How is God glorified in our marriage and the church?

…that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish… ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:27, 31-33

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians about the relationships and order in a marriage, and he likened it to Christ’s relationship and authority in the church. In describing Christ and the church, Paul indicates that Christ’s love for the church was manifested by service:

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word… Ephesians 25-26

Jesus laid down His life for the church, so He could sanctify and cleanse her. Then Paul noted the purpose of the service: so He could receive her as a glorious church, completely pure and worthy. What is a glorious church, and how does that principle relate to husbands and wives?

How is God glorified by mankind?

God told us in Isaiah 43:7 that He created us (those called by His name) for His glory. The Hebrew root for the word “glory” includes the concept of splendor, copiousness or weightiness, and “glory” includes honor and abundance. (Strong’s H3519 – kāḇôḏ)

Mankind is God’s image in the universe (Genesis 1:27). God is Spirit and man as His glory gives weight or substance to His presence.

God’s invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen in the creation (Romans 1:20). This is most strongly demonstrated in mankind. We can look at godly men and understand more about God and His character.

How is a husband glorified by his wife?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:7 that man is the image and glory of God. Then he says woman is the glory of man. The Greek word for “glory” is also translated as dignity, honor, praise or worship. (Strong’s G1391 – doxa)

Men, what is your attitude about your wife? Do you consider her your dignity? Is she your honor? Does that woman bring praise to you?

As the wife of a Bible teacher, my wife knows that others often watch her closely. My daughters also feel this pressure sometimes. People often come and tell them they are examples for younger women and girls. Occasionally, people whom I barely know and who have never heard me teach come and say what a blessing I am, and say “we watch your family.” My only reply to this is that God is good and His word is true. While all this is gratifying, it illustrates a deeper principle than just my daughters being submissive and reverent.

When a minister speaks, people naturally look at his wife to see if what he says is true. She is his glory, she adds weight to his words by her demeanor. If she is submissive and reverent, like my wife, they see that I know what I’m talking about when I teach about marriage. When my children are well-behaved and honoring, my teaching on family life or anything else gains credibility. (1 Timothy 3:4-5)

How is God glorified in the church?

Here’s where the glory of the church fits into the principle:

• Jesus is the Word of God (John 1:1, 14)
• The church is his bride. ( 2 Corinthians 11:2;Revelation 19:7-8
• When people hear or read the Word of God, they look at the church to see if it’s true. The people around the the early church believed because they saw the church walking in submission to Christ. Acts 2:46-47

Think about all the people with whom you’ve discussed the claims of Jesus Christ. How many of them pointed to the church as the reason they won’t believe? (If you haven’t run into this argument, you’re not sharing the gospel enough.) People often don’t trust God because what they see in the church doesn’t line up with His word. That’s quite an indictment.

Paul, after expressing God’s incredible power in answering prayer, says in Ephesians 3:21 “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever” He expects the church to glorify God forever… and ever.

You may complain that it’s not fair that God expects us to hold that high of a standard, and my family may sometimes feel that way, and it is clearly not attainable. But here’s how it can be done: by Christ Jesus. As a man, I can only walk in holiness and righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ and by faith in His working in me “both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

I can only have that type of faith by His grace (Ephesians 2:8). His grace is the only hope of me being His glory or my wife being my glory (Colossians 1:27), and that grace is the only hope of the church glorifying Christ.(2 Thessalonians 1:12) But in His grace Christ did whatever it took “to present her to Himself a glorious church.”

How can God be glorified in my marriage?

Husband, are you giving yourself for your wife? Are you setting her apart as precious? Are you cleansing her with the word of God in your life? Are you encouraging her in her walk with the Lord so she is holy and blameless? Are you honoring her as a fellow-heir of grace?(1 Peter 3:7)

If you will, she will be your glory, dignity, honor and praise. When people see and hear you together, they will have no excuse because they will have seen God’s glory in your life.

Wife, are you respecting your husband? Do you have the “incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,” being submissive to your husband? (1 Peter 3:3-6) Do your looks, attitude and support bring glory to him so the word of God is not blasphemed? (Titus 2:3-5)

If you will, he will be a covering and a security to you, a loving leader that actively works for your best eternal benefit. When people see you together, they will have no excuse because they will have seen God’s glory in your life.

And Church, are you so submitted to Christ that you are glorious? Do you come to Him as a chaste bride, adorned in good works, reverent and pure? (Revelation 19:7-8)

If you will, then His coming and His presence will be a rejoicing and healing time and His word will cleanse and sanctify you, separating you from the world, and you will “be filled with all the fulness of God” (Ephesians 3:19) and you will fulfill His purpose in creating you, glorifying Him alone.

That’s how God is glorified in your marriage and the church.

By His calling, in His strength,

Dean

*All Scripture quotations in this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

Families from the Beginning is Dean and Lynn Wickert’s first book about families can live by the principles in God’s original design. It is available in paperback and ebook format from Amazon.

The Story Farm is a collection of inspirational lessons learned on the flatlands of northwest Indiana. It is available in paperback and e-book format from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The Families from the Beginning newsletter provides twice-monthly insights and ministry updates. Click here to sign up for this email newsletter. Previous newsletters are here.