Every marriage faces challenges, but some couples seem to navigate difficulties with greater resilience and joy than others. What makes the difference? While there are many factors that contribute to a healthy marriage, two foundational elements stand out as absolutely essential for any couple who wants to move from merely surviving to truly thriving in their relationship.
Why Your Salvation Matters More Than You Think
What Does It Mean to Be Saved?
The first foundational element is salvation through Jesus Christ. This means recognizing that Jesus is your Lord and Savior who came to earth, died on the cross, and took your sins upon himself. It’s acknowledging that no amount of good deeds can overcome our sins – we must trust and follow Jesus Christ.
When we accept salvation, something profound happens. Our old life, which was enslaved to sin and worldly patterns, is crucified. We are then resurrected into a new life in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit as new creations.
How Salvation Transforms Marriage
Marriage is actually modeled after Christ’s relationship with the church. Jesus loved the church so much that he laid down his life for it. In Ephesians 5:25, Paul instructs husbands to “love your wife like Christ loved the church who laid down his life for them.”
This divine design was God’s intention from the beginning when he created Adam and Eve. While sin damaged this perfect model, salvation through Jesus Christ restores it. When both spouses have accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, they have access to the power and example needed to love sacrificially and unconditionally.
The Power of Progressive Sanctification in Marriage
What Is Sanctification?
The second foundational element is sanctification – being set apart for God’s purposes. When we become new creations in Christ, we are no longer citizens of this world but citizens of heaven, journeying toward eternity with Jesus.
But sanctification isn’t just a one-time event. Progressive sanctification means we are becoming more like Jesus Christ each day, being transformed into his image through ongoing spiritual growth.
Why Growing in Faith Strengthens Your Marriage
Many couples who once followed Christ actively have allowed other things to become the lords of their lives – careers, family obligations, children’s activities, or other pursuits. Jesus becomes an afterthought, and church attendance happens only when schedules permit.
For a marriage to thrive, both spouses need not only salvation but also commitment to growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ daily. This growth happens in two key ways:
Growing in Knowledge
Spiritual knowledge grows through:
- Regular attendance at a Bible-teaching church
- Personal Bible reading and study
- Using Bible apps and devotional resources
- Following reading plans that take you through Scripture
If your church isn’t teaching the Bible consistently, consider finding one that does. You need spiritual nourishment, not just warm feelings or political commentary.
Growing in Wisdom and Experience
Practical spiritual wisdom develops through:
- Trusting the Holy Spirit’s guidance
- Putting biblical knowledge into practice
- Serving in your local church
- Using your spiritual gifts to help others
When you step out in faith and allow God to use you in service, your faith grows exponentially.
What the Research Shows About Faith and Marriage
The Statistics Don’t Lie
Studies consistently show that couples who attend church at least three times per month report:
- Greater happiness in their marriage
- More satisfying intimate relationships
- Better outcomes for their children
In contrast, couples who attend church sporadically (about once every two months) experience:
- Less marital satisfaction
- Higher rates of family dysfunction
- Divorce rates around 50% – similar to the general population
The Dramatic Difference of Commitment
Perhaps most striking is this statistic: couples who attend church three times per week and are actively involved see their divorce rate drop to approximately 12%. This dramatic difference isn’t coincidental – it reflects the power of God’s design for marriage and community.
The church is the only organization God created, with Jesus Christ as its head. When couples commit to being part of this community, they receive spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional blessings that strengthen their marriage foundation.
Life Application
This week, evaluate the foundation of your marriage honestly. If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, consider taking that step. If you have, assess whether you’re truly growing in your relationship with him or if other priorities have taken his place.
Commit to strengthening your spiritual foundation by choosing one concrete action: start reading the Bible daily, find a Bible-teaching church, or begin serving in your current church. Remember, a strong marriage requires more than good intentions – it needs the solid foundation that only comes through salvation and ongoing sanctification in Jesus Christ.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Have both my spouse and I truly accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
- What has become the practical “lord” of our lives – is it Jesus or something else?
- How are we actively growing in our knowledge of God’s Word and our service to others?
- Are we committed to being part of a Bible-teaching church community at least three times per month?
Your marriage’s strength depends not on perfect circumstances or flawless communication, but on the unshakeable foundation of Christ’s love and the ongoing transformation that comes from walking with him together.
Chuck Musselwhite 
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