A Picture of Marriage

and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:2

I’ll admit that I am a sucker for a sweet love story. I like romantic novels and even movies. Yes, I’ve enjoyed my fair share of Nicholas Sparks’ books! I find myself immersed in these stories of love. As humans we are designed to love, and that’s why we are so transfixed by the thought of love and the emotions that go along.

God in his great wisdom used marriage to teach us about himself. He knows us so well; He created us. He used what we can wrap our minds around to teach us about something we have more difficulty understanding. God designed us to love, and love one another deeply. The marriage relationship is the first human relationship that God ordained. God created man and woman to be life partners.  

If God created us to love as He loved, we must understand that this love involves sacrifice. We have all heard it said that love is a verb, right? Love is action, but more than that, it is a daily decision. In order for relationships to be successful, there must be a constant commitment to desire what is best for your spouse. This includes setting aside selfish desires for the sake of your other half. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (Eph. 5:25). Christ gave himself up. How willing are we to do this for our spouse?

The greatest love story of all is the God of the Universe sacrificing His Son for each one of us. Jesus paid it all to bridge the gap between a Perfect God and His people. If marriage is a God-ordained symbol of love, then we must be willing to sacrifice our selfish desires in order to walk out His love in our marriages. He deserves our best, and allowing the Lord to love through us in our marriages will give Him the Glory He deserves.

Thank you, Father, for your picture of marriage. Help us to put aside self so that we can glorify you.

Julie