forgiveness. So if you have been hurt then you approach the one you love so that they can ask for forgiveness. Forgiveness is a willing act never to recall deliberately an offence to yourself, to the offender or anyone else. This is important because otherwise the pressure of hurts will only build up to an unbearable level until the relationship blows up. Don’t allow your marriage to be like a pressure cooker, install the safety valve of love and forgiveness.