Marriage is not a casual arrangement, nor is it a relationship based on fleeting emotions or convenience. It is a covenant, a sacred and holy agreement designed by God from the very beginning.
When I hear someone say, “I don’t think I would ever leave him,” I appreciate the sentiment of loyalty, but I can’t help but wonder if they truly understand the depth of what God intended for marriage. You see, marriage is not just “sticking it out” through the tough times because you feel obligated. Marriage, as God designed it, is about loving with the kind of sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s love for the church. It is a love that is intentional, enduring, and rooted in faithfulness.
In Genesis 2:24, we read that a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. That “cleaving” isn’t a casual or temporary attachment; it’s a bond that is meant to last a lifetime. It’s a sacred joining together of two lives, not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and in every way imaginable. God created marriage to meet the deepest needs of the human heart—needs for companionship, love, and a shared journey of faith.
But let me ask you this: how can a man fulfill his role as a husband if he is not first committed to God? How can a wife be the godly helpmate she is called to be if she hasn’t surrendered her heart and life to the Lord? The truth is, marriages will thrive so much more if both husbands and wives are first fully devoted to God.
The apostle Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16, where he emphasizes that the responsibilities we have in marriage are not just to each other but ultimately to God. The decisions we make, the way we treat our spouse, the love and respect we show—it all flows from our relationship with God.
Husbands, I challenge you to love your wives as Christ loved the church, as Paul commands in Ephesians 5. That means leading your home with humility, protecting your wife, and sacrificing for her good, just as Christ gave Himself up for us. Wives, I challenge you to respect your husbands and to build them up in the Lord, showing them the same love and grace that Christ has shown you. And both of you—husbands and wives—must seek to outdo one another in showing honor, as Romans 12:10 teaches.
If you’ve ever stood before a preacher and exchanged vows, you know that you made promises not only to your spouse but to God Himself. Those vows weren’t just pretty words to fill a ceremony—they were a covenant to be faithful in all circumstances, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts you.
I want to challenge you to revisit those vows. Think about what they mean, not just for your relationship with your spouse, but for your walk with God. Are you putting Him first in your marriage? Are you letting His Word guide your actions, your decisions, and your attitudes?
A strong marriage is built on the foundation of Christ. When both husband and wife are committed to God, they are equipped to face any trial, any hardship, and any challenge that comes their way. They are bound together by something far greater than themselves—a shared faith and a mutual commitment to honor God.
Let’s praise God for the incredible gift of marriage, and let us strive to live out His purpose for it in our lives.
Let’s be the kind of husbands and wives God has called us to be, for His glory and for the good of our families.
Let’s be committed to Him and committed to each other!
For the Lord,
Alex Mills