”Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.'” (Revelation 21:1-3, ESV)
These verses beautifully depict marriage as an eternal promise, a holy covenant symbolizing the deep, abiding love between Christ and the Church. But how does this portrayal instruct our earthly marriages? Ephesians 5:25-27 provides the answer, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Just as Christ loves the Church, husbands are called to love their wives with an unwavering, self-sacrificing love.
Mutual Respect: The Foundation of Marriage
Peter, in his first letter (1 Peter 3:7), instructs husbands to live with their wives understandingly and honorably, acknowledging that they, too, are recipients of God’s life-giving grace. This brings in the element of respect and mutual understanding to our earthly marriages.
Marriage: A Divine Favor
Proverbs 18:22 underlines the blessing that a wife brings into a man’s life, stating, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” It is a partnership blessed by God, a relationship that brings favor and goodness.
Christ-centered Marriage
As we ponder on these verses, it becomes clear that marriage isn’t merely about romantic love or shared interests. It’s about selfless love, mutual respect, and shared faith, modeled after Christ’s love for the Church. Let’s strive to embody these principles in our marriages, remembering that our relationship represents a larger spiritual truth, the beautiful relationship between Christ and the Church. Instead of being swayed by the varying depictions of marriage on social media or the latest romantic film, let’s look to the word of God for guidance on how our marriage should be.
Marriage with an Eternal Perspective: Reflecting Heaven on Earth
“Jesus said to them, ‘The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.'” (Luke 20:34-36, NIV)
Earthly Marriage: A Temporary Shadow of the Eternal
While marriage is a sanctified covenant here on Earth, the ultimate relationship we are called to is with God. The apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that the earthly institutions we hold dear will pass away: “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, for the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 7:29,31, NKJV). The essence of Paul’s message here is not to neglect our marital responsibilities but to maintain an eternal perspective, reminding ourselves of the transience of earthly things, including marriage.
God at the Center: The Bedrock of a Successful Marriage
The principle of keeping God at the center of our lives extends to marriage. The book of Ecclesiastes provides us with wisdom about this: “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NIV). The third strand, vital for the strength of a marriage, is God Himself. Our relationship with Him should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our marriages. When God is the foundation, our relationships flourish.
Love for Spouse: A Reflection of God’s Love
Ephesians 5:28-29 emphasizes the importance of cherishing our spouses: “In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.” This love is a reflection of God’s love for us and a model of Christ’s self-sacrificial love for the Church.
Transcending Earthly Marriage
As believers, we must keep an eternal perspective, understanding that our earthly marriages are mere shadows of the perfect union we’ll experience with God in eternity. This realization gives us a clearer vision for our earthly marriages – we are to love our spouses deeply, yet always remembering that our ultimate devotion is to God. As we prioritize our relationship with God, it will inevitably enrich and deepen our relationships with our spouses. We are called to live and love in a way that reflects God’s kingdom here on Earth.
The Bridal Party: Companions for the Spiritual Journey
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.” (Matthew 25:1-4, NLT)
Companionship in the Journey: The Role of the Bridal Party
Our spiritual companions, symbolized by the bridal party in this parable, play a significant role in our walk with God. They’re more than just pals for good times; they’re critical companions on our journey to maintain intimacy with Jesus, sustain a godly family, and foster a thriving marriage.
Wisdom in Choosing Companions
It’s crucial to choose companions who are wise, as exemplified by the five wise bridesmaids in Jesus’ parable. They had their lamps filled with oil, ready for the bridegroom. This signifies our need to surround ourselves with friends who are spiritually prepared and eager to meet Jesus. “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20, NIV). The company we keep influences our spiritual walk; thus, wisdom in choosing companions is paramount.
Companions in Spiritual Battles
Our companions are also there to fight for us in times of spiritual warfare. As Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) reminds us, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” The bridal party symbolizes our spiritual community, a network of believers who intercede and fight for each other in prayer.
Strengthening the Bonds: Companionship Beyond Marriage
Just as the bridal party remains important even after the wedding ceremony, our godly companions remain vital even after we enter into our spiritual “marriage” with Christ. As Proverbs 27:17 (NIV) states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We need friends who can sharpen us, challenge us, and help us grow in our journey with God.
Our Bridal Party’s Stands With Us
In the grandeur of the Kingdom of Heaven, our spiritual companions — our ‘bridal party’ — stand with us, symbolizing the godly friendships we’ve cultivated. These friendships serve as a support system, aiding us in maintaining our intimacy with Jesus, fostering a godly family, and ensuring a thriving marriage. The parable reminds us that wise companions are invaluable, helping us stay prepared and ready to meet our eternal bridegroom, Jesus Christ.
Understanding the Importance of Godly Mentors, Godparents, and Elders in Marriage
The Bible, which is a holy book for Christians, teaches us many things about life. One of the things it teaches is how important it is to have godly mentors, godparents, and elders in our lives. These people are like guides, helping us as we grow in our faith and when we get married. They have lots of wisdom from their own lives that they share with us. They are there to give us advice, help us when things get difficult, and cheer us on when things are going well.
Learning from Wise People
One of the wise things the Bible says is:
“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” – Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)
This means that if we choose to spend time with wise people, we can learn a lot from them. They can help us understand how to make good choices, not just in our everyday lives, but also in our relationships and when we’re married.
Another important message in the Bible is about respecting those who work hard for us and guide us in our faith:
“Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV)
In simple words, it is saying that we should value and respect those people who work hard to guide us in our spiritual journey. We should give them a lot of love and respect because of the hard work they do for us.
The Job of Godparents and Elders
When we get married, godparents and elders play a big role. They can give us lots of advice and support based on their own experiences. They can be our role models and can help us understand how to deal with difficult situations. They can share the wisdom they have gathered from their own lives.
The Bible highlights the importance of this in Titus 2:3-5 (NIV):
“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands so that no one will malign the word of God.”
This means that older women should live their lives in a way that is respectful and good. They should not gossip or drink too much wine, but instead, they should teach what is good. Then, they can help younger women learn to love their husbands and children, be self-controlled and pure, be busy at home, be kind, and listen to their husbands. This way, no one will say bad things about God’s word.
Keep Learning Even After Marriage
Getting married does not mean we stop learning from our mentors. We should keep these relationships strong because they can continue giving us wisdom and advice.
The Bible says in Hebrews 13:7 (NIV):
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
And in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT):
“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”
This means we should remember the teachings of our spiritual leaders and try to live our lives like they do. And we should speak to older men and women with respect, like we would to our own parents. We should talk to younger men like they are our brothers, and we should treat younger women with respect, like we would our sisters.
Last Notes on Spiritual Godparents
Having godly mentors, godparents, and elders in our lives is a blessing from God. They can guide us and give us lots of wisdom as we navigate life and marriage. It’s very important to value them, learn from them, and keep asking for their guidance as we grow in our faith and commitment to each other.
Leaving and Cleaving: Building a New Home in Marriage
One of the most important teachings about marriage in the Bible comes from Genesis 2:24 (NLT):
“This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”
This verse teaches us about ‘leaving and cleaving.’ When we get married, we leave our parents’ home and start a new home with our husband or wife. God sees this new home as different from the one we grew up in. We have a new responsibility now, and God judges us at this new level.
Growing From Spiritual Children to Spiritual Adults
When we get married, we cannot think of ourselves as spiritual children anymore. We become spiritual adults. Marriage isn’t just about spending time with someone we like. It’s about building a godly home and family based on what we know from the Bible.
In the book of Ephesians, the Bible talks about growing up in faith. Ephesians 4:14-15 (NIV) says:
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
This tells us that as we grow in our faith, we should become strong and not be easily fooled. We should speak the truth with love and grow to become mature followers of Christ. This applies to our marriage too.
Building a Godly Home
Building a godly home means living according to God’s teachings in our new family.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
This verse shows us that each family should decide to serve God. This is a choice we should make in our new home with our husband or wife.
Learning From Our Parents and Leaders
When we were children, we learned about God from our parents and leaders. Now that we’re married, we should still respect them and learn from them, but we also need to read and understand the Bible for ourselves.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
This verse teaches us that all of the Bible is from God. It is useful for teaching and training us to do what is right. This includes learning how to have a good and godly marriage.
Marriage is a Big Step
Marriage is a big step. It’s a time when we leave our parents’ home and start a new home with our husband or wife. We need to grow from being spiritual children to spiritual adults. We should aim to build a godly home, based on what the Bible teaches, and not just what we’ve heard from our parents or leaders. And even though we are starting our own family, we should continue to respect and learn from our parents and godly leaders. But most importantly, we should learn directly from the Bible.## Keeping Passion for Each Other and God
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.” (Song of Solomon 8:6-7, NLT)
We have all seen relationships that are dysfunctional because of relational idolatry or losing our First Love with Jesus. This is the same in marriage. When Jesus is no longer first and Lord over our lives we give in to our selfish desires, wants, needs, and ambitions. Pride is always destructive in a relationship, especially in marriage.
Having a fruitful marriage is more than just saying “I love you” every day or doing fun things. It takes time, commitment, sacrifice, and consistency for a marriage to be passionate every day. God desires that our marriages are more than obligations 10 years down the road, he desires that we remain passionately in love with each other, the same way Jesus is passionately in love with Church all the time.
Conclusion: Living Out A Divine Romance
So far we have explored the spiritual significance of marriage from a biblical perspective. We have seen that marriage is not merely a human institution but a sacred covenant that reflects the deep love between Christ and the Church. By understanding the foundational principles outlined in Scripture, we can approach our marriages with a renewed perspective and seek to honor God in our relationships.
As we strive to build Christ-centered marriages, we are called to love our spouses selflessly, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her. Husbands are exhorted to love their wives with sacrificial and sanctifying love, while wives are encouraged to respect and honor their husbands. Mutual respect, understanding, and the recognition of the divine favor bestowed upon the union of marriage form the bedrock of a godly relationship.
Furthermore, we have discussed the importance of maintaining an eternal perspective in our marriages. While earthly marriage is temporary, our ultimate relationship is with God. By keeping God at the center of our lives and marriages, we create a firm foundation that sustains us through the challenges and joys of life. Our love for our spouse becomes a reflection of God’s love for us, and together, we strive to live in a way that reflects God’s kingdom on Earth.
Additionally, we explored the significance of spiritual companionship in our journey of faith. Just as the bridal party plays a vital role in a wedding, our godly companions walk alongside us in our spiritual journey. We are called to choose wise companions who sharpen us, provide support, and fight alongside us in prayer. These friendships go beyond the marital relationship and help us maintain intimacy with Jesus, foster a godly family, and ensure a thriving marriage.
As we conclude, let us remember that the teachings we have explored are not mere theoretical concepts but practical guidance for living out godly relationships. Let us commit to applying these principles in our marriages and relationships, seeking God’s wisdom, strength, and guidance each day. May our marriages be a reflection of Christ’s love for the Church and may we continually grow in our love for God and one another.
Remember, the journey of building a godly relationship is a lifelong endeavor, and we are not alone in this journey. God is with us, providing the grace, wisdom, and strength we need. Let us rely on Him, support one another, and walk together as we seek to honor God in our marriages and relationships.
May God bless each one of us as we live out God’s design for godly relationships.
