Building a Successful Marriage - Part 2- Heirs Together

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. – 1 Peter 3:7 -

Part 1 of our study on marriage success focused on being the right kind of person to be married to as well as the importance of marrying the right person. For a believer, the right person is another believer. Today's study explores marriage relationship that two believers should have toward each other based on their individual relationships with God.

As a saved person we have a family bond with all other believers. We are told that we are “joint-heirs” with Jesus Christ. Our opening verse in 1 Peter teaches us that in marriage we are “heirs together”.

This means that the husband and the wife are equally loved, equally saved, and equally blessed by God through Christ. Our differences complete us. It’s best if we go through life together.

THE SAME

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s. then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. – Galatians 3:28-29 –

I am so very glad that God plays no favorites among his children. The husband and wife both have equal access to God ‘s throne of grace through prayer. They are equally comforted, convicted and guided by the Spirit of Christ. All of God’s manifold blessings concerning finances, children, and happiness apply to both man and woman.

Whether married or single men and women are both precious in God’s eyes. The adoption of Christ spoken of in Ephesians 1:5 makes us all equally the children of God.

God did not take Eve from Adam’s head to be his master or from his foot to be his servant. God took Eve from Adams side to be an equal partner in both the pleasures and the trials of life.

BUT DIFFERENT

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. - Romans 12:1 –

I have often heard preachers say that men and women were different from each other and that they were extremely glad that was so. To be honest God has made men and women different from each other for very good reasons. I think of what God said in Genesis 1:31 after he had capped off all of his creation by making Adam and Eve: “and, behold, it was very good.”

Husbands and wives have different abilities with which to serve God. Abilities that they need to combine in a spirit of cooperation in order to fulfill their purpose in God’s plan.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created, - Revelation 4:11 -

Let us start with the understanding of why we are all here. God created us for his pleasure. So many people have never heard of this verse or if they have, they have never fully comprehended it.

The modern naysayers of the world have tried to re-engineer creation and pretend that men and women have no differences. Common sense on the other hand demands that we examine why they are different.

God is a people person. God loves people. God wants more people. God designed people to get married, have children and make more people. To make more people men and women must each bring their unique differences together to collaborate in producing what will always be the greatest achievement of their lives, children.

Men and women are different in so many ways. I’ve never seen a man that was excited about decoration a baby’s nursery, but they always want to give input on the practicality and workmanship of the crib and dresser. Women on the other hand are experts at colors and themes.

Women nurture, excuse, assist and comfort while the man has little patience, thinks people should fend for themselves and get over it if their feelings are hurt. These are necessary qualities for children to experience in the proper measure and at the right time.

But it is not just children that need to experience these qualities, Men need someone to care for them and understand them and be proud of them, just as much as women are attracted by the sense of security that a confident man may offer.

Just as in all endeavors in life our differences are our strengths.

Next week: Children are an heritage of the Lord

God Loves You … and so do I;

J.R. Hodges