Marriage: Following God's Model of Christ and the Church

BY: Judy Pruitt (Stander, Group Leader)

If marriage is supposed to be a picture of Christ and the Church, then how would Jesus walk through a "difficult marriage?"

Ephesians 5:31-32 says, "…and the two will become one flesh, this mystery is great, but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the Church."  

Hopefully, we agree that Jesus' character shows that He would lay his life down for an unfaithful spouse. Therefore a person standing for their marriage to be healed should reflect Jesus' righteousness. As I thought of this scripture, it gave me the idea to make a side-by-side comparison of how God treats us, His Church, and likewise how we should respond and treat our spouses. This comparison is also based on the fact that covenant is a God-made unilateral promise that is not dependent on the other party's actions. God doesn't expect us to do anything He hasn't already modeled to us.

If one walks in this kind of response to a mate who declares a lack of love and commitment to the marriage, then we become a beautiful expression of "Christ and the Church." Several of our past guest conference speakers have declared, "It is no big deal to be faithful to a mate who is faithful to you. Anyone can do that!" But faithfulness amid unfaithfulness is the highest form of modeling Christ and the Church. It is literally laying your life down for your spouse. You are laying at the feet of Jesus your plan, your needs, and your hopes and dreams. They are, in essence, crucified at Jesus's feet, allowing God to resurrect them if He so desires.

Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." This can only be done by daily fellowshipping with Jesus so that His love, power, and grace can flow through us to our mates, children, and the body of Christ. Thank You, Lord, for not giving up on us so we can see the model for us to not give up on our spouses!