On the subject of marriage, many has had different views over the years. Irrespective of the view of the world, it is expedient that Christians should pay attention to how Christ views the union between two opposite gender individuals.
Christ like’s marriages are the kind of marriages that God approves that every believer should have. When we talk about Christ like’s marriages, we are talking about marriages that mirrors the expression between the Christ and His church. We speak of the marriage that expresses the very relationship between God and His people.
Read also: Building a Strong Marriage – Embracing God’s Design for Love and Relationships.
The subject of marriage has become a very difficult subject to many. Many couples are asking questions not knowing how long their marriage would last. Many singles are scared of adventuring in a life time engagement that they likely aren’t sure of its outcome.
The truth is marriage is beautiful when God’s procedures are followed. God originates marriage and only Him knows how a man can accurately walk its path.
Genesis 2:18
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.
Characteristics of Christlike marriage
- It is a union between two mature believers
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Christlike marriage first talks about the union between two believers who understand and knows God. In other words, they must be born again. They also must be believers who’s mature in their mind and knowledge of God. And this is because marriage is full of many ups and downs. It requires maturity in God and His words to be able to scale through every adversity and situations that may arise later in the future.
Also, the dictates of God don’t support the union between light and darkness, such unions never yield God’s intentions and plans. Therefore, it is so important for every believer that wants to have a Christlike marriage to of a necessity consider union between two believers.
- It consists of unconditional love and commitment
Ephesians 5:22–27
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Christlike marriage consists of unconditional love and commitment. The scripture has clearly revealed how both husbands and wives must commit themselves to certain responsibilities using the relationship between the Christ and His church as a model to follow.
- It puts God and His instructions first
Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Saviour of the body.
1 Corinthians 7:3
The husband must fulfil his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
God’s instructions are placed first in this kind of marriage. Both parties aim at ensuring that the instructions of God are not neglected
- It is Christ centered
Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be held in honour among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Christ is the center of this kind of union. His instructions and guidelines are upheld and obeyed. In case of any stormy situation, couples in this marriage seeks the help of the Christ first. They depend on Christ for wisdom and sustenance.
CONCLUSION
Every believer must strive to make their marriage Christ like. Only then can their union bring glory to God and his kingdom. May the Grace of God envelop your heart as you strive to pattern your marriage in accordance to the will of God. Amen.