A Team Most newlyweds begin marriage with the concept of each person contributing 50% to the marriage arrangement—a 50/50 proposition. But is that enough? Anyone who has played team sports understands that each teammate is expected to give 100% in order for the team to successfully reach their goals. So why would a marriage be any different? The first step in a successful mar - riage is for both husband and wife to put all their effort into the relation - ship, each giving 100% to ensure the marriage is all that God intends for it to be, seeking daily guidance from Him. Marriage is between the husband and wife, and no one else. In Gene- sis 2:24 God states: Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall be - come one flesh. Both husband and wife must be completely focused on putting God first, then on each other, and the new family they are building together. To become one flesh means they will be merging their lives physi - cally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. It signifies that they are no longer two separate entities but a single unit, representing a perma- nent bond created by God. Both are to give their best effort in accomplishing that goal. Husbands and wives must fully co - operate in all aspects of marriage. Before marriage, plans and dreams
should be discussed and agreed upon, then as a team strive to ac -
not entitle him to rule his wife like a dictator. On the other hand, his role is not a mere formality. God created the institution of mar- riage in a specific way, with strengths and skills that He endowed to both male and female. But how does a husband properly lead? Ephesians 5:25-31 explains the man’s role: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glo - rious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cher - ishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
complish them together. Understanding Roles
Marriage has defined God ordained roles. If these are not followed, the marriage will experience hardship and could end in failure, and if not, it will never be the happy, joyous marriage God intends. Every successful team has a coach to lead. So, every marriage must have a leader, and this is the hus - band’s responsibility as he yields to Christ. Ephesians 5:22 explains the mar- riage roles: Wives, submit to your own hus - bands, as to the Lord. God intends that the wives willingly submit to their husbands. The hus - band is not to force submission. Continuing in verse 23: For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church... This does not mean the husband is better than the wife, or that the wife is inferior in any way. This role does
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