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There are three important characteristics of Christ’s example, which if followed, will help you have a better marriage. Before discussing them, however, we need to briefly consider what it means to become a Christian and live as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. If you have not yet repented of life without God and been baptized into Jesus Christ as first century disciples were, now is a good time to seriously considering doing so. Jesus died that we might live eternally. His death and resurrection to life again prove His divinity and His love for you and me. Believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world and give yourself to him completely as the scriptures teach.
At this point, I will simply emphasize the importance of doing God’s will, letting Jesus rule in your heart and shape who you are and how you behave in every aspect of your life – at home and at work, as well as in social, civic and recreational activities. Beyond being the only way to prepare for the next life, following His lead is the best way you can assure that life with your mate will be happy and productive. There are too few happy homes. That is because there are too few homes truly governed by God-given instructions for a happy marriage and a godly home. What your home will be is up to you and your spouse. If you need to know more about becoming a Christian, please check the scriptures quoted in the Appendix or contact me. I will explain more thoroughly, with scripture to support what I teach, how you too can be saved.
You may remember that I mentioned in the Introduction there would be questions to answer, questions that will help you and your love review together the attitudes each have of various activities and responsibilities of married life. The questions will also help you measure the commitment each of you has to the things that constitute a happy marriage. These questions are scattered throughout the book beginning with two about your commitments. Remember to answer each according to what you now believe.
Will you be committed to following Jesus, and allow Him to rule in your life? ________
Will you be committed to building a godly home, according to instructions in the Bible? ________
Three keys to marital bliss
All that we can know about how Jesus conducted Himself while here on earth, who He was and what He taught, is in the New Testament of the Bible. The first four books are called the Gospels. In them we can see Jesus as He lived, how He handled every situation. He set for us the perfect example in every aspect of life.
A careful study of the life of Christ reveals three characteristics which are essential to being the kind of persons we ought to be. Every time you see Jesus in one of the Gospels, you will find these characteristics. Learn to recognize them, and take the time to cultivate them in your own life. You will unlock a treasure chest of peace and happiness in yourself, your home and in your outside life as well. Whenever you meet Jesus in scripture, you will be impressed with His Spirituality, His Selflessness and His Skill (or Ability) in handling every situation. He was always successful. It is possible for you to follow His example. Your relationship with your spouse and any children you may have will be modeled after the example of Jesus if you always demonstrate these three characteristics of godly living: spirituality, selflessness (unselfishness) and skill (ability to do what is needed).
I first heard these keys to being like Christ from Russ LaGrone while he and I were teaching a course on church leadership in the Czech Republic. I thanked him for sharing this way of looking at Christ’s example, and he said I should thank Marty Broadwell from whom he had gotten the idea. Over the years I have come to admire and appreciate these two godly men for their faith and their ability to open to their students the richness of God’s word. They are successful businessmen with families to support, but despite their busy schedules, they have found time to study the Bible deeply and opportunities to share their knowledge with others. Later, I saw Marty and thanked him, but he said the idea for seeing Christ’s life in this special way probably came from Russ. Whoever is responsible (maybe both), I am grateful. Their humility is another reason I appreciate them. Hopefully, seeing Jesus in light of these three characteristics of His life will mean as much to you as they have to me.
Let’s examine these keys to success and happiness in a very practical way. We’ll take each one in turn, and look at specific ways you can cultivate each in your marriage. They apply and can be cultivated equally by both men and women. There are scriptures along the way that you will want to look up. Read and reflect upon what they say. After all, God is the instructor. It is His will and His way that will help you achieve the successful marriage you desire.
Copyright 2006. All rights reserved.
1 This article is an excerpt from Charlie Brackett’s book, Get Ready, Get Set, I Do! (2006), pages 27-29, Clarion Word Publishing, Chattanooga, Tenn.
