The Spiritual Contract of Marriage

The other day I wrote about the civil contract of marriage. Let me jump into an area of thought that is very subjective.. the spiritual. Or, is it subjective? Let’s make the observation right at the beginning that many of the lifelong marriages we’ve known about have survived incredible pressures because of their faith in God, and the shared values between husband and wife based upon that faith.

The spiritual contract of marriage is a contract between the bride, the groom, and their Creator. It is a faith contract. It is a promise made in the presence of God, seeking His strength and guidance to keep the vows of the marriage contract. In this current culture, it is next to impossible to maintain the promises of a civil marriage contract in our own strength. I’d be a rich man if I received $5000 for every couple that came to me saying “we want to celebrate our incredible love for each other” and then end up divorced in a couple of years. Feelings are fickle. Those who believe that feelings are primary, and can be relied upon should stop and consider that we have an epidemic of abuse of mood altering substances in our culture. Evidently feelings are not reliable and do not have longevity. We need something more to carry us through the rough spots in life to hold to the promises of the marriage contract.

Our Creator knows our weaknesses. He not only created each of us, but He created marriage and, therefore, He created romance. But, from a faith perspective, romance isn’t based upon feelings.. romance, and marriage, is based upon shared values and faith in our Creator’s purpose.

Promises made “in the sight of God” are based upon more than the fickleness of human emotions. Recognition that marriage is more than the sum of two human individuals is the basis of responding to a higher Power; a higher Purpose.

Do you have any idea what will happen when husband and wife pray together and for each other daily? When we ask God to bless, protect and guide our spouse, it is a lot more difficult to be unfaithful to that spouse; a lot more difficult to harbor unforgiveness for that spouse; and a lot more difficult to be disrespectful to one’s spouse.

If you have not practiced the spiritual contract of marriage so far, it isn’t too late. You can begin today to pray together, and for each other.



Source by Dan Jenkins