Unfortunately, one of the more common problems people face today is a problematic marriage. Relationships between husbands and wives inevitably reach a point where it just isn’t fun anymore, where it actually takes an effort, or where we realize the honeymoon as ended. It is at this point in many marriages that problems begin to surface and often begin to suffocate the happiness from the matrimony.

There are a variety of reasons that put a marriage in desperate need of restoration. I wish I had this entire newspaper to address those issues, but with space-limitations in mind we will address what I believe are the underlying principles and what God says about relationships and marriage. Trust me, this is good stuff; so good, that we will discuss them in separate articles. This is the first of a few articles on “marriage.”

Perhaps the most strategic place to start is with you, yourself, and you. You need to really examine yourself first (before you try to fix your spouse) and know whether or not you have your very own, individual, one-on-one relationship with the Christ. If you “profess” to be a Christian, you need to understand that the success and/or quality of any relationship with another person is directly connected to the quality of your own relationship with Christ. When you we are out of fellowship with Him you will be out of sorts, off-key, below par, and off-color. Trust me, it will then contaminate your relationships with others, especially those you love and hold dear.

So, before you go any further, you must (and I can’t stress this enough) you must know first and foremost know that you have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The result of that relationship and fellowship with God will enable you to see others, love others, respond to others, respect others, and communicate with others on a level far greater you’re your own. From this point forward, we’ll assume you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. (If not, then a happier marriage is not your most important issue. Your eternal security is PRIORITY ONE)

For the person who is blood-bought, born-again, believer, forgiveness is a privilege we enjoy in Christ and the position we humbly accept as His followers. Ephesians 4:32 tells us to, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” WOW! What a statement. If we are believers, we know what it means to “forgiven in Christ,” and we are expected in like manner to forgive others. No relationship can be restored without forgiveness. Forgiveness is a choice we make because of the reality of our own forgiven state.

So before the next article prints and we really get into this marriage restoration discussion, examine your heart. Know first that you’ve been saved. If you haven’t been saved, then seeking Christ as savior is your first priority. Don’t wait! Do it now! The bible says that today is the day of salvation. If there is one thing you should know, it’s this: one second after you die it won’t matter how happily married you were or weren’t because the only thing that will matter at that point is whether or not you were in a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t wait! Do it now!

By the way, if you are seeking a church home for whatever reason, if you want to come to a place where God has shown up every single week and is currently changing lives and saving souls, if you desire to involve yourself with a community of believers who are loving, devoted, and dedicated, if you are longing for an atmosphere of worship and adoration to Christ and Christ-centered preaching and teaching, then please consider visiting our church. Sunday school starts at 9:15 and Worship begins at 10:30. We’d love to have you. No dress code required, simply come as you are.

Richard Bates is pastor of Fair Ridge Baptist Church in Stringer. He can be reached at richardandginny@comcast.net