My wife and I have been married a long time, and just like other marriages, we have had our ups and downs. But, by the grace of God; and shear will and determination, we have held onto our love for each other. As friends first, we decided long ago that we wanted to go down life's road together. It appears that marriages that do survive are built from being friends first. The statistics are alarming; about 40% of marriages end in divorce, and this statistic is as prevalent among Christians as it is in secular society. Now there are a lot of reasons for this; financial, infidelity, unpreparedness, expectations, etc. All of these are long term responsibilities. When we first see a person it is the physical attraction that captures our attention. And, when we first get together with another person we are like a kid with a new toy. Once the newness wears off we lose interest. Again, we are like a kid with a pet. We want all of the fun parts and none of the parts that need us to invest time and work to make good things happen and last. When the going gets tough, we fall out. We're looking at marriage based on the "hot" beginning and not the reality of a lifetime of work, of nurturing, of feeding it. Now with all of the distractions, the temptations, the anti-marriage enticements that exist in society, it is difficult to stand strong in the commitment that was made, but a commitment was made to each other, and this covenant was made before God! [By the way, did you know that the only relationships that represent a covenant is our relationship with God, and our relationship in a holy marriage sanctioned by God; also God created marriage to show that two people from different walks of life could live together in harmony!] When a man and woman get married, they have become a union of one.
Matthew 19:4-6
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Now, let's look at two of the main reasons for marital strife, stress and divorce - money and infidelity (adultery/cheating). [By the way, did you know that, and I'm paraphrasing, the Bible says that when you look with lust at another human being that you have already committed adultery? Money is not the root of all evil. It is the love of money that is evil. It is not a sin to have it, it is what one does with it that counts.]
Hebrews 13:4, 5
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
The bottom line is this, if we want to have a successful, happy, joyous marriage, let God be in charge and in control of our marriages, and all other areas of our lives. Read His Word daily in order to know the dos and the don'ts, and to stay on the right track.
Ephesians 5:22, 25
"Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her," (Amplified)
“A man doesn’t own his marriage; he is only the steward of his wife’s love.” ~ Edwin Louis Cole (Ed Cole)
Matthew 19:4-6
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."
Now, let's look at two of the main reasons for marital strife, stress and divorce - money and infidelity (adultery/cheating). [By the way, did you know that, and I'm paraphrasing, the Bible says that when you look with lust at another human being that you have already committed adultery? Money is not the root of all evil. It is the love of money that is evil. It is not a sin to have it, it is what one does with it that counts.]
Hebrews 13:4, 5
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
The bottom line is this, if we want to have a successful, happy, joyous marriage, let God be in charge and in control of our marriages, and all other areas of our lives. Read His Word daily in order to know the dos and the don'ts, and to stay on the right track.
"Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her," (Amplified)
“A man doesn’t own his marriage; he is only the steward of his wife’s love.” ~ Edwin Louis Cole (Ed Cole)
