Who Whould I Marry?

The bond of marriage can be the most wonderful or the most miserable of human relationships. The decision concerning whom to date and to marry has tremendous implications for one’s future. God’s counsel regarding your future mate always has to do with the level of their commitment before God. This is as important as your compatibility in other areas.

In the Old Testament God prohibited Israel’s intermarriage with people from cultures that did not honor the Lord. In the New Testament, the same strong command rules: Committed Christians should marry other committed Christians (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). The marriage relationship goes far beyond emotional and physical attraction. There is a spiritual dimension that can be short-circuited when one person knows the Lord God and another does not. This means that Christians who date non-Christians can become emotionally entangled in a relationship that God cannot honor.

Christian singles need to be careful about dating anyone who is not a Christian. Certainly, some of the qualities that one should look for will vary from person to person. Some will prefer a person who is tall, blond, etc. Likewise, some will prefer a person who is athletic, enjoys horseback riding or water sports. Different personalities in a marriage can actually complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Spiritually, the grace of God conforms all believers into the image of Christ and calls them to holiness. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) become the model for expressing the lasting love that keeps a marriage relationship growing and maturing. This is far more important to the success of a marriage than any other factor.

Look for someone who puts Christ first in his or her life and lives it out consistently. Pray for God to lead your steps and to grant you wisdom as you make decisions about a mate (James 1:5-6), based on God’s clear commands. Be patient and wait for the Lord’s time and his best choice for you.