Christian Marriage Foundational Scriptures

Rick and I joined the 50 year club, celebrating our Golden Anniversary in July. We reminisced about humorous moments in our marriage. We are grateful for all the Lord has done in us and through us.

When I look at our wedding album, I see two young optimistic kids with love for each other and hope for their future. We spoke the traditional wedding vows, not fully knowing what the words meant.

“To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.”

We wanted a Christian marriage but had no clue about how to create a faith-based family.

In some ways we are the same people we were fifty years ago, but in more ways we have grown.

Our current picture shows a “seasoned” couple who has learned what those vows mean. Each word has a depth of meaning.

A year ago I faced my greatest challenge of the Stage IV head and neck cancer diagnosis with surgery and intense radiation / chemo treatments. God has been with me every step. Rick has supported and taken care of me in sickness and health. The prayers of many people have strengthened me, and I am grateful. I rejoice that God has restored my health. Every recent medical appointment has shown positive improvement and no cancer. I count it a miracle that I can talk and am doing well. Praise God!

Three foundational scriptures have shaped our marriage.

This passage describes the benefits of working together, mutual encouragement, and support.

Most importantly, it teaches us to look to the Lord to be the third strand in our relationship.

Because of Christ’s love and forgiveness to us, we can love and forgive, offering  grace to each other.

Listen to the Marriage in Today’s World podcast to hear us talk about caring for the soul of your marriage.

We agree to speak kind words to each other, even when we disagree.

Sometimes it’s hard to swallow our pride and not belittle the other person when we’re in conflict.

That’s when I pray for the Lord to put a guard over my mouth.

Forgiveness is absolutely key to the marriage relationship.

Ruth Bell Graham said,

“A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers.”

So true!

Living with another person reveals our bent toward selfishness and desiring our own way.

Honoring one another corrects us through demonstrating love by putting the other person first, of valuing them for their uniqueness.

Listen to The Vision Driven Marriage podcast where we discuss intimacy and honor.

These principles have been foundational scriptures for Christian marriage.

They can be applied to any relationship, whether you’re single or married.

Marriage is a beautiful challenge with peaks and valleys.

We had disappointments and difficult times.

We’ve celebrated as our family has increased from the two of us to twelve.

God is faithful and good.

On the journey, God uses each spouse to help the other grow in showing love, forgiveness, and honor.

We’ve grown in understanding the foundational scriptures for marriage.

We still have a lot to learn in the next season of life.