Marriage and the Maker

Have you ever stopped to consider what makes a marriage successful? Why are some marriages more dynamic than others? Some naturally testify of God’s love, illustrating the importance of a marriage with Christ at the center. Others struggle along, appearing to be in danger of falling apart at any moment. What are the keys to making marriage work? That’s a million dollar question! Certainly the most important factor is keeping Jesus at the heart of the marriage. But assuming this is in place, what are the other keys you would list? My list includes trust, communication, loyalty, honesty, shared interests and goals, spending time together and intimacy. Does your list look similar?

Marriage is used throughout the scriptures as a symbol of the relationship between Christ and the church. Isaiah 54:5 states, “For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts.” John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the bridegroom in John 3:29, and Jesus identified himself as the bridegroom in Matt. 9:15. Jesus is the bridegroom, and the church is His bride. There is an old Sunday School song that says, “I am the church, you are the church, we are the church together.” Since each disciple of Christ is a part of Christ’s holy church, each of us has been chosen as a bride for our Lord.

While the complete marriage of the Lamb to His church is yet to occur as described in Revelation, for now we walk in a spiritual marriage with Christ if we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior. How healthy is your marriage to Him? How would you rate your levels of trust in Him, communication with Him, and loyalty to Him? How about your honesty, shared interests and goals, time spent together and loving intimacy? If we are to have a successful marriage to Christ while living in our flesh, and effectively join Him in His work and ministry, we must attend to these important factors. It is only by concerning ourselves with the health of our relationship with our bridegroom that we allow ourselves to be the most available and effective for His Kingdom.

Some who have been married for a time will pause on an anniversary to restate their vows, rededicate their love and recommit their lives to one another. Could it be time to celebrate your anniversary with your Lord and Savior and renew your relationship to your beloved bridegroom?