Is your marriage out of order? Put it back in God's order.

Married couples are called to emulate the relationship Christ has with the Church. What did Christ do for the Church? He died for us. He sacrificed his life for us. He became selfless and served his Church.

Husbands, you are the Christ in the marriage. Wives, you are the Church.

Husbands, you are called to sacrifice for your wife. Die to yourself, become selfless and serve your wife in the marriage.

Wives, you are called to respond back with your love, appreciation and service in return. Your marriage then becomes one of mutual loving and serving each other.

Four Areas to Examine in Your Marriage
Husbands, you can begin the process of putting your marriage back in order.

1. How do I serve my wife in our household?
Do I help with the cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, children, etc? The more you help your wife, the more she will begin to feel positive about your behavior and begin to recognize your effort to serve. Ask her how she wants you to help her. Ask her what she wants you to do first. Remember, service isn’t about what you want -- it means learning how to serve her.

2. How do I serve my wife emotionally?
Do I spend time with her everyday? Do I listen and support her? Do other things come before my spouse? Is she the priority in my life, or do I spend too much time away from home? Am I on the computer or watching TV when I am home not engaging in conversation with my wife? Do I say hurtful things and do I lash out my anger towards her? Women want to know that they have someone who will listen to them, support them and be available to them.

3. How do I serve my wife physically and sexually?
Do I show her affection? Do I tell her I love her? Do I go to bed with her in the evening? Do I view pornographic material and withhold my affection? Do I ask her what her needs are, or do I assume she is only there to meet my needs for affection?

4. How do I serve my wife spiritually?
Am I the spiritual leader of my family? Do I pray with my wife? Do I go to church without complaining? Do I help bring my children to Christ? Do I teach my children the faith? Do I pray for my wife? Do I complain about going to church or not help her with the children?

Wives love your husbands, and appreciate his sacrifices for you. Do you thank him for working to provide for the family? Do you appreciate the things he is doing around the house? Are you showing physical love in return? Are you praying for your husband?

When a husband becomes the Christ in a marriage, the wife becomes the Church. In return, she begins to open herself up emotionally to her spouse and give love through physical love and acts of service.

Your marriage can than become one of self-giving and serving each other. Your marriage will be in order -- God's Order.

Next issue: We’ll take a closer look at how wives can help build a strong marriage based on God’s blueprint for spouses.