God created both man and woman, male and female, in his image. A Christian marriage is when a man and a woman solemnly promise to join their lives together with God at their center, a “covenant.”   When this couple is united in Christ, they become one flesh and their goal is to grow in Christ-likeness throughout their earthly lives – until separated by physical death.

A Christian marriage is based on the understanding that the Bible gives a clear description of the roles of husband and wife—found primarily in Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3 —and a commitment to fulfilling those roles. The husband is to provide leadership in the home (Ephesians 5:23-26). This leadership should not be dictatorial, condescending, or patronizing to the wife, but should be in accordance with the example of Christ leading the church. Christ loved His people (the church) with compassion, mercy, forgiveness, respect, and selflessness to the extent of laying down His life. In this same way husbands are to love their wives.

Wives are to submit to their husbands leadership “as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22), not because they are to be subservient to them, but because both husband and wife are to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21) and because there is to be an authority structure within the home, with Christ at the head (Ephesians 5:23-24). Respect is a key element of the desire to submit; wives must respect their husbands, as husbands are to love their wives (Ephesians 5:33). Mutual love, respect, and submission are the cornerstone of a Christian marriage. Built upon these three principles, both husband and wife will grow in Christ-likeness, growing closer together, not apart, as each matures in godliness.

The traits of humility and selflessness, as described in Philippians 2:1-4, are crucial in a Christian marriage. Both husband and wife must consider their partner’s needs before their own, which requires a selflessness that is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells them. Humility and selflessness are traits only the Spirit of God can produce, nurture, and perfect in us. That’s why strong Christian marriages are characterized by the spiritual disciplines—Bible study, Scripture memory, prayer, and meditation on God’s Word. When both partners practice these disciplines, each is strengthened and matured, which naturally strengthens and matures their marriage.
Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7, 21-24; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:21-33; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Peter 3:1-7;
1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2.

1 John 1:23; And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

Disciples are followers of Jesus Christ who have heard the Word and believed.