‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ Genesis 2:24(NLT)
‘Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ‘ Colossians 3:14(NLT)
‘For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.’ Ephesians 5:25-33(NLT)
I guess you’ve noticed by now that I am powerfully pro-marriage. Why? Because God is powerfully and irrevocably pro-marriage. Marriage is God’s plan A. Actually, that’s not true. Marriage is God’s only plan for two persons who love each other. He offers no other options.
You and I have a choice. We can trust Him completely, or we can choose not to and follow our own plan. But what is the track record of couples following their own plans? Abysmal.
Marriage offers the maximum amount of commitment, love, passion, joy, and security possible in an opposite-sex relationship. Marriage offers you the best in a romantic relationship from the one true God. Marriage is a sacred relationship in God’s eyes. He will always bless your efforts to improve your marriage and grow your love.
God is not the God of dating forever. He is not the God of endless engagement. He is not the God of living together. He is the God of marriage.
from Honey, We Need To Talk