Putting Christ first in a marriage

[OnceConvinced]

In another thread, a member suggested that the reason why there are a lot of divorces amongst Christians is due to the fact that they are not putting Christ first in their marriage.

Question for discussion...

What does it mean to put Christ first in a marriage? How does one ensure they are actually putting Christ first in a marriage?

Extra question: If you are in a harmful marriage (say you are being abused or the partner is at fault in some way), should you continue to put Christ first?

[Peds nurse]

What you speak of, it seems to me, is commonality. The more two people have in common, the more likely they are to agree with each other and disagree less. This is common sense. If that commonality is religiosity then that is what will unite them more. If it is another interest then that interest is what will unite them.

IMO, that religious bond has no more a real world impact then any other interest shared with a passion.

Just sharing my two cents,

Commonality, isn't enough to go through the trials of a dying child, a diagnosis of cancer, or adultery.

Agreed, but religion is most certainly not a requirement either. A couple of years ago, my wife and I almost lost our son. He spent a couple of days in the ER and where, for the 1st 24hrs, we had to worry that even if he lived, he might have some brain damage.

Having lived through that (as an atheist), I can tell you what got me through it (and the health issues afterwards) was not faith in Christ or prayer. It was love, diligence, dedication and a ton of hard work and faith in science.

First, I am so very thankful that your son pulled through! Having faith in Christ, is not void of love, diligence, dedication, hard work, or a belief in the physicians and medicine. It is the gas that fuels those things for the believer. You put your faith in science. I put my faith in God who created the science.

It is so much more than that because Christ gives us purpose,

IMO, we give ourselves purpose.

love

We give (and receive) our spouses love. IMO, nothing else is needed (as successful marriages by nonbelievers proves).

For me, it does make a difference. God's love shows me how to love more selflessly. I didn't come to know God until after 10 years of marriage...drastic difference!

and strength.

I concede this, but only with a caveat. This strength, IMO, comes from within you. If it takes the illusion that religion provides to bring it forth, well then so be it.

I argue that one's love of their family should be all that is necessary to bring this forth.

There are some things my sweet friend, that I just don't have strength for on my own. Over 100 kids in our home over the last 17 years....somethings require more strength than I can possess on my own.

Sometimes though, a families best, is dysfunctional and hurtful. God is the only thing that is constant.

Always a pleasure KenRu

[KenRU]

There are some things my sweet friend, that I just don't have strength for on my own. Over 100 kids in our home over the last 17 years....somethings require more strength than I can possess on my own.

I humbly submit that you do have within you the strength necessary to be good, compassionate and selfless as you wish to be : )

Sometimes though, a families best, is dysfunctional and hurtful.

If that is a family's best, then perhaps counseling and other real world help is in order.

God is the only thing that is constant.

We will agree with this, but for different reason, lol : )

Always a pleasure KenRu

The pleasure is mine, and thank you for the kind words.