What distinguishes your marriage from marriages of the world? Perhaps a better question would be: Is your marriage distinguishable from the marriages of the world?

As children of God, we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. (Emphasis added)  

According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, we could restate the emboldened part of that verse this way: “that [we] may declare, manifest the virtue, moral excellency, perfection, goodness of action of Him who has invited us out of spiritual darkness, sin and misery into His wonderful, admirable, wondrous light (figuratively meaning moral and spiritual light and knowledge which enlightens the mind, soul or conscience; including also the idea of moral goodness, purity and holiness…).

When God called us out of darkness into His light, He called every area of our lives. We are to be separate from the world in our marriages. “…submitting to one another in the fear of Christ. Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head of the wife as also Christ is head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so the wives should [submit] to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself…For no one ever hates his own flesh, but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church….To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:21-29, 33 (HCSB)

Just as the priests in the Old Testament were called to preserve the uniqueness of the people and the holiness of God’s sanctuary, and just as they were called to a higher-than-normal standard—we are called as believers (a royal priesthood) to “be holy to [our] God and not profane (to defile, make common, dishonor, to violate a covenant) the name of [our] God…” Leviticus 21:6  (Emphasis added). In essence, we as His royal priesthood, are called to preserve the sanctity of marriage.

One of the easiest targets for Satan to profane the name of our God is through our marriages. Think about it!! He begins in the mind, whispering doubts, causing failures that shatter the heart into pieces, infuriating the person who has a quick temper,….and the next thing we realize we’re looking in the phone book for a “good” divorce lawyer. So what if Holy God’s name is dishonored!!! He/she hurt me---surely, God will understand and want me to be happy!!!!   

Child of God, give Satan a good kick by digging deep into God’s Word. Ask your Father what His answers are for your marriage. Be diligent to honor His Holy Name in your relationship with your mate. When times get hard, hold on tighter to Him. Call out to Him, don’t give up!! Show your children and grandchildren your “Marriage of Distinction”.

Blessings to you,

Jim and Debbie Ainley

Marriage Ministry Directors