Four Essentials to Secure the Foundation of our Marriages
Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
1. A Common Desire
In our marriage relationships, we must ensure that our desires remain the same. Common desires mean striving after the same goals. In every marriage, there should exist a time and place to sit down and share your hearts desires with one another. Make time to share your love for each other and your family.
In our relationship with Christ, the Bible tells us to share our hearts desires with Him; this same principle applies to the husband and wife relationship. The Bible commands the man to dwell with his wife according to knowledge. The husband bares the responsibility of sitting down and discovering what his wife desires to become.
In the marriage, we need to share a partnership with each other while uniting under common desires. The more children in the family, the more important this time becomes. As husband and wife, you must partner with each other in child rearing, making sure you both know what goals exist behind the training of your children.
When the children, leave you will still be together; therefore, never let your children come between you and your spouse. Do not allow them to ruin your marriage.
The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:18, And the LORD God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Husbands, be sure to remember that as much as she is there for you, you are to be there for her in the same way and more. Wives, you should help your husband to reach his potential for God, at home and at his place of work. Husbands, you should assume the position of spiritual leadership. You need to guide her so that she can become all that she can for God and the family.
2. A Common Appreciation
Genesis 2:21-23 says, And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Appreciation reveals a sign of a healthy marriage. Always letting your spouse know how much she means to you is paramount. You must continually reflect on all the wonderful things she does for you and the family.
How do you show your appreciation for your wife? Start by simply telling her, but continue in prayer for her and reminding God how wonderful she is. Express to God your gratitude for his wonderful wisdom in finding your helpmate. Wives, this goes both ways. When praying with your children at night, while your husband lies in bed or sits on the couch, let him hear you pray and thank God for all he does for you and your family.
These times of prayer help your children appreciate mom and dad, and speak volumes to your children that mommy and daddy are deeply and happily in love. My mother, Mrs. Alice Smith, always emphasized this truth, The greatest thing that you can do for your children is love your spouse and show it.
3. A Common Commitment
The Bible tells us in Genesis 2:24, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. In every marriage, the husband and wife must leave their fathers and mothers for each other; both must cleave unto one another in all matters of relationship. Too many times husbands or wives will neglect the whole matter of leaving and cleaving and will try to live both lives. God commanded us to leave and commit ourselves to one another. When one commits himself or herself to someone they simply say, I trust you. This in return speaks volumes to the other spouse.
In Ephesians 5:21-33 we find a description of how Christ loves the church, and how He willingly laid down his own life for the church. No one can separate Christ’s love from the church.
If we love like Christ loves His church, Romans 8:35-39 should describe our marriage. It states, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Our commitment to one another should be so strong, and our roots of love should grow so deep; however strong the winds may blow and hard the rain may fall, we will not separate one from another.
4. A Common Conviction
We must share a passion for Christ, the cause of Christ and the Church of Christ. The Scriptures say in Psalm 127:1, Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Husband and wife, you must get on the same page: for the sake of your marriage, your children, your church and your nation. We have heard the phrase before, Our family will only be as strong as the marriage; the church will only be as strong as the family; and the nation will only be as strong as the church. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Christ must reside in the center of your relationship! Christ must exist as the foundation for which you build your marriage upon. Christ must be the Cornerstone of your life; both husband and wife must decide to never seek a replacement for Christ. Do not use your spouse to replace Christ in your life.
If we will learn to love each other like Christ loves the church, in the end we will reach the goal!
Written by Marvin Smith, Jr.
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