Making the most of our marriage

How do we make the most of our marriage? God gave instructions for husbands and wives which are keys to a long and happy marriage.

1 Peter 3:1-7: “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear. Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

As we looking at God’s Marriage Manual (the Scripture), there are three preliminary principles to underscore:

1. God is our designer and knows what is best for us; thus this “owner’s manual.”

2. Man is a sinner and in rebellion against God’s authority.

3. A Christian is a servant acknowledging the authority of God and his Word.

What is the wife’s role in a marriage?

Wives are to submit to husbands “in the same way” that Christ submitted to God the Father. That submissive spirit in Christ was far from degrading but was his glory. God had several purposes for delegating leadership to the husband in the home:

1. For an orderly function of the home, any group needs a delegated leader.

2. To meet and fulfill the needs of your mate. If a man is not leading, he probably has poor self-image.

3. A Christian wife can pray for the salvation of her un-Christian husband, and he will notice Christ in his wife more than any sermon he heard.

4. To lift up Jesus Christ in the home: the wife brings him honor by submitting, which simply means helping him reach his intended purpose in life. Sarah is held up as an example. She “obeyed Abram and called him her master.” Every husband wants his wife to respect him, make him feel special and regard him as her hero.

What is the husband’s role in a marriage?

To be “considerate” means putting the wife’s interests and feelings ahead of everything else, showing thoughtfulness and attentiveness. “Love your wives as Christ loved the church…” (Ephesians 5:25). The wife knows the security of being loved, valued and “number one” with her husband. A husband must make her feel cherished. God’s design is for a man and woman to enter into a permanent, intimate relationship with one another. Martin Luther, the famous protestant reformer, once said, “Let the wife make her husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.”