What Is Marriage
From God's Perspective?

God created marriage. It was his idea from the beginning. God saw that man was alone and he needed a suitable helper. God designed living creatures male and female so they could propagate the species. But, there was Adam all by himself. So, God created from Adam’s rib, his mate. (Genesis 2:18-23)

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24

The Bible says that the bond of matrimony was designed to be between one man and one woman. They are to have a monogamous relationship that, according to God’s will, can only be severed by death.

The matrimonial relationship is supposed to mirror the relationship Christ has with His church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Wives are to submit to (to yield to) their husbands just like the church is supposed to submit to Christ. Husbands are to love their wives in the same sacrificial, unselfish way that Christ loves the church.

It is when this warning is ignored that our families open the door to strife. Of particular concern, is when the husband takes the role of headship to far and ends up abusing his wife verbally, emotionally, spiritually and possibly even physically.

What happens when the church rebels against Christ’s Lordship or when the church decides it is going to control Christ? What would happen if Christ decided to be selfish and withhold his love and protection from us? I am not so sure I would want to live in such a world. Would you?

You can expect similar hardship, strife and anguish as a rebellious church body would experience if you as the wife behave likewise. When a wife rebels against her husband or tries to control him and/or when a husband is selfish and withholds love and protection from his wife they are out of sync with God's will for their marriage.

The foundation of a marriage is love. It's not the butterfly in your stomach, sweaty palms kind of love that quickly fades but true, lasting, sacrificial love. God is love. In order to truly love others, you must first know God’s love.

How can you love someone if you don’t know love yourself?

Now there is the million dollar question. I spent most of the time in my life and relationships looking out for number 1 - me. Even though in my head, I knew God loved me, I really could not wrap my head around how knowing His love had anything to do with my relationship to my husband. What it boils down to is that we cannot truly love someone if we don't have love inside us to give. God is the only one that can fill us with love so we can love others.

It was not until many years after my divorce that I had the opportunity to watch the "Fireproof" movie. Then I understood. It was like a light bulb came on and I finally got it. I finally understood what sacrificial love looks like in a marriage or any other relationship for that matter.

I highly recommend you watch this movie. You will find it a realistic, sometimes funny, sometimes heart wrenching protrayal of one couple's struggle to understand love and marriage. You can also get "The Love Dare", a 40 day devotional that was featured in the movie so you can embark on your own journey of discovering what love really is.

The Bible says marriage is a lifetime commitment terminated by death.
Does it say there are circumstances where it is okay to end a marriage?

Is Your Marriage Similar To or Different From God's Plan for Marriage?

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