Question: What can make marriage successful?

    Answer: I would imagine that the vast majority enter marriage without serious thought. They certainly do not think in terms of "making a marriage successful." The continuing high divorce rate and many now simply " living together" suggests lack of serious thought.

    Recognize God’s authority. God is the creator of man and woman (Gen. 2). He is also the author of marriage (Gen. 2 ; 3). Since God knows man and woman and is the author of marriage, He certainly has the right to tell us how to have a successful marriage. From the Genesis account learn that Eve was to be a "help meet," Adam was to leave mother and father and "cleave unto his wife," Adam was also to provide, and Eve was to be subjection to Adam (Gen. 2:18, 24, 3:17-19, 16). Other scriptures tell us more about marriage (Eph. 5: 22-6:4). Marriage, as ordained by God, is monogamous and permanent. (Matt. 19:4-10).

    There must be denial of selfishness. One of the paramount cases for failure in marriages is selfishness. The "love" of Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33 is an unselfish love. This love actually has as its action the seeking of what is best for another. I Corinthians 7: 3-5 contains teaching which is illustrative of selfishness.

   Recognize a spiritual partnership. Beloved, the ideal marriage is a marriage which is based on strong spiritual conviction and a spiritual foundation (1pet. 3:7; Matt. 7: 24-28). Both should be Christians – having the same beliefs, goals, and values.

    Marriage is a beautiful institution. It is in this union that man and woman find their ultimate social, emotional, and biological fulfillment. Marriage, as established and ordered by God, is desirable and successful.