"A God-Honored Marriage"

  I wished things in marriages were easy. In some ways they are but in others, no. Marriage isn't all sweetness, candlelight dinners and the little sweet-nothings whispered back and forth. At the same time it isn't all tough, leveling things at one another while holding to our side of things refusing to back down in the presence of another. Marriage is work but the work is much smoother if we would center our lives around the Lordship of Christ Jesus. That's easier said than done in the cases of some. We have seen our spiritual leaders display some of the worst examples in marriage and yet they seem to talk endlessly about a Christ-centered marriage. That's complete hypocrisy! 

  Marriage is about a man and a woman loving one another that they don't want to love anyone else in the same way! In that alone is the commitment, the covenant and a willingness to walk before the Lord in this mind-set and devotion. It's that dedication that no matter what comes, you will do anything for the other except leave them. As we hear from the Lord, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." we too need that same heart of devotion toward the Lord which will translate into our marriages. It's that kind of deep commitment we should have in our faith! With that kind of commitment in the covenant of marriage, adultery should never enter the equation. It doesn't in God's mind. God will never leave us to join Himself to another while forgetting His covenant He made with us through Jesus Christ to Himself. We might 'adulterate' by joining up with some false concept or notion that would violate God but He will never do that to us! 

  While there are disagreements with one another those disagreements aren't the grounds to break the covenant. The intellect can say, "I won't commit adultery as that would be wrong." but if the heart is engaged in faith in the Lord their actions will speak, "Adultery is dishonorable and treacherous." You see, adultery is not simply a sexual sin but it is a base betrayal, the betrayal of the Lord Himself and His covenant. Those disagreements should find us loving more to learn to give to the other while thinking less of yourself. That is growing in faith and love.

  Many years ago while speaking with a couple about their marriage, one spouse said plainly and seriously in the presence of the other, "I will never do anything to dishonor my mate and knowingly want to embarrass them!" You should of seen the other smile! What a commitment. What a love that they would not allow any other into this love meant only for one another. Trustworthiness comes to the front. Nurture the relationship. Keep Jesus at the center knowing He will never betray you. Only then can you work together through any situation you might encounter and the good-times will be greater.