Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, 5 is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Context:

Paul is outlining how Christians should take on the personage of Christ. This concept is even more important when applied to marriage. Our God is not a God of chaos and strife, but a God of peace. The references below are cornerstones of marriage.

Love and Respect: Ephesians 5:33 highlights the importance of love and respect between spouses. A husband is called to love his wife, while a wife is encouraged to respect her husband.

Unity: Genesis 2:24 states that a man and woman become one flesh, emphasizing the need for unity and partnership in marriage.

Faithfulness: Hebrews 13:4 underscores the importance of fidelity, stating that marriage should be honored and kept pure.

Communication and Understanding: Proverbs 18:22 suggests finding a good spouse is a blessing, which implies the need for mutual understanding and communication.

Personal Story:

Christ is the head of our household. Our marriage is very much a partnership. We are focused on our walk with Christ and on the needs of the spouse, and we recognize that we are one flesh. The biblical view of “one flesh” covers every facet of a couple’s joint lives as husband and wife. In marriage, two whole lives unite together as one physically, emotionally, intellectually, financially, spiritually, and in every other way. The “two shall become one” in purpose. They are so close they

function like one person, balancing each other’s strengths and weaknesses so together they can fulfill their God given calling.  If our spouse is hurting the whole marriage is hurting. Although sometimes painful, we discuss our needs, hurts, fears, and desires. We discuss our faith and how we are as a team honoring Christ with our life. We pray for each other every day.

-Sam & Debbie Scull

Application: 

In our relationship the husband loves the wife as Christ loved the church. This means doing what builds up the wife, up to and including giving his life. In the everyday it requires intimate communication, genuine caring about the wife’s needs, fears, struggles, and desires. 

In our relationship the wife is the help mate as described in Genesis. She respects, builds up, encourages and yes, counsels the husband. Together as one flesh we work to pursue what God would have us do to further his Kingdom. Our walk in Christ is a daily testimony to Christ and each other.