The First Foundation Stone for a Beautiful Christian Marriage
In this lesson we are going to look at the first and most important Biblical teaching for your marriage to triumph – understanding the main purpose for your marriage.
Topic 1 – It’s all about God’s Glory
The main purpose for your marriage and the main reason for you to triumph in your marriage is, for God’s glory. Understanding this first biblical truth is essential, and, if you apply this truth, there is no limit to the love and intimacy in your marriage and nothing will be able to defeat you!
What do we mean when we say your marriage is for God’s Glory?
It means that in everything you do you want to reveal God’s beauty and the loveliness of His ways. You want everyone to see the truth of God through how you love your spouse.
Your marriage should draw people to God by how you love one another.
The first question you should have been asked when preparing for your marriage is, ‘What is the main purpose for your Marriage?’
Did you get the right answer? It’s simple, but very profound, and applies to every area of your life. The main purpose for marriage and for your very life is – God’s glory!
This is fundamental. As Rick Warren said at the start of his best-selling book – The Purpose Driven Life – ‘It’s not about you.’
The universe did not come about by accident, nor did you and nor did your marriage. God designed and empowered every particle for His glory and His eternal plan and purpose.
For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen. Romans 11:36
The first biblical truth on which our marriage has triumphed is – God’s Glory.
Living in a world where we’ve made ourselves the center of attention, it may be a surprise to you that the main reason for your marriage is to glorify God.
You are living for someone greater than yourself. The creator of the universe is the one who created your marriage.
Pause and consider this truth, God wants your marriage to triumph more than you do!
Last week, we mentioned about an encounter Jeannie had with God and this week we want to share a little bit more about this encounter. Before you watch the video, I would like to share the background.
Jeannie nearly died of a broken heart after our precious Alex (17) committed suicide in 2005. For two years, it was like the worst nightmare, when evil and darkness enveloped our marriage and family. Not only were we grieving our son but Jeannie went into grief-stricken depression and became suicidal. Over an eight-year period, Jeannie recovered, especially with the help of our beautiful daughter Rebecca.
And then suddenly, unbelievably, Rebecca (32) drowned in an unimaginable accident in Lake Michigan! Jeannie knew her mother heart could not survive the overwhelming grief of a second child going home to heaven before her.
She was on the brink of ending it all when she had an encounter with God! Watch and listen to the revelation that was placed in Jeannie’s broken mothers heart.
This actually happened – and, on the same day, there were three witnesses who saw the dramatic change that came over Jeannie after her encounter with God.
Did you notice that it was while Jeannie was in the presence of God, that she understood that it’s not about her, but it’s all about God’s glory!
In a later session, we will expose our adversary and his strategy to destroy you and your marriage. We will see that his attack is ultimately against God’s glory. He wants to tarnish God’s glory and one of the best ways he can do that is by spoiling and eventually destroying your marriage. But that is not going to happen because your marriage is going to Triumph.
Topic 2 – What does it mean that your marriage is for God’s glory?
It means that from here on, every thought and every decision is about doing what God wants. It means you will be living to please Him.
And here is the good news:
- First of all, when you put God first, whatever it may cost you, you will always triumph in the end. You can’t fail!
- Second of all, God will give you the love and the strength to do what you need to do, to please Him.
This is how Jesus lived, he said,
“I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38
“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:29
As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to follow Him and how he lived.
Your marriage should be a beautiful picture of how Jesus loves his bride, the Church.
The more triumphant your marriage is, the more it will glorify God. And, it will help to bring in God’s Kingdom on earth, His light driving out the darkness.
EXERCISE:
We have covered the first and most important biblical truth for your marriage to triumph, and so take some time to consider how it might change how you live going forward.
Consider how it might change how you forgive your spouse, communicate with him/her, the intimacy in your marriage and how you resolve conflict.
Write down your thoughts and commitment to live to please God in your marriage. Are you willing to find out what pleases God in your marriage and to put it into practice?
Over the next two lessons, we will discover how God is going to equip you to do His will in your marriage – whatever it may cost you.
With much love,