Christian Marriage Top 10

What constitutes a Christian marriage?  In a recent wedding message I shared my “top ten” list. 

I believe a happy, healthy, Christian marriage ….

1.    Has a shared faith in Jesus, which is expressed in prayer and worship together, and a love modeled by Jesus.

2.     Has no “Exit” signs, but is a life long commitment.

3.     Nurtures open and honest communication.

4.   Is a “safe place” where two hearts touch, are present to each other, and become best friends.

5.     Deals with conflict by heart-felt listening and forgiving.

6.     Does not keep count of wrongs nor of contributions to the marriage.

7.     Makes the other a better person.

8.     Does not set out to change the other, but focuses on changing ones self.

9.     Does not take the other for granted, but freely expresses appreciation.

10.   Intentionally and daily “blesses” the other for who they are as well as what they do.

St. Paul’s says it this way …. “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.  love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.  love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (I Corinthians 13).   Jesus modeled this love for us and empowers us to live it. 

On our own we wouldn’t get very far with any of this, but with the wind of God’s Spirit filling the sails of our marriage with His love, we can enjoy happy, healthy, Christian marriage.