Christian Marriage 101: What Makes a Christian Marriage?

3 Biblical Marriages

Author

Edward Lee
December 19, 2024

Good Thursday Morning!

Last week I shared a link to an Instagram reel (from an old radio show & podcast) that asked: What makes a marriage a Christian marriage? šŸ‘‡šŸ‘‡šŸ‘‡

  • If only 1 person in a marriage believes and follows Christ, is that a Christian marriage?

  • If both people confess Christ but donā€™t seek Christ for the shape, structure and plan of their marriage, is that a Christian marriage?

Not really easy questions to answer and thatā€™s really the point, the only determination of a Christian marriage is the relationship of that marriage to Christ and His authority to shepherd or lead that couple. Here are 3 marriages to consider when determining if a marriage is a Christian marriage.

  1. Job and ā€œMrsā€ Job - Jobā€™s walk with the Lord was so strong God allowed Satan to attack Him to demonstrate his faithfulness. So then, when Job and his wife lost their 10 children plus all their material possessions, his wife told him to curse God & die. Simply, in the wake of losing it all she just couldnā€™t go on (ever felt that). When God eventually restores Job, his wifeā€™s restored to. In todayā€™s terms would this be considered a Christian marriage?

  2. Hosea and Gomer - Hosea was told by the Lord to marry Gomer - a prostitute. She was expectedly unfaithful to Hosea, as God knew she would be. God wanted their marriage to be an example to Israel of their unfaithfulness. Is that adulterous and difficult relationship a Christian marriage?

  3. Jairus - Jairus was ruler of the Jewish synagogue (they didnā€™t go to church šŸ¤£). His daughter was sick & dying. So seeing no other options, Jairus fell at the feet of Jesus for help (Mark 5). On their way to Jairusā€™ house, his daughter died and friends told him there was no need he and Jesus to go to the house. However, they did continue and when they arrived Jesus put all the naysayers out of the roomā€¦with Jairus and his wife, a few disciples and friends present, Jesus raised the daughter from the dead. Is that a Christian marriage?

A marriage where faith runs out, a marriage with a difficult set of realities and a marriage of 2 unbelievers surrounded by naysayers. Yet the common thread šŸ§¶ of each is the direction and presence of the Lord in their marriage.  

Marriageā€™s come in all shapes and sizes, some with 2 believers, some with 1, some with none, yet as we see in these 3, the Lord is in them in different ways yet His power and direction does not change šŸ˜‡šŸ™ŒšŸ½

He showed up to Hosea early on and with clear instruction. So even though Gomer was a prostitute, itā€™s what God called him too šŸ¤©. Jobā€™s wife was unaware of Godā€™s plan in her husbandā€™s life, but as he persevered the Lord, she was blessed too. Jairus and his wife were steeped in Jewish tradition, but when he surrendered to Christ, He blessed them. I joke about them not going to church, but in the joke is the understanding that many of us spend many a week in church but never surrender their marriage to Christ.

As the IG reel asked, Is your marriage married to Christ? Thatā€™s the difference that makes a marriage a Christian marriage. Stand alone for the Lord like Job. Honor God even in a really difficult reality like Hosea. Surrender to Christ as He kicks out the naysayers and does what you canā€™t like Jairus and his wife. Point remains: Trust God with the details and realities of your marriage, cause thatā€™s a Christian marriage and there youā€™ll find His strengthā€¦

That was fun to share, and I pray it blesses your marriage. If it does, share with your spouse or another couple. Christ is really what our marriageā€™s need.

Merry Christmas and may the greatest give you receive be a marriage married to Christ.

Be Blessed