"Marriage"

  It concerns me how many in Christ Jesus are dealing with failing marriages. Does it you? I get a lot of calls and do a lot of counseling regarding to marriage. It's not all bad but there is a lot that is bad. People need help and direction. What is concerning is why do those who profess Christ wait until they are at wits end to deal with it? If we are faithful to Jesus, should we not be dealing with problems before they take our souls down into the pit?

  The marriage relationship is the same as the relationship between us and Christ (Eph. 5). I'm using "us" as the church. The way Christ treats us and we treat Christ is the standard which we use. For the husband, Jesus is the head. Immediately the husband rises up and starts demanding his way because he is the head of the home. But then it is ignored that Christ gave Himself for us, cleansing us and presenting us as holy and blameless. Husbands are to give themselves to their wives, making certain they stay pure and holy by aiming the relationship to the Lord!! That's what the head does, it directs not dictates. If the husband isn't holding to his part as Christ would expect, the home will slowly sink into things that aren't holy and blameless. That's a great responsibility placed on the husband from heaven.

  The wife is fulfilling her purpose by an attitude of a willingness to be led upward. It's called submission. She knows her husband has her best interest at heart as he walks faithfully with the Lord and she wants to be led upward. But what about that husband who cares nothing for leading the home upward, who is cruel with words and uncaring attitudes? Does the wife quit? She wants to! But the godly wife knows her relationship with the Lord is her life. She can grow and move upward because of Christ. The result is her behavior is loving and respectful. As the husband is displeasing to the Lord, she wants to be pleasing. Her behavior has reaping benefits. The Lord said it would (I Pet. 3:1-2).

  How are you dealing in your marriage? As a husband, are you leading the home upward or downward? As a wife, are you reaching for Christ or pushing Him away? It doesn't take much to see that when the home is struggling and in some cases, shambles, someone or both have moved from the Lord's intentions. You want a happy marriage? A fulfilling marriage? Where's Christ?