Questions about marriage, finding your soulmate, or choosing the right partner are often asked, and for good reason. It is a lifetime commitment. Most, however, miss the main idea. We are commanded of God to love our spouse, no matter how the relationship began—whether it’s a high school sweetheart, an arranged marriage, or any other circumstance. A successful marriage only happens when both partners commit, command their hearts to love their spouse, and forsake all others.
In explaining biblical marriage, I decided on this aphorism, which I think encapsulates the essence of biblical marriage.
Marriage is:
- A man sacrificing himself FOR his woman,
- A woman giving herself TO her man.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
What most call love is lust and/or infatuation. A spouse is to command their heart to love the other unconditionally, in obedience to God’s command.
It is advised that if you have the opportunity to choose your own spouse, you do so wisely. Take time to get to know them, don’t let your lust guide your decision. It is our responsibility to make our spouse our soulmate. Here is some good advise: Take Him On A Drive.
Titus 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.