I was excited when Kelli asked me to write for today’s post on the subject of marriage. Strengthening marriages according to God’s Word is one of my passions. Biblical marriage is such an amazing gift that God has crafted for us by His wisdom and sustains for us by His grace. My hope and prayer is that you would find deep joy and satisfaction in a healthy marriage built upon the foundation of Christ. I wish these words to encourage you to that end.
I don’t know who said it first, but I often repeat, that marriage is a triangular covenant with God. (see the diagram below.) Christ is at the top of the triangle and man and wife on each side. The simple, practical truth is this: as both spouses move closer to Christ, they also move close to each other, and vice versa. Christ is the unifying, deepening, strengthening force in the relationship. Without Him, it is only a bi-lateral agreement that is subject to all human frailty and fickleness. With Him, there’s a three-fold cord that’s not easily broken!
So the overly-simplistic key to a great marriage is this: walk with Jesus. Read His word, follow His ways, and emulate His example. Every issue that could come up in marriage has a Jesus answer. A couple that is building their lives together on the foundation of Christ is on a life-long journey to apply the Gospel in every way on every day. From the words of Jesus, we find the biblical solution to all the little or big obstacles and problems that hinder the three-way covenant.
Here are some examples of Jesus’ answer to every day struggles in many marriages:
1.) Lust. Matthew 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
2.) Conflict. Matthew 5:9; 38-39 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you… If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (See also Eph. 4:32)
3.) Pride. Luke 14:11 “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
4.) Money. Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
5.) Stress/worry. Matthew 6:26-27; 33 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
As you see, Jesus speaks with clarity on real issues and with real divine wisdom. Not a lot of elaboration needed! The unity and health of the marriage relationship is proportional to how we are talking Jesus’ plain teachings and applying them to our lives. The closer we follow hard after Jesus, the better we love and serve our spouse. My prayer for you is that God will draw you into more and more intimacy with Himself through His Son Jesus and at the same time your marriage will be more intimate and satisfying than ever before.
Thanks to my sweet hubby for being incredibly supportive of my blogging.
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About Kelli Hays
Kelli, Will be lifting your husband and your family up in prayer today. What a great guest post, wonderful words and advice for all of us, even those who have a great marriage! Hope you can celebrate this day of love later tonight after the appointment!
Hmmmm. Me thinks we all need to take something away from #5…. read it, then read it one more time, and maybe one more time after that.
~Bliss~
My favorite birthday memory is getting engaged on my 21st birthday!
Bliss, you are so right! 🙂
Wow, that is a great memory! How long have you been married?
Thanks Ange! You are always such an encouragement.