You’ve decided to tie the knot.
Or maybe the knot’s become frayed, and you want a way out.
Maybe you’re the one that’s found a way to stay married, but yours doesn’t follow the rules. You are relieved no one looks deeper than the surface.
Let’s crack the Good Book and see what it has to say about keeping our relationships in good working order.
God’s 1st Take on Marriage:
Paul’s take in Colossians 3:18-19 is well known and often quoted by proponents of strict biblical ideology.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.”
Speakers love to quote the “wives, submit to your husbands” part, but they often leave out the phrase “as is fitting in the Lord” that follows.
Marriage puts us on an equal footing. One spouse does not get all the power.
God’s 2nd Take on Marriage:
1 Peter 3:7 reveals the foundation for a loving relationship, but there’s one thing we need to clarify.
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”
Let’s look at the phrase “as a weaker vessel.” At the time this was written, strength, size, and literal muscle ruled the world.
Women’s strength is in their cooperative nature and forceful determination. They are the equal of any man. We should focus on the next phrase, “they are heirs with you,” instead.
God’s 3rd Take on Marriage:
In the book of Titus, we discover the powerhouse of the marriage union. Let’s look at Verse 2:3-5.
“Older women likewise are to … train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
He who teaches, rules the world. She who instructs her daughters is the master of the household.
Men, respect your wife’s position in your marriage. She is equal to you and deserves your very best. Women, you are more powerful than you know. Take your husband’s hand and walk proudly at his side.
Marriage is a team effort. We succeed when both partners win.
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Code: FGO.I.23.19a.vp.esv