The Foundation of a Healthy Marriage: Submission

"But I want you to know that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ."  1 Corinthians 11:3

Marriage is one of God's greatest blessings to mankind.  But if you ignore the Manufacturer's Instruction Manual (the Bible), then your marriage can be a disaster.

The Bible tells us the foundation for a healthy marriage.  Submission.  To submit is to place yourself under the authority and leadership of another.  The Bible provides us with a clear org. chart for marriage.  Christ is over the man, and the man is over his wife.  Christ leads, the man follows Christ, and the wife follows her husband.  All marriage problems are caused by neglecting the submission principle.

Christ leads the husband to love His wife as Christ loves the church (Eph 5:25).  To submit to Christ is to submit to Christlike love.  The husband must do and say everything in a spirit of Christlike love for his wife.  This love is selfless, sacrificial, humble, and passionate.  This kind of servant-leadership fosters an environment of joyful submission for the wife.  Submission no longer feels like submission.  It is easy, effortless, and natural.

The wife must submit, support, and respect her husband as she does Christ (Eph 5:22-24).  This kind of Christlike submission encourages the husband to lead like Christ; to favor and prefer his wife, placing her interests before his own.  Her submission motivates him to prioritize her health and happiness.

This is a Christian marriage.  It is the most wonderful human relationship on earth.

If your marriage has seen better days, I'm sorry.  Marriage problems are no fun.  I encourage you to return to God's blueprint for marriage.  Do your part in the submission equation even if your spouse does not.  God will bless you for it.  And if there is anything I can do to help you, please reach out to me.