God’s primary purpose of marriage is to image forth Christ’s marriage to the church (the bride of Christ) (Eph. 5:32). That’s why everything we see as it pertains to marriage falls within this paradigm. God hates divorce – Malachi 2:16 – why? Because Jesus would never divorce His church and the church would never divorce Jesus. Couples are “one flesh” in marriage, why? Because we are one in union with Christ. Men lead their wives, how? Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” Wives follow their husbands, why? Ephesians 5:24, “But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.” Why no adultery? Would we cheat on Christ by running after other gods? Why no fornication? Do we share intimacy with Christ before we come to Him in spiritual marriage? Why no polygamy or homosexuality? Because marriage reflects the union between Christ and the church – one man, one woman. In a nutshell, our marriages are to show the world the Gospel. When people observe our loving and committed relationships, they are to see Jesus and the church.
Randy Smith

Bible in One Year