A Christian marriage celebrates a special bond of love, hope and faith between a man, a woman and God. Married couples take vows at their wedding to be faithful to each other and to God throughout their entire lives. Social research has shown that marriages last longer when husband and wife attend church together.
The Christian Bible contains many encouraging words about marriage. In the Gospels, Jesus tells His disciples, "What God has joined together, let no one separate." Jesus defends marriage and warns against divorce. Jesus transforms water into wine at Cana, which celebrates a new marriage. The Book of Revelation compares Jerusalem to as the bride of God.
If you are seeking a more meaningful relationship with your spouse or if you are preparing for marriage as an engaged couple, here are three cords of faith, hope and love that you can weave together in the tapestry of your life to make the blessings of marriage more present.
Faith is the first strand. Faith in your marriage, faith in each other, faith in God's presence are the underlying building blocks of a lasting and happy marriage. You express faith by the way you communicate with your spouse and your family. Your intention to grow closer in a Christian marriage relationship with your spouse and with God is what makes for a strong, lasting love. Many Christian marriage counselors and pastors agree that marriage is all about relationship. Being in a relationship means sharing personal feelings and thoughts by telling your spouse in person or in writing. The same is true of prayer. Both husband and wife are individuals and have personal relationships with Jesus Christ. Yet, one of a couple's Christian marriage goals is to pray together.
The second is hope. Hope is the conviction of things not seen. Hope is the expectation that what you will receive what you desire and achieve what you work for. Hope is based on faith and confidence that God in Christ will bring about new life. It is an act of hope to imagine what it would be like to have a Christian marriage relationship that lasts a lifetime. In the United States, marriages have a high failure rate. Over 55% of first-time marriages end in divorce. You can use the virtue of hope to live out Christian marriage vows by focusing on drawing power from God to strengthen your relationship. In the third chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul writes, "Now to him who is able to accomplish far more than all we ask or imagine, by the power at work within us..." God has the power to bring about the vision of a lasting marriage of love, joy, peace, goodness, happiness, service and more. The value of a Christian marriage is the confidence that Jesus is risen and present in the marriage as a third partner.
Love is the third strand of a healthy and lasting marriage. Love is the most important teaching of Christ that finds its highest calling in a Christian marriage relationship. Consider the love chapter, Chapter Thirteen, from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Love is the most important trait of a Christian life. "Love is patient and kind... Love rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things endures all things. Love never fails." Love is the fruit of faith, by believing in all things. Love is the flower of hope by enduring and persevering. Love is the presence and power of God in your marriage that brings you joy, peace, security and happiness.
Your married life is an example of the Christian life that witnesses to your spouse, your family, your church, and society. A Christian marriage allows you to be a role model to those who are skeptical about the value of marriage and be a light to those who are seeking more faith, hope and love in their lives.
About the Author - Dave Pipitone is a professional communicator, husband and father, deeply in love with his wife. For more information about three strands of a Christian marriage, visit http://www.my3strands.com - Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Pipitone
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13
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