God’s Love in Marriage: Building a Strong Foundation through Jesus
Marriage is a beautiful and complex institution. It’s a covenant between two people, a commitment to love and cherish each other, and a reflection of God’s own love for us. But it’s not always easy. Marriage requires effort, patience, forgiveness, and most importantly, the foundation of God’s love. In this article, we will explore how we can build a strong foundation in our marriages through Jesus.
Understanding God’s Love
Before we dive into how God’s love can strengthen our marriages, it’s important to understand what that love looks like. 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
God’s love is selfless, patient, kind, and forgiving. It’s a love that never fails, and it’s a love that we can model in our marriages. When we understand the depth of God’s love for us, we are better equipped to extend that same love to our spouses.
Building a Foundation of Love
Now that we have a better understanding of what God’s love looks like, let’s talk about how we can build a foundation of it in our marriages. Here are some practical steps:
1. Pray for each other
One of the most powerful ways to build a foundation of God’s love in your marriage is through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Take time each day to pray for your spouse. Ask God to help you both love each other more deeply and to show you how to extend that love to one another.
2. Show kindness and forgiveness
As we mentioned earlier, God’s love is kind and forgiving. We can reflect that same love in our marriages by showing kindness and extending forgiveness to each other. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
When we extend kindness and forgiveness to our spouses, we are building a foundation of God’s love that will help us navigate the challenges that come our way.
3. Serve each other
Another way to build a foundation of God’s love in your marriage is by serving each other. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Look for ways to serve your spouse every day, whether it’s making them breakfast in bed or doing the dishes. By serving each other, we are reflecting God’s love and showing our commitment to our marriage.
Conclusion: Strengthening Your Marriage through Jesus
Building a strong foundation of God’s love in your marriage is essential for navigating the challenges that come your way. By praying for each other, showing kindness and forgiveness, and serving each other, you are reflecting the selfless, patient, kind, and forgiving love of God.
Remember, marriage is a beautiful and complex institution, but with the foundation of God’s love, it can be a reflection of His own love for us. So take time today to pray for your spouse, extend kindness and forgiveness, and serve each other in small ways. May your marriage be a shining example of God’s love in the world.