Have you ever wondered why some marriages thrive while others struggle? As a pastor who’s been married for 35 years, I’ve learned that the key to a successful marriage lies in following God’s design, a true blueprint for marriage. Let’s explore the foundational principles of marriage as laid out in Scripture.

Marriage isn’t a human invention – it’s a divine institution. In Genesis 2:18, we read, “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'” God Himself created Adam and Eve and brought them together in marriage. This means that to truly understand marriage, we must look to its Designer and His blueprint for marriage.

God’s plan for marriage is clear: one man and one woman united for life. Genesis 2:24 states, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This verse is so important that Jesus Himself quotes it in Matthew 19:5, reaffirming God’s original design, a true blueprint for marriage.

In Genesis 2:22, we see that God created woman from man and brought her to him. This establishes the pattern for marriage as a heterosexual union. I know this might be a controversial stance in today’s society, but as believers, we must stand firm on God’s Word, even when it’s difficult.

Marriage involves a significant shift in relationships. When you get married, your spouse becomes your primary earthly relationship. As Genesis 2:24 says, a man shall “leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife.” This doesn’t mean abandoning your parents, but it does mean your spouse takes priority in the blueprint for marriage.

Jesus emphasizes the permanence of marriage in Matthew 19:6: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” When you enter into marriage, it’s not a trial run – it’s a lifelong commitment.

God didn’t just create marriage on a whim. He had specific purposes in mind:

1. Partnership: Marriage provides companionship and mutual support. As I often say, “I am a better man because of my wife.”
2. Procreation: While not all couples can have children, one purpose of marriage is to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28).
3. Pleasure: Yes, God designed marriage to be pleasurable – emotionally, mentally, and physically.
4. Purity: Marriage provides a God-approved context for sexual intimacy (1 Corinthians 7:2,9).
5. Picture of Christ and the Church: Marriage is meant to reflect the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church.

So how can we apply these truths to our marriages? Here are some practical steps:

1. Recognize God’s authority: Acknowledge that God is the author of marriage and submit to His design, the true blueprint for marriage.
2. Prioritize your spouse: Make your marriage relationship a priority, second only to your relationship with God.
3. Commit to permanence: Enter (or continue in) your marriage with the mindset that divorce is not an option.
4. Pursue purity: Guard your heart and mind, remaining faithful to your spouse in thought and deed.
5. Reflect Christ’s love: Strive to love your spouse sacrificially, as Christ loves the Church.

Remember, there’s hope for every couple and help for every marriage. Whether your marriage is thriving or struggling, I encourage you to seek God and ask Him to help you be the partner He wants you to be. By following God’s blueprint for marriage, we can build marriages that are strong, Christ-centered, and a testimony to others of God’s grace and love.