Living Marriage for the Glory of God: A Higher Purpose

The Surpassing Goal: Marriage Lived for the Glory of God

Marriage is a beautiful thing designed by God. It is meant to be a covenant between a man and a woman, a relationship that reflects the love and commitment between Christ and his church. However, marriage is not an end in itself. Its ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God. In this article, we will explore what it means to live marriage for the glory of God.

What Does it Mean to Live Marriage for the Glory of God?

Living marriage for the glory of God means that our primary goal is to magnify the truth, worth, beauty, and greatness of God through our marriage. This means that our love for our spouse is not an end in itself, but a means to an end – to point people to God. Our love for our spouse should reflect God’s love for us, and our commitment to our spouse should reflect God’s commitment to his people. When we live marriage for the glory of God, our relationship becomes a testimony to the grace and love of God.

Living marriage for the glory of God also means that we recognize that our marriage is not the most important thing in our lives. God is the most important reality, and our marriage exists to serve him. When we prioritize our relationship with God above our relationship with our spouse, we are better able to love and serve our spouse. When we seek first the kingdom of God, all other things, including our marriage, fall into their proper place.

Why Should We Live Marriage for the Glory of God?

Living marriage for the glory of God is not just a good idea, it is essential to a healthy and thriving marriage. When we make our marriage the ultimate goal, we put too much pressure on it. We expect our spouse to meet all our needs and fulfill all our desires, and when they inevitably fall short, we become disillusioned and disappointed. When we live marriage for the glory of God, we recognize that our spouse can never meet all our needs – only God can. This takes the pressure off our marriage and allows us to love and serve our spouse without expecting them to be our savior.

Living marriage for the glory of God also helps us to keep our priorities straight. When we prioritize our marriage above God, we are at risk of making an idol out of our spouse. We may begin to value their approval and affection more than we value God’s approval and affection. This can lead to codependency and an unhealthy attachment to our spouse. When we live marriage for the glory of God, we keep God at the center of our lives and our marriage. This helps us to love and serve our spouse in a healthy and balanced way.

How Can We Live Marriage for the Glory of God?

Living marriage for the glory of God is not always easy. It requires intentional effort and a commitment to putting God first in our lives and our marriage. Here are some practical ways to live marriage for the glory of God:

1. Pray Together

Prayer is a powerful tool that can help strengthen our relationship with God and our spouse. When we pray together, we invite God into our marriage and ask him to help us love and serve each other better. We can pray for our marriage, our children, our extended family, and our community. Prayer is a way to keep our focus on God and his purposes for our lives and our marriage.

2. Read the Bible Together

The Bible is God’s word to us, and it is a source of wisdom, guidance, and encouragement. When we read the Bible together, we learn more about God’s character and his plan for our lives. We can discuss what we have read and apply it to our marriage. Reading the Bible together is a way to keep God at the center of our lives and our marriage.

3. Serve Together

Serving others is a way to demonstrate God’s love to the world. When we serve together, we not only help others, but we also strengthen our marriage. Serving together can be as simple as volunteering at a local food bank or as complex as starting a nonprofit organization. The key is to find something that we are both passionate about and use our gifts and talents to make a difference.

4. Forgive Often

Forgiveness is essential to a healthy and thriving marriage. When we hold onto grudges and bitterness, we create a barrier between ourselves and our spouse. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is necessary for our own emotional and spiritual well-being. When we forgive our spouse, we demonstrate God’s love and grace to them.

5. Seek Help When Needed

Marriage is not always easy, and there may be times when we need outside help. Seeking the advice and counsel of a pastor, counselor, or trusted friend can help us navigate the challenges of marriage. It takes humility to admit that we need help, but it is a sign of strength and wisdom.

Conclusion

Living marriage for the glory of God is not always easy, but it is essential to a healthy and thriving marriage. When we prioritize God above our spouse and seek to magnify his truth, worth, beauty, and greatness through our marriage, we create a relationship that reflects God’s love and grace to the world. It takes intentional effort and a commitment to putting God first in our lives and our marriage, but the rewards are immeasurable. As we seek to live marriage for the glory of God, may we be reminded of the words of the apostle Paul: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

References

• Ephesians 5:22-33


• Colossians 3:17


• 1 Corinthians 10:31


• Matthew 6:33


• Philippians 4:6-7


• 2 Timothy 3:16-17


• Psalm 127:1

As Christians, we are called to live our lives for the glory of God. This includes our marriage. When we live marriage for the glory of God, we create a relationship that reflects God’s love and grace to the world. May we seek to put God first in our lives and our marriage, and may we be a testimony to the surpassing greatness of God.