We believe in the sacredness of marriage. The marriage union in our society is treated casually and is increasingly diluted by cultural standards and laws. In that environment we are seeing Christian couples lose the sense of holy calling and commitment to their own marriage. The resulting effect on homes and families has been devastating. In part, that’s why we are so deeply committed to our calling to Build Your Marriage.
God created the union of one man and one woman with the first couple, Adam and Eve. At God’s presentation of Eve to Adam, Genesis 2:24 records,“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
God didn’t present Adam with multiple wives. He didn’t give him his same gender. God brought them together to be “one flesh.” Their bond was now exclusive to one another.
In the last book of the Old Testament the prophet Malachi uses marriage as an example of God’s relationship with Israel. Malachi said, “Did he not make [husband and wife] one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?” (Malachi 2:15a) Did you catch that? In the midst of the marriage union is the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Let’s look at one more verse on marriage and then draw a few implications for our marriages. In one of his teachings on marriage, Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:6). The union of a man and woman in marriage is holy because the One who binds them together is God (Mt. 19:6), through His Spirit (Mal. 2:15a), in accord with what God initiated with the very first couple.
So what does this mean for our marriages? Here are some declarations each of us should make:
1. I will hold my marriage in the highest regard
God is at the center of our union. Because His Spirit is in our midst, I will strive to speak, think, and act toward my spouse as I would toward God Himself. I will not speak of divorce—even in jest—as that would be to treat lightly what God initiated.
2. I will protect my marriage
There is an all-out assault by the Enemy on marriage. I will be vigilant to guard the union God created. I will protect my marriage from my approval of humor that degrades marriage or my spouse. I refuse counsel from “friends” who don’t value marriage and especially my own marriage. Any images, videos, books, or movies that promote unfaithfulness will have no place in my life so as to remove their influence on my marriage.
3. I will nurture my spouse
My spouse is God’s gift to me as a divine entrustment. I choose to help my spouse reach their fullest, God-given potential. I will encourage and bless them with my words and actions.
4. I will build my marriage
My heart is to learn more about the holy dynamic of husband and wife. I desire to invest myself in learning more about marriage and being the best spouse I can be through the myriad of resources made available to me.
Your marriage matters to God—and it matters to us as well. Be proactive, take the steps to honor your holy matrimony, and build your marriage!