God’s Blueprint for Life: Marriage, Salvation, and Following Jesus

Summary

This article draws from the Gospel of Mark 10 to show that life works best when lived by God’s design. Marriage thrives through self-sacrificial commitment, not convenience. Salvation is a gift received with childlike trust, not earned by effort. Following Jesus requires surrender and reordered priorities. Though costly, true discipleship leads to lasting oneness with Christ and others, while refusing to follow Him costs far more.

God's Blueprint for Life

When all else fails, read the directions! It is sometimes better to have little mechanical ability and instructions than a lot of ability and no instructions.

Life goes more easily when you follow the manufacturer’s design. Similarly, life goes best when you follow God’s blueprint.

God’s Design for Marriage: Oneness Through Commitment

God’s design for marriage is unity. While Jesus was in Perea, some Pharisees asked Him about divorce.

At that time, most Jews agreed that divorce was allowed. Some believed a man could divorce his wife only for moral indecency. Others allowed divorce if she displeased her husband.

Jesus did not align Himself with either. He said, “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Mark 10:9 NIV).

The key to oneness is commitment. Hollywood tells you to marry the one you love. God tells you to love self-sacrificially the one you marry. That commitment makes a significant difference in marriage.

Marriage Struggles as God’s Shaping Tool

We can view marriage’s struggles in at least two ways. They can be an excuse to separate or divorce, or an instrument to create the oneness that is God’s design. However, there is no easy way to obtain it.

Entering the Kingdom Like a Child

Mark 10:13-31 reveals God’s design for salvation. People took their young children to Jesus to receive His blessing. The disciples tried to keep them away.

They did not think children were worthy of Jesus’ time. Their attitude angered Him. He wanted the children to come to Him “for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14, NIV).

Salvation: Trusting, Not Trying

Children depend on the gifts and care of others—without apology. You must enter God’s kingdom with that same spirit. Salvation is God’s gift—reserved for the trusting, not the trying.

 

The Cost and Value of Following Jesus

Salvation is unearned and costly (Mark 10:17–31). A man ran up to Jesus and knelt at His feet. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17, NIV). His was a religion of trying.

Jesus told him to keep the commandments given by Moses. The man replied that he had an A+ average in commandment keeping. Yet, he had no assurance of God’s acceptance.

That is always the outcome if you seek to earn God’s favor by your virtue. That virtue is always inadequate. Are you confident that God accepts you? Why?

Jesus’ response: “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21, NIV).

The young man went away sad and disappointed. He could not part with his possessions.

The issue was what was first in his life. In Mark 10:17, he asked what to do. Jesus’ answer is not so much “Sell all” as it is “Follow Me.”

Following Jesus means denying yourself and taking up the cross. That is costly!

Today, many peddle a gospel that does not include a commitment to follow Jesus. Surrender to Jesus is the narrow passage that leads to life. Salvation is oneness with Jesus and other believers.

You cannot follow Jesus with your idols rattling along behind you. Following Him costs a lot. It costs far more not to follow Him.   

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