After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Ephesians 5:29-31

When two people become one in marriage, they are promising to love, serve, and even lay down their lives for the other. And even more than any other relationship, a marriage has to be built. Brick by brick, a couple builds their marriage on their daily decisions and actions.

Loving someone like Christ loved the Church is not a feeling or set of emotions, it is a choice. Do not be fooled by your emotions – they can lead you in the wrong direction. But when you choose to commit to loving your spouse, you will not be easily led astray by flighty emotions.

Jesus modeled marriage in the way that he loved the Church. In John 15:13 Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” And just as He said, He loved the Church by laying down His life. When you enter into a marriage, you commit to serving your spouse for the rest of your time.

Marriage is an opportunity to become more like Jesus. Jesus lived a selfless life of service, patience, kindness, humility, and hope. His love never failed. Ask God to show you how to grow more like Jesus in your relationship.