Glory opportunities of marriage

When we look up the word “glory” in the dictionary, we find definitions such as, “high renown or honor” as well as, “magnificence or great beauty.” By all definitions provided, glory is a splendid thing. Glory is not mediocre or average. It’s extraordinary.

Well, guess what? You have an opportunity. A glory opportunity. It is the chance—the renowned, honored, magnificent and beautiful chance—to develop a wonderful relationship. Marriage can be all of that, and then some, if we use the Word of God as the cement with which we develop our foundation and the building blocks on which we erect our relationship.

The spiritual factor in this life is the basis around which everything else revolves. It’s the key to the health, wholeness and well-being in every area of our human experience within the institution of marriage. Since God created men and women in His own image (Genesis 1:27), it’s reasonable to conclude that we can never be complete apart from a relationship with Him. As Christians, we are convinced that the most essential of all relationships—our relationship with the Creator—can be sealed and secured in only one way, and that’s through faith in Jesus Christ.

Is this to say that Christian marriages are perfect or that couples who share a strong faith never experience any problems? Of course not. The Word of God is up front about the truth that all of us—believers included—are fallen people living in a fallen world. As such, we will continue to grapple with sin, selfishness and interpersonal conflict until the day we meet the Lord face-to-face. We’re in the process of being made holy, but we have not yet reached the goal. Because of this, we can’t hope to maintain healthy relationships with one another, especially in marriage, unless we’re willing to humble ourselves, confess our faults and seek forgiveness daily. This, too, is an essential part of every couple’s spiritual life.

Does this mean that the marriages of non-Christians are worthless? Certainly not. In our opinion, the notion that marriage is valid only for believers or that it should be viewed only as an ordinance of the church is inconsistent with what Scripture tells us. The Bible teaches us that God established marriage for the good of all humanity “from the beginning of creation.” Marriage was created before the giving of the Law, before the establishment of the Jewish nation and before the institution of the Church.

With or without its spiritual component, marriage is vital to the survival of healthy families, and thus, to human society. But we believe that it can be deepened beyond all human hope when it draws its depth and insight directly from its Creator. We live in a sinful and dark world that seems to be getting darker and more sinful by the second. How individuals, marriages and families survive without being rooted in God is almost incomprehensible. But we cannot pretend that marriages between unbelievers don’t exist or that they don’t survive, because they very obviously do. However, as GOOD they may appear to be, they can’t be GLORY without God.

For instance, within the institution of marriage, when a man senses the natural burden of being a husband (one who holds a family together), which includes leading, protecting and providing for his wife, it is then that he can truly appreciate the picture of God as the husband of His people. In other words, it is distinctively from within the foundation of marriage that the biblical truth of God, as Husband, can be virtually realized and appreciated.

The glory of God in Christ is the aim of marriage. If most of us were to tell the truth, we’d have to admit that we’ve never even contemplated that marriage exists for God more than it does for us. But that’s the truth of the matter. After all, marriage is God’s concept, which makes Him the Author and ultimate Advisor of His creation.

So, instead of focusing on our own needs, we must focus on the glory of God through our unions. God created marriage, and He is also the only hope for having an extraordinary godly covenant.

Heavenly Father, please help us to see our marriages as a way to glorify you. Show us where we need to change and surrender to your lordship. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Drs. Michael & Kendra Holmes are the pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in Warner Robins, Ga., the founders of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC, the authors of the 31-day devotional, “Cross-Fire: Igniting Passionate, Purposeful, and Powerful Relationships” and the founders of the faith-based newspaper, The Royal Trumpet. W.A.R. is an acronym for “We Are Royalty,” ™ the official slogan of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC. Visit the website at www.RoyaltyRelationshipCoaching.com.

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