Love, Marriage Vows, and the Bible
Love is a powerful force that can overcome almost any obstacle. It is the glue that holds relationships together and the foundation on which strong marriages are built.
But in today’s world, where the emphasis is on self-interest and individualism, it is becoming increasingly difficult for couples to make a lifelong commitment to each other. That’s why it’s so important for modern couples to take a step back and remember the importance of marriage vows.
These vows are not just a formality – they are a sacred covenant between two people that should not be taken lightly. In fact, many of the world’s great spiritual traditions have placed a great deal of emphasis on marriage vows, and the Bible is no exception.
Traditional vs Modern Vows
Wedding vows have come a long way since the days of “to love, honor, and obey.” Modern couples have the freedom to personalize their vows, and many choose to write their own promises to each other. While there is nothing wrong with modernizing the language of your vows, it is important to remember that the core values and principles of marriage have remained the same throughout history.
I encourage you to take a look at traditional wedding vows as you consider how to write your own. These vows serve as a blueprint for a successful marriage, and they are built on a foundation of faith, commitment, and sacrifice.
They remind us that marriage is not just about ourselves, it’s about our partner and the life we build together.
Importance of Biblical Marriage Vows
Ruth 1:16-17
The Bible is filled with wisdom about the importance of marriage vows. One of the most well-known verses comes from the book of Ruth: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me” (Ruth 1:16-17).
These powerful words illustrate the deep commitment and sacrifice that is required to build a successful marriage. It’s not just about staying together when times are good – it’s about being there for each other, through thick and thin.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Another verse that speaks to the importance of marriage vows comes from the book of Ecclesiastes: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
This verse reminds us that we are stronger together than we are alone. When we make a commitment to our partner, we are not just vowing to love and cherish them, we are promising to support them through all of life’s challenges.
1 Corinthians 13
No discussion of love and marriage would be complete without mentioning 1 Corinthians 13.
This chapter, often referred to as the “love chapter,” outlines the essential qualities of love, including patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness.
Love as the Center of All Actions
At its core, this chapter reminds us that love is not just an emotion – it is a choice. We can choose to act with love in all of our interactions, whether with our partner, our family, or the world around us.
When we make love the center of our actions, we are creating a life filled with purpose and meaning.
Importance of a Pure Heart
The final verse of 1 Corinthians 13 is perhaps the most important:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” This verse reminds us that love is the highest virtue we can aspire to.
It is the foundation of our faith, the source of our hope, and the ultimate expression of our humanity. To truly embody the qualities of love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 requires a pure heart.
We must be willing to let go of our own ego and self-interest and embrace the needs and desires of our partner. When we do this, we create a relationship that is built on trust, respect, and mutual support.
Conclusion
Marriage vows are the foundation on which successful marriages are built. Whether you choose to use traditional vows or write your own, it is important to remember that these promises should be taken seriously.
They are a sacred covenant that should not be taken lightly. By embodying the qualities of love outlined in 1 Corinthians 13, and keeping our hearts pure and focused on our partner, we can build a life together that is filled with joy, meaning, and purpose.
So take the time to consider the importance of marriage vows in your own life, and commit yourself to building a relationship that reflects the best of what love has to offer. Love is something that is felt and experienced by humans in different ways, and we often struggle to quantify the true meaning of love.
However, the Bible has given us a glimpse into the depths of love, and perhaps the most powerful expression of love can be seen in God’s love for us. In 1 John 4:7-12, it is stated: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
God’s love for us is unconditional and boundless, and it shows us that true love is not about what we receive, but what we give.
In order to reflect God’s love and show it to each other, we need to love each other with the same kind of love that God has for us. It is with this kind of love that we can build strong relationships, especially in marriage.
Colossians 3:12-19 underscores the need for effort to maintain a healthy marriage and relationship. It states: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
This passage highlights the importance of putting in effort and commitment to making a marriage work. It means going the extra mile for your partner, being patient and forgiving when things don’t go as planned, and treating them with kindness and respect, even in moments of disagreement.
It also reminds us that we need to let Christ’s message dwell within us richly, and not just in word but in action as well. Ultimately, marriage requires not just love, but a willingness to put in the work and attention it takes to create a lasting and fulfilling union.
However, we know that there will be times when even our best efforts will fall short, and it is in these moments that forbearance and forgiveness come into play. The ability to forbear is the capacity to endure challenging times, and forgiveness is the decision to release the hurt and anger that we may feel towards our spouse.
These two qualities are essential for creating a healthy and stable marriage, and they reflect the grace and forgiveness that God has for us. In conclusion, the Bible teaches us that God’s love for us is a profound and limitless force, and it serves as a beautiful example of how we can love others, including our spouses.
Loving each other deeply and unconditionally, and putting in the effort and attention it takes to make a marriage work, requires both forbearance and forgiveness. With these qualities, couples can overcome challenges and build a strong, lasting union that reflects the love and grace of God.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, we are reminded of the importance of seeking companionship in life: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
This passage highlights the value of companionship and the power of mutual support.
While wealth and hard work may provide us with certain comforts and resources, they cannot replace the strength that comes from being in a loving and supportive relationship. Two people working together towards a common goal can achieve far more than they could alone, and they can overcome obstacles and challenges far more easily as well.
In addition, this passage also reminds us of the importance of resilience. Life is not always easy, and we will inevitably face challenges and struggles along the way.
However, by sticking together and supporting each other, we can triumph over adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. This kind of resilience is essential for building a healthy and lasting relationship.
John 15:9-17
In John 15:9-17, Jesus teaches us about the greatest commandment: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.
Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
This is my command: Love each other.”
This passage emphasizes the centrality of love in both our relationship with Jesus and with others. Jesus’s love for us is unconditional and unending, and it serves as the foundation for the kind of love we should have for each other.
In fact, Jesus goes so far as to call us his friends, rather than just servants, and he reminds us that we were appointed to bear fruit that will last. This fruitfulness is not about material success or personal gain, but about the impact we have on the world and on the people around us.
By living a life of love, obedience, and friendship with Jesus, we can create positive change in the world and make a lasting impact on those we encounter. In conclusion, the Bible teaches us about the importance of companionship and mutual support in our lives, and it reminds us of the resilience that comes with working together towards a common goal.
It also emphasizes the centrality of love in our relationships, both with Jesus and with others. By living a life of love, obedience, and friendship, we can bear fruit that will last and make a positive impact on the world.
In conclusion, the Bible teaches us about the importance of love, commitment, and companionship in our relationships. Whether it is in marriage, friendship, or our relationship with Jesus, these values serve as the foundation for building healthy and fulfilling connections in our lives.
By seeking mutual support, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose with those we love, we can create lasting bonds that bring us joy, comfort, and meaning. Through the timeless wisdom of these scriptures, we can gain a deeper understanding of the power of love and find the inspiration we need to live our best lives.
