Christian Growth Network : God's Purpose in Marriage is Holiness

Truth be told, getting married doesn’t eliminate problems from life. In fact, at times, marriage can seem to bring about greater problems in life. The Apostle Paul said, “But those who marry will face many troubles in this life” (1 Corinthians 7:28) The troubles married people face may come from outward circumstances, their own sinful nature or even from Satan who seeks to destroy marriages. (John 10:10)

If you look upon marriage with the perspective of personal holiness, you will have the opportunity to grow and flourish even in the difficult times. Every trial is an opportunity for God to make you more like Jesus. When both the husband and wife determine to define their marriage by holiness, the ultimate result becomes happiness.

If a husband determines in his heart to love his wife like Jesus would and treat her with the same love that Christ has for the church, she will find happiness. (Ephesians 5:25) And if the wife in turn also chooses to treat her husband with respect and live as a godly wife to her man, He will find happiness in their relationship. (Ephesians 5:22) Happiness is the fruit, or bi-product of married people who seek to love each other as God commands.

Ultimately, each person must make the decision for themselves. Will you choose to allow God to make you more like Jesus and see your marriage as an opportunity to serve someone else’s needs? Or will you look to find happiness in marriage and seek to have all your needs met first? You can’t make your spouse’s decision, each person must choose for themselves. When both husband and wife choose holiness, their marriage will ultimately become a place of great happiness.

Most newly engaged couples will enter into marriage with the hopes of greater happiness. But is happiness God’s ultimate goal in marriage? Being happy in marriage is possible and happiness will be the fruit of those who follow God’s plan for marriage. But happiness is not God’s primary goal for marriage.

God’s primary goal for marriage is holiness. That’s why we call it Holy or Sacred Matrimony. You see, God’s highest priority in each of our lives is to make us more like his Son Jesus. (Romans 8:29) Marriage is one way in which God works in our lives to develop the character of Jesus within us.

A married person who considers holiness and Christlikeness as the ultimate objective of marriage approaches the relationship with a completely different mindset than one who believes marriage is all about personal happiness. When holiness is the goal, the person sees trials as opportunity for growth instead of hindrances to their own happiness or worse yet a sign that their marriage isn’t working.