There’s a third person in our marriage. Maybe there is in yours too, as there is in several other marriages I know. No, it’s not a new addition and no, neither of us is having an affair. The third person and a central person in our marriage is God.
Traditional marriage vows undertaken in a church usually include the minister or priest saying something along the lines of ‘being gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.’
It’s that point in the service where everyone almost unwittingly holds their breath, though I’ve never been to a service where someone has interrupted with an objection at this point.
But that’s not really want I want to talk about but the earlier bit about being in the sight of God. Our marriage is built not only on our love and respect for each other but on a love and respect for God. We try to live His way. That’s why I said He is the third person in our marriage. We were brought together by God and live for him.
Living His Way means we go to church together, we are part of the church and serve in whatever ways we can, we teach children about Jesus together, we study and read the bible together, we pray together – maybe not always as often as we should. Like anything there is room for improvement.
We try and live our lives by the biblical principles set out in passages such as Ephesians 5:22-33, 1 Peter 3:1-7, Colossians 3:18-19 etc. We’re aware God is the third person in our marriage and He informs our decisions and choices. Is God the third person in your marriage?
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