Marriage Lived for the Glory of God

The focus of today’s message lies in the essence of "Marriage lived for the glory of God." The pivotal word here is "for." It's crucial to grasp that the topic isn't about "The glory of God for the living of marriage" or "Marriage lived by the glory of God," but rather "Marriage lived for the glory of God."

This tiny word "for" signifies a hierarchy, an order of importance. In this hierarchy, God reigns supreme, while marriage takes a subordinate position. God stands as the ultimate reality, far surpassing the significance of marriage.

The purpose of marriage is to illuminate the truth, value, beauty, and grandeur of God; it's not that God exists to exalt marriage, marriage exists to exalt God.

Until this order is not just understood but cherished, marriage will not be seen as a manifestation of God's glory, but rather as a contender for it.

The title, "Marriage lived for the glory of God," serves as an answer to the question: Why marriage? What is the purpose behind its existence?

This inquiry extends to a broader context:

Why does anything exist?

Why are we here?

Why does sex exist, or the celestial bodies, or life itself?

The answer lies in the purpose of magnifying the truth, value, beauty, and grandeur of God.

God's greatness is beyond comprehension, His value infinite, His beauty unmatched. The psalmist declares,

Psalm 145:3 NKJV

3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

Everything in existence is designed to highlight this reality. Marriage and family fall into this reality.

I believe the heart of every trouble and problem within a marriage relationship lies in this reality. If a marriage is not based on the central purpose to showcase the glory of God, that relationship will have its issues and be unbalanced and unhealthy.

God is the Creator of Marriage and the Relationship shared between a man and woman.

Genesis 2:18 NKJV

18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

Genesis 2:21–24 NKJV

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Marriage is to be in covenant relationship with God and each other for the purpose to showcase God’s Glory.

Through the prophet Isaiah, God declares,

Isaiah 43:6–7 (NKJV)

6 Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth— 7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

Our purpose is to display the glory of God.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, says

Romans 11:36 NKJV

36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

He further clarifies in Colossians 1:16

Colossians 1:16 NKJV

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

All of life is to be lived , "for His glory" and and the words "for Him" means showcasing, revealing, displaying and magnifying His glory.

We must deeply internalize this truth: there was once only God, and everything else, including the universe, is His creation. The universe did not exist eternally alongside God; it came into being through Him. As stated in John 1:1, 3

John 1:1 NKJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:3 NKJV

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Therefore stating, that there was solely God.

Consequently, God stands as the ultimate Reality, while we and the universe are secondary.

We are not on par with God; rather, we emanate from Him. The universe holds secondary significance, not primary.

Humanity does not embody the ultimate reality, value, or standard of goodness, truth, or beauty—God does.

He is the singular, ultimate absolute in existence, from whom everything originates, through whom it operates, and for whom it exists.

When we go into a marriage relationship we need to have this at the forefront of our minds.

This foundational understanding is crucial for grasping the essence of marriage.

When we misunderstand this truth, everything else goes awry.

However, when we truly comprehend it—when it penetrates our minds and hearts—marriage undergoes a profound transformation. It becomes what God intended it to be: a manifestation of His truth, value, beauty, and greatness.

This leads us to a remarkably straightforward yet profound realization: if we desire marriage to hold its rightful place in both the world and the church—to glorify the truth, value, beauty, and greatness of God—we must shift our focus. Instead of solely emphasizing marriage, we must prioritize teaching and preaching about God.

Regrettably, many people today lack a biblical understanding of God—His nature, characteristics, and actions—as they enter courtship and marriage.

In everyday life, many people don't really think about God at all. They don't talk about Him or consider Him important. But even in places like church, where you'd expect people to understand God well, many young couples see Him as not that big of a deal. They don't see Him as powerful or inspiring.

So, when these couples get married, they don't really see how God fits into their relationship. They don't see why it's important to live their marriage in a way that honors God. To change this, we need to help them see how amazing God is and how He should be a big part of their marriage and everything else in life.

How can people make sure their marriages show how glorious and important God is in their marriages, if they don't really spend time understanding or valuing Him?

I've spent 25 years as a pastor, and I've realized something important: The purpose for my life and the life of the church is shine and showcase God’s glory. That's what we're here for: to show how awesome God is. I believe this is what people really need. If married people don't deeply love and respect God, their marriages won't really show how great God is.

But to truly love and respect God in their marriages, people need to know Him well, in all His amazing qualities. And they won't know Him that well unless pastors and teachers work hard, using the Bible to teach them about God in a deep, consistent, and passionate way. When churches are filled with God's greatness, marriages that honor God will naturally follow.

If we aim for marriage to exemplify the truth, worth, beauty, and greatness of God, we must shift our focus away from solely teaching about marriage and instead emphasize God more.

And the reason for that is because marriage is seen as a sacred union designed by God to bring Him glory in several ways: Let us look at least four ways Marriage glorifies God.

1. Reflecting God's Image

In Genesis 1:27-28, it's stated that God created humans in His own image, male and female. Marriage, therefore, is a reflection of God's image as it involves two individuals coming together in a loving and complementary relationship.

2. Unity and Oneness

In Genesis 2:24, it says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Genesis 2:24 NKJV

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

This unity and oneness in marriage mirror the unity within the Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), showing God's desire for unity and intimacy.

3. Mutual Love and Respect

Ephesians 5:25-33 compares the relationship between husband and wife to that of Christ and the Church. Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loved the Church, and wives are called to respect and submit to their husbands. This mutual love and respect demonstrate God's love for His people and the Church's response to Him.

4. Faithfulness and Covenant

Throughout the Bible, marriage is often used as a metaphor to describe God's covenant relationship with His people. Just as marriage involves a covenant between two individuals, God has made a covenant with His people, promising His faithfulness and love. When couples honor their marriage vows, they reflect the faithfulness of God.

So, if we want marriages to truly honor God, we can't just focus on relationship advice. We need to really understand, cherish, and put God first, even before our spouse. This isn't just true for marriage, but for every relationship. We honor God the most when we find our greatest joy in Him.

It is not marriage that is to bring you last fulfillment and unspeakable joy, Ps.63 tells us we are to find supreme satisfaction in God above all earthly things, even above your spouse, health, or life itself in Psalm 63:3

Psalm 63:3 NKJV

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.

Marriage will be safeguarded for the glory of God and molded for the glory of God when the glory of God holds greater value to us than marriage itself. When we can echo the sentiments of the apostle Paul in Philippians 3:8 declaring,

Philippians 3:8 NKJV

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

when we can apply this perspective to marriage, to our spouses—then that marriage will indeed be lived for the glory of God.

Give your marriage to God, give your relationships to God, give your families to God. Ask God to be glorified in your life relationships. Do all for Him and for His glory.