Is the key to a happy marriage a secret? Well, since marriage was God’s idea, it would be unfair of him to promote the good, strong, healthy, successful union between a man and a woman and not give us the keys to attaining to it.
In Ephesians 5, the Apostle Paul addresses the “mystery” of the marriage union and actually compares it to Christ and His union with us, the church:
21-33 (MSG) Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. 22Wives, understand & support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such [cherishing] leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. 25 25 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. 26 Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does & says is designed to bring the best out of her. And that’s how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor, since they’re already “one” in marriage. No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, 30 since we are part of his body. 31 And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.”
So we learn that love, honor, giving, forgiving, cherishing and serving ONE ANOTHER are the foundational stones to an enduring and lasting marriage.
In Luke 6: Jesus addressing His followers, said, 36 “Try to show as much compassion as your Father does [towards you]. 37 “Never criticize or condemn—or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you.[c] 38 For if you give, [He’s referencing God’s unconditional love, honor, kindness, goodness, patience, forgiveness, etc.] you will get [the same kind]! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.” (TLB)
Verse 38, [Message Translation] says, “Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back, given back with bonus & blessing.
Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets [reaps] generosity.”
Jesus tells us… “Give away your life.” Giving away one’s life is exactly what both parties are doing when they enter the Marriage Covenant. This isn’t a 50/50 commitment; but a 100% commitment from both parties!
The foundational strength of every marriage union is God’s love in action (please read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). When we give our hearts to Christ, spiritually we become one, unified with Him. That is the “mystery” revealed—His nature of love now working in us and through us. We are now able to be what Christ is to us, in our relationships with each other.
So there’s the secret…God’s love willingly exercised each and every day by both parties will keep your marriage union intact, blessed, healthy and strong.
Pastor Michael Bang, Pastor of Faith Family Church
127 N Spring Ave SFSD 57104 (605)336-2227
faithfamilychurch.com