The first thing that someone thinks when this question is asked is whether or not we have a husband or wife. This is only natural in our society. I have had the privilege of attending many weddings in my lifetime, and I can think of few things as beautiful as a bride adorned for her husband and the two promising to live together until death. Inherent in the word "marriage" is the idea of a total commitment to something or someone. The church is allegorized as being married to Christ, it is the bride of Christ (Rev 21:2,9; 2 Cor 11:2). In the marriage of a man and woman today, there are certain vows exchanged. When we are born into the family of God, we also make particular vows to God. Have you honored your vows?

ARE YOU FAITHFUL TO HIM?

God made marriage to be one man to one woman. In like manner, God alone is to be worshipped. He is a jealous God and will not allow one to turn their affections to another thing or person and be defiled (2 Cor 11:2). Those who turn their affections elsewhere from God are guilty of idolatry and adultery. One cannot remain in this situation and enter into the kingdom of God (Gal 5:19-21).

Love is the backbone of a marriage. Unless you truly love your spouse, you will not be willing to keep any of the vows that have been made. When one becomes a child of God by putting on Christ in baptism (Gal 3:27), he has made a commitment to love God even to the point of death (Rev 2:10). Love, as anyone knows, entails more than just saying, "I love you." Love must also be expressed by action. This is why Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," (Jn 14:15).

Your spouse should be honored above all others in this life. The two of you will have to fight battles throughout your lives. Without a partnership and desiring to be together, these battles become impossible to win. We have become one in spirit with Christ when we become members of the church. We become part of the "one body" (Eph 4:4). Not desiring to be in communion with Christ and fellow Christians in worship assemblies is like the heart rejecting the head and the rest of the body. Such rejection becomes fatal to that individual and eventually to the body. Honor Christ with your presence at His assemblies.

A husband shows no love for his wife if he is not willing to support her financially as he is capable. An unselfish person always desires the best for his or her spouse, even if it means doing without personally. How we give to one another is a good indication of the love we have between us. Christ has expressed His immense love for us. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us" (1 Jn 3:16). Christ has unselfishly given more than His share. We have an opportunity to show our love to God. We have the opportunity to support His work here on earth financially. Everyone who has an income is obligated to give as they have been prospered (1 Cor 16:2) and with a cheerful heart (2 Cor. 9:7), understanding what all God has given us. We must realize we cannot out give God but "he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly" (2 Cor 9:6).

To be one flesh is to stand together. "Every city or house divided against itself shall not stand" (Mt 12:25). When husband and wife are constantly divided, the house is not a home, but just a dwelling place and a miserable one at that. If we are not willing to defend the truth of God's Word then we will not be able to stand as a body of God's people. We must stand united and defend the church against defilement by the world

and influence of false teaching. Beware, "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Gal 5:9). As a faithful bride of Christ let us make sure we keep the promises we avowed at our new birth. Be faithful to Him, love and honor Him, support, and defend Him in all that you do and you shall hear the words, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant ... enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Mt 25:21).