A symbtiotic relationship occurs when two or more different kinds of organisms live together in a very close relationship. A certain type of symbiotic relationship, known as “mutualism”, is one in which the life and vitality of each organism is dependent upon the health of the other. In some symbiotic relationships only one member benefits while the other is harmed. An example of this type of relationship is cancer. Cancerous cells are fed by, and as a result grow, by being attached to a living host, namely our bodies. That is why surgeons want to remove the cancer as quickly as possible, because without its removal the cancer will continue to grow while the body is increasingly harmed.

This is not the case with mutualism. In mutualistic relationships both members of the relationship benefit from being in partnership with the other. One does not flourish to the detriment of the other, rather both flourish by being in partnership, or relationship together. An example of a mutualistic relationship is bees and flowers. Bees depend on the flower for nectar, which is a good source of food and protein for them. The nectar is necessary for their survival. Flowers depend on bees to spread their pollen around, which allows the flowers to reproduce. Without the bees, the flowers would not have as good of a chance to grow and flourish. So in this relationship, both the bees and flowers benefit.

When it comes to marriage, God has designed us to function in a symbiotic relationship, one that is mutualistic, where the partnership between a husband and wife cultivates life and vitality and is mutually beneficial for one another.

In this type of relationship, the questions of which partner is more important, or strongest, or more valuable are irrelevant. What is relevant is the life and vitality of each member in the relationship. It’s not about rank, but responsibility - the responsibility each partner has to be a healthy, motivating, life-giving contributor to the relationship.

Men and women have been created with equality both in creation and in salvation. Genesis 1:27 says, “…God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” This means men and women are equal in their capacity, and responsibility, to be image bearers of God their Creator. Not only that, but in relation to our salvation, 1 Peter 3:7 says to men that women are “…heirs with you of the gracious gift of life.” This means that salvation is not sexist. Men and women are equal in their standing before God in terms of His grace.

Yet, while men and women are created with equality both in their capacity to be image bearers of God and in their ability to graciously receive salvation, they have been uniquely designed to perform different roles and responsibilities within the marriage relationship. The unique roles they play do not mean that one partner is more or less important that the other. It simply means that in the mutual, symbiotic marriage relationship of marriage God has joined us together to live and exist in a more beautiful and life-giving way than we ever could apart.

As we kick-off our new series, “From This Day Forward: A 6-Week Exploration of Marriage“, we will spend the first two weeks laying the foundation of the biblical roles of husbands and wives. The health and vitality of our marriages, and their ability to ultimately glorify God by magnifying and exalting Jesus, is largely dependent us as husbands and wives properly understanding the role God has uniquely designed us to play in our marriages.

I hope to see you there.

Jason

Tags: From This Day Forward, marriage, marriage series, role of husband, role of wife

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at 1:34 pm and is filed under General News and Info.