You And Me Forever: Marriage In Light Of EternitySample

"Competition"

Paul says in Romans 12:10 that we are to “outdo one another in showing honor.” 

Can you imagine if this became an accurate description of your marriage? What problems would you face if you were both primarily concerned with honoring each other, rather than exalting yourselves? If you took this self-sacrificing love as seriously as Jesus did, then your spouse would have no grounds for complaining, and you wouldn’t respond in anger even if he or she did. 

Once again, marriage is about God’s glory. It’s about His mission for us. Only those marriages that are characterized by humility call attention to the self-sacrificing love of Jesus. Until every ounce of pride is drained from your marriage, you will be hijacking your marriage, rather than placing it in God’s service. 

What you need more than anything else for your marriage is God’s grace, and James is clear that God’s grace comes to those who pursue humility (4:6).

Discuss with your spouse: What would your marriage actually look like if you competed to show each other greater honor?