Marriage is a Covenant Relationship
Marriage is a prophetic portrait of the called out ones and Christ (Ephesians 5:22-33). We can only understand the oneness we have in marriage as we understand the oneness we have in Christ.
There should be increasing intimacy in marriage as there is increasing intimacy with the Lord. The marriage relationship is not manufactured; it is organic (Life producing life). We have been brought together for God’s purposes. Couples should learn to flow in the Lord. There is power in agreement and prayers are not hindered.
Husbands and Wives Hidden In Christ
Often times when we speak or write on marriage, we address either the wife or the husband. Certainly, the word has much to say on the responsibility of each. In this article however, I would like to address the subject of marriage to both parties and from the position of being hidden with Christ in God.
The word says in Colossians 3:3 that "we died and our lives are hid with Christ in God." Then in Hebrews 10:20 we are told that Jesus made a new and living way for us. What does all of this mean for us and particularly for those of us who are married?
When we received Christ as our Savior, the Bible says we were born again or born from above. We died to sin and are now alive in Christ. Old things have passed away and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are no longer of the old creation for that was done away with in Christ. We are now a new creation and the game rules are different. We now function with a new nature, a new spirit and a new mind. We live in the Body of Christ and we are learning to function in His Body. Galatians 5:25 says “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Let’s look at some instruction from the Word that applies to both husband and wife.
Ephesians 5:21: "Submitting to one another in the fear of God." The Amplified Bible says it this way: "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." The word submit in the Greek means to obey, surrender, to agree and subdue unto. A root word means to arrange in an orderly manner. When we submit to one another in reverence for Christ, we are coming into agreement and setting things in order. We are establishing unity and halting the plots of the enemy. Psalm 133 tells us that where unity is God commands a blessing.
Philippians 2:2, 3: “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” This oneness of mind and having the same love comes from the husband and wife abiding in Christ and receiving His mind.
Romans 12:10: “Honor one another and prefer one another.” Sometimes this can be a tall order, for most of us like to prefer ourselves. But when we honor what God honors, then He honors us. With honor, we experience the favor of God manifested in our lives.
Colossians 3:13a: “Bear with one another, forgive one another.” Be quick to forgive your spouse. Un-forgiveness is like taking poison and hoping the other person dies. Remember, our warfare is with principalities, powers and spirits of darkness. Your spouse and children are not who you are up against, they are not the problem. They are only allowing a spirit to use their flesh, to offend you. Deal quickly with that spirit (bind it from speaking in the name of Jesus – Matthew 16:19) or your spouse’s flesh will continue to torment you. You say, “It’s more than I can forgive!” Then say this, “Christ died and forgave my spouse for that wrong.” Take your position in Christ and say, “Lord, You forgave them, so I am turning this over to You, and I recognize that in You I have forgiven them because You did. I reckon myself crucified with You; I am dead, and a dead man cannot be offended. Yes, I will be a living sacrifice.”
Colossians 3:15a:”Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Don’t move outside of your peace. Jesus was made peace for you (Ephesians 2:14) and that peace is on the inside of you like an umpire. When you were baptized into Christ, you were completely submerged into peace. If that peace is not ruling, then you are walking in the old man. Stop what you are doing and ask for God’s help.
Colossians 3:16a: “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Spend time in the word reading and meditating. It will produce results.
Colossians 3:17:”Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Whatever you do in word or deed, do to honor Jesus and His shed blood.
These are just a few verses that can be applied to our marriages. There are many more. The main thing is that we abide in Christ and let His life and love flow out of us to our spouse and we will have heavenly marriages. All of these scriptures I have referenced are simply the character of Christ and that character is already in you, waiting to be released.
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31).
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A New and Living Way
Marriage is a covenant relationship. Blood was shed so we could have
heavenly marriages. Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave
his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall
become one flesh.” This was God’s original design, but now that we
are In Christ, we have moved into even a greater position in
our marriages. We are all one in Christ, no males or females
(Galatians 3:28) and we are not to see our spouse after the flesh.
Yes, we are still "one flesh" as originally designed, but now we are
one in Christ and bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh (Ephesians
5:30 KJV). 
A New and Living
Way