Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV) 25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church."
Ephesians 5:24 (NKJV) 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."
Happy the home when God is there,
And love fills every breast;
When one their wish, and one their prayer,
And one their heav’nly rest.
A wonderful marriage should be the rule and not the exception for the follower of Christ. I enjoy a wonderful marriage. My wife was chosen for me by God—I wasn't looking to be married, but God had other plans; shares my values and aspirations in life; was perfectly suited for the kind of ministry work I do—I travel a lot so that was a tall order, and do massive amounts of reading; and has become my partner, soul-mate and best friend in every respect of the word. I think she would say the same thing. I call her my "better equal," since I have so much respect for her. On this page I try to share things I have learned that have brought about such a good marriage.—Dan
"If the Lord’s professed believing people would be under rule to the Prince of Life, the husband will be the head of the wife and she in her deep love can lean upon her husband, while he is indeed, if he answers the purpose of God, to be priest in his religious service and houseband to bind about the family relation. Pure, clean, holy affections will be a testimony to the world of happy Christian homes. The wife is [to] love, respect, and counsel with her husband. The wife is to be the queen of the home, not a slave but a part of the hallowed union." {Ms202-1903.6} Read the rest of this short but most instructive article on the marriage relationship.
"If we are doers of the word, we shall daily bear the cross after Jesus, subdue self, and thus bring harmony into the home life. The sweetest type of heaven is a home where the Spirit of the Lord presides. If the will of God is fulfilled, the husband and wife will respect each other, and cultivate love and confidence. Anything that would mar the peace and unity of the family should be firmly repressed, and kindness and love should be cherished. He who manifests the spirit of tenderness, forbearance, and love, will find that the same spirit will be reflected upon him. Where the Spirit of God reigns, there will be no talk of unsuitability in the marriage relation. If Christ indeed is formed within, the hope of glory, there will be union and love in the home. Christ abiding in the heart of the wife, will be at agreement with Christ abiding in the heart of the husband. They will be striving together for the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love him." {ST November 14, 1892, par. 2} Read the rest of Sacred Duties Of Home Life.
"God has ordained that there should be perfect love and harmony between those who enter into the marriage relation. Let bride and bridegroom, in the presence of the heavenly universe, pledge themselves to love each other as God has ordained they should. Let no draught of unkindness chill the atmosphere of love which should surround them. The wife is to respect and reverence her husband, and the husband is to love and cherish his wife. As the priest of the household, the husband and father should bind his wife and children to his heart. The wife should feel that the large affections of her husband sustain her before her children are born, and after their birth he should co-operate with her in the management of the little ones, who should be wisely, firmly, tenderly, lovingly educated." {ST September 6, 1899, par. 9}
This is a wonderful book on marriage written by an SDA. You will be blessed!Rose has been busily reading this book and reading portions. Everything I have heard is wonderful! Additional Format:
"Few have correct views of the marriage relation. Many seem to think that it is the attainment of perfect bliss; but if they could know one quarter of the heart-aches of men and women that are bound by the marriage vow in chains that they cannot and dare not break, they would not be surprised that I trace these lines. Marriage, in a majority of cases, is a most galling yoke. There are thousands that are mated but not matched. The books of heaven are burdened with the woes, the wickedness, and the abuse, that lie hidden under the marriage mantle. This is why I would warn the young who are of a marriageable age, to make haste slowly in the choice of a companion. The path of married life may appear beautiful and full of happiness; but why may not you be disappointed as thousands of others have been?" Read Unwise Marriages by Mrs. White
In this important letter written to a young man who was secretly pursuing a young woman behind the backs of her husband, important principles are shared regarding Christian courtship. This letter should be required reading by anyone contemplating marriage.
Here you will find helpful quotations on choosing a marriage partner.
This is a brief article that addresses the question of marrying outside of the faith.
Finding God's choice of a husband or wife is a key element of a happy marriage. Here are some thoughts that others have found helpful in evaluating a potential partner for a godly marriage.
On this page you will find the testimonies of the Christian courtships of several couples. I believe you will be blessed in listening to these stories of God bringing couples together.
There are many thoughts on godly marriages in the writings of Ellen White. I will add quotations from time to time.
The following words are helpful when seeking to study more on the subject of marriage:
Sacred ordinance, institution, sacred circle, domestic happiness, tender, beautiful, sanctioning. Remember to pair the words to find fewer quotations.