What is marriage?

Marriage is the first institution (Genesis 2:22-24).
"Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man,
and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman', for she was taken out of man." For this reason a man will leave his father
and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." It was ordained before the family
before civil government--even before the church.

Marriage depicts the supernatural union between Jesus and the church (Ephesians 5:31-32)
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--
but I am talking about Christ and the church." One of the most beautiful analogies God uses to define
His relationship with us is that of a marriage. To grasp this is both inspirational and sobering.
People should be able to look at our marriages and say, "So that's what the church is like? That's what
it means to have a relationship with Jesus?" God intends to cultivate the same abundant, unconditional
love between a husband and wife as He Himself has for us. Marriage is a profound and marvelous mystery
established by God for His glory.

Marriage is the event God has selected to consummate all of time (Revelation 19:7)
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready." God has had at least two thousand years to make preparations for
honoring His Son at the end of the age. It's significant that God has not scheduled the coronation of
the Lamb or the graduation of the Lamb. Instead He has ordained the marriage supper of the Lamb. Why
marriage? Because it speaks of union and intimacy as nothing else does. The greatest thing God could
plan for Jesus was to present Him with His radiant Bride. No wonder we are so deeply moved when a bride
walks down the aisle. Marriage is a holy and wonderful gift. And one day we will be called to account
for our stewardship of this gift.

Marriage is to be held in honor (Hebrews 13:4) "Marriage should be honored by all,
and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." The
Amplified Version of the Bible elaborates on this verse, nothing that marriage should be esteemed worthy
precious, of great price, and especially dear. This requires that we guard against any thought that
dishonors or belittles marriage.

Marriage is a refining process. Conflict will occur in every marriage. When issues erupt between the
two of you, it will be easy for one to blame the other. "If you would just leave the air conditioner on
when it gets this hot, I wouldn't get upset!" The fact is, your spouse won't make you sin. They simply
reveal what's already in your heart. One of the best wedding gifts God will give you is a full-length
mirror called your spouse. If He were to attach a card it would say, "Here's to helping you discover
what you're really like. Congratulations!"

Marriages are happy. It's the living together afterward that's tough.

A good marriage is not just a gift, it's an achievement.

Marriage is not for kids. It takes guts and maturity. It separates the men from the
boys and the women from the girls.

Marriage is tested daily by the ability to compromise. Its survival can depend on being smart enough to know what's worth fighting about. Or making an issue of or even mentioning.

Marriage is giving--and more important, it's forgiving.

By: Ricuccis' "Love that lasts".