Faithful Legacy

Before getting married, I believed the purpose of marriage was primarily about companionship, love, happiness and raising godly seeds. While those elements are undoubtedly valuable, I’ve come to realize that marriage is also one of God’s most powerful tools for spiritual growth, transformation and Christlikeness.

Marriage has a unique way of revealing the areas in our hearts that need refining like selfishness, pride, impatience. It calls us to love selflessly, to serve without seeking reward, and to extend grace and forgiveness even when it’s difficult.

Happiness, I’ve learned, isn’t the ultimate goal of marriage, it’s a beautiful byproduct of two people choosing daily to grow, to sacrifice, and to love each other in a way that reflects the heart of God.

The challenges we face in marriage aren’t meant to break us, but to shape us individually and together into more Christlike people. And when both partners embrace this truth, the depth and beauty of marriage become even more meaningful and enduring.

Marriage is one of the greatest blessings God has given to humanity. It is not simply a social arrangement or a legal contract, but a sacred covenant established by God Himself. From the very beginning, He designed marriage to bring companionship, unity, fruitfulness, and a reflection of His own love and faithfulness. Scripture tells us, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18, KJV). Marriage was not man’s invention, it was God’s perfect design to provide fellowship, love, and support between husband and wife.

It is also more than a temporary agreement, it is a covenant before God. “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant” (Malachi 2:14, KJV). In this covenant, both husband and wife are called to faithfulness, just as God is ever faithful to His people. His plan is for the two to become one, as the Word declares: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24, KJV).

The New Testament reveals that marriage is also a picture of Christ’s relationship with His Church. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it… So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:25, 28, KJV). In turn, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:33, KJV). In this way, marriage becomes a living testimony of the gospel.

From the very beginning, God blessed the union of husband and wife with fruitfulness: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28, KJV). While this blessing often includes children, fruitfulness also speaks of love, good works, and spiritual growth that flow from a godly marriage. A couple walking in God’s plan bears fruit that blesses their home, their community, and future generations. Marriage is also a place of mutual support and spiritual growth, for “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow… and a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, 12, KJV).

In summary, God’s plan for marriage is to unite a man and a woman in a covenant of love and faithfulness. It is meant to provide companionship, reflect Christ’s love for His Church, nurture fruitfulness, and strengthen both partners in their walk with Him. When lived according to His design, marriage becomes a powerful testimony of His love and a lasting legacy of faith.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, bless our marriage with Thy love and faithfulness. Help us to walk in unity, to honor one another, and to reflect Christ in all we do. Keep our hearts steadfast in Thee, now and forever. Amen.