I was talking to another preacher recently about evangelism. As we discussed different ideas regarding evangelism, he mentioned,
Our marriages should be our business cards.
Aaron Kemple
I loved what he said. Our marital relationships are a great way to show others our love for God, trust in His word, and the gospel. The love, mercy, and forgiveness we give to our spouse will have a big influence not only on their soul, but ours, the souls of our children, and others.
While it is good to pass out visitor cards and invite people to our worship services, those who know us (family, friends, brethren, neighbors) may be more influenced by what they see in our marital relationships. Yes, it is still true that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 Yet sadly, the lack of health in a marriage can get in the way of sharing the gospel.
Paul gave the church in Ephesus instructions regarding the marital relationship. “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” Ephesians 5:22-26.
The way we treat our spouses is a way for us to adorn the doctrine of God. Paul told Titus, “…And not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” Titus 2:10. Marriages that lack love, compassion, grace, mercy does not make the doctrine of God attractive. Those that have these qualities on the other hand does.
What do our children see in our marriages? What do we see in our marriages as a congregation? What does the world see? Most important, what does God see? Marriage is a blessing! Our marriages will make a great business card. People will see a difference when our hearts are filled with God’s word. When people ask us how we do it, we can point them to Jesus and His gospel!
Benjamin Lee