The first marriage ever recorded in the history of humankind is found in Genesis 2 with our parents, Adam and Eve. Since that marriage, hundreds of thousands of other men and women have followed in their footsteps. Those that have invented things that have changed the course of history will never be forgotten. From Konrad Zuse, inventor of the computer, Alexander Bell, inventor of the telephone, to Madame C.J. Walker (inventor of hair lotion) who all have made a stamp on this world through their contribution. But, no invention will ever be able to trump God’s invention of marriage. Be encouraged by these requirements from the Inventor of marriage!
1. Work as a Team
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4.11-12
God brought you together with your spouse in order to work your purpose together. It is very easy to forget during hard moments when you and your spouse are disagreeing that you are on the same team. On any team, the hardest challenge is learning how to work in sync with your teammates. Professional teams spend years learning one another in order to perfect their teamwork ability. You may differ greatly from your spouse, but its in the differences that you can learn to value what your spouse has.
2. Enjoy Your Spouse.
Enjoy the wife you married as a young man! Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose – don’t ever quit taking delight in her body. Never take her love for granted! Proverbs 5:18-19 (MSG)
God gives you full permission to enjoy your spouse to fullest. In between the long hours at work, taking care of kids, and keeping everyone else happy around you; enjoying your spouse can easily be pushed to the bottom of the list. Make it a priority to enjoy your spouse in some way each day, whether that be through a great night of passionate sex, intimate pillow talk, or cuddling on the couch for a late night movie once the kids are in bed. They are a gift to you, and you deserve to enjoy them.
3. Husbands never stop loving. Wives never stop respecting.
Wives submit to your husbands, as fitting to the Lord. Husbands love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Colossians 3:18-19 (NKJV)
There is a great book written by Emmerson Eggerichs entitled, “Love and Respect”. In this book he does an excellent job at breaking down this biblical principle. Husbands desire respect more than anything from their wives, and wives desire love more than anything from their husbands. When a husband feels respected by his wife then, loving her is even easier. And when a wife feels loved by her husband, respecting him is even easier. Husbands you can love her over and above by paying attention to the details of her life and putting extra effort into meeting her needs. Wives you can show him more respect by trusting his leadership, listening well to the things that are heavy on his heart, and praying forth those things to God.
4. Be a Peacemaker.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 (NKJV)
I released a quote on my Facebook page about how you have to “work” every day at making your marriage better. Well, that sparked a little debate between some of my readers. One person disagreed, stating, “your marriage shouldn’t be a chore that you have to work at it.” I disagreed with him and used this verse to back up my reasoning. It is clear here that God says we must make every effort to keep unity even when being angry or unforgiving is easier. Being a peacemaker in your home shouldn’t be left up to one spouse, but both should make every effort to keep the peace. Yes, you will disagree and argue, but the purpose is to patiently come to a resolve with even more love for each other.