Three Strands

MARRIAGE REFLECTS GOD’S LOVE

written by Cindy Jacob Southworth

As the Apostle Paul says, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:31-33 NLT)

Let’s face it - some couples are just like peas and carrots. They’ve been married forever. His face lights up when she enters the room. She watches with adoration as he speaks to an audience of people. What’s the magic in their marriage?

As the Apostle Paul says, God designed marriage to reflect His unconditional love for His precious church. How powerful is that? No other relationship exists on earth that has that kind of impact. A husband is directed to love his wife as Jesus loved us: to sacrifice for her, cherish her, and to wash her with the Word of God. A wife is directed to respect her husband: to honor him, prefer him, and support him in his walk with Christ. They become two good forgivers, supporting each other’s strengths and overlooking a multitude of weaknesses. They work at building oneness, which is a unity of purpose, by praying together, sharing devotions, continuing to date each other, and finding a place to serve together.

Tim Keller writes in The Meaning of Marriage: “If your marriage is strong, even if all the circumstances in your life around you are filled with trouble and weakness, it won’t matter. You will be able to move out into the world in strength. However, if your marriage is weak, even if all the circumstances in your life are marked by success and strength, it will not matter. You will move out into the world in weakness. Marriage has that kind of power – the power to set the course of your whole life - because it was instituted by God. Because it has that unequaled power, it must have an unequaled supreme priority.”

Except for our relationship with God, which deserves our highest priority, the marriage between husband and wife should take priority over any other relationship. It takes time and energy to cultivate a deep friendship and a spiritual oneness with each other. However, it is this relationship that reflects Christ’s unconditional love for His people, so it needs that kind of priority.

If you have children, you are their role models for marriage. When they watch you two together, do they see unconditional love? Maybe it’s time to sit down with your spouse and talk about the various ways you are modeling this kind of love for each other. Make any changes necessary so that your spouse knows they are first in your life. Purpose in your heart to encourage your spouse as they pursue holiness. As each of you pursues Christ, you will naturally draw closer together. That’s the mystery of marriage.

¹ The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller and Kathy Keller, Published 2011 by Penguin Group, Inc