A few years ago, I offered my eighteen-year-old son, Adam, this advice:  ‘Choose your life’s mate carefully.  From this one decision will come 90 percent of all your happiness or misery.’  But after having chosen carefully, I added, the work has just begun.  A successful marriage, like a well-tended garden, takes constant care and loving attention.  But the couple who spends the time to cultivate a joyful marriage and harmonious home discovers it is the best investment they can make.”  (H. Jackson Brown, Jr.  “Life’s Treasure Book on Marriage and Family”)

The Hebrew writer stated, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).  There are two simple truths that are in full agreement with the preceding quote:  (1) Marriage can be a joyful union when it is in accordance to God’s plan.  (2) Those who practice the marriage union unlawfully will answer to such with eternal consequences.

First, marriage is an honorable institution that has been designed by God to bring man great pleasure (Genesis 2:24).  Paul declared, “Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.  Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control” (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).  Solomon wrote, I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me” (Song of Solomon 7:10).

Second, marriage can be successful!  However, it demands work and effort on both involved.  Paul told husbands, “love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  However, he told wives, “let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).  As long as the husband is willing to sacrifice for the well-being of the wife through love and the wife lives in respect of her husband’s decisions without giving him grief, marriage will be successful, honorable and enjoyable.

Thomas Warren once wrote, “It is true that the honeymoon is soon over, and, with the passing of the years, the heat of passion may subside somewhat, but your love will grow deeper and deeper and become more profound and more meaningful as the years go by.  This will come to pass provided you are building true Christian character, and provided your heart is growing in love.  These things must be true of both of you” (Marriage is for those who Love God and One Another, p120).  Those of us who are married or are considering marriage in the future, let’s all strive to have successful, honorable and enjoyable marriages by keeping God as our focus in life and in marriage!     

~By:  Jeremy M. Pierce