Hey guys, does marriage mean anything anymore? Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that far too many lifelong commitments have eroded into often ugly break ups and painful divorces. Perhaps I’m just at that age, but there’s a long list of couples I know that are throwing in the towel. And for various reasons.

Long term marriage used to be the rule, not the exception. But somewhere along the way, things changed. And not for the better I recall that even when I got married 27 years ago, the divorce rate was running somewhere near 50 percent. I’m guessing it’s higher than that now.

Marriage is a sacred bond between a husband and wife. A lifelong commitment. But for whatever reason, the old “until death do us part” has transformed into “until we get tired of each other” or “until we hit too rocky a road”.

Men, it’s time we man-up. I understand there are instances when dissolving the marriage bond is the only answer. But I believe there are far more cases when it simply becomes an easy out. Why struggle and beat my head against the wall? We’ll simply end this thing and I’ll try again. Or not.

Why are so many marriages on the rocks or already over? I’m convinced that too often such splits are the result of couples unwilling to sacrifice and work on their relationships. And it is work. But the rewards that are the result of that labor are superior.

As I mentioned, I got married 27 years ago. I think that qualifies by today’s standards as a “long lasting” marriage. Has it always been easy? Of course not. Is the relationship worth it? You better believe it.

Here’s my number one piece of advice: Your wife better be your best friend. Now, don’t get me wrong. My wife is still my sweetheart, lover, partner, spouse and better half. But she’s also always been my best friend. We love each other, but it takes more than that. I’ll brag on the fact that I found someone extraordinary. (And there are others out there) But my wife will be the first one to tell you that our marital longevity has taken sacrifice and effort. There will always been bumps along the way. It’s how you steer around or through those bumps that determines whether you stay on that “until death do us part” roadway.

My wife could have left me for some of my bone-headed behavior over the years. I thank God she did not. I thank God that she has the capacity to love and forgive. She found something in me worth hanging onto. Throughout all our various trials and challenges (and all marriages have them) we have worked together to sustain our relationship.

And you know what? When your relationship endures some of those toughest of times, it has a tendency to strengthen the union.

Jesus Christ demonstrated what a groom must commit to a marriage. The church (explained as the bride of Christ) rejected, refused, scoffed, ignored, and rejected Him.  She even sentenced Him to death. Did Jesus give up on her? Not hardly. He did what any good man should do, He fought for her to death – even when she was the one taking Him there.

This is why we recite the vows. This is why we think hard before agreeing to marry someone. This is why we keep our pants on until we are certain we can commit to a family. This is why we spend time with our future brides outside of the bedroom before marriage. Sex won’t sustain a marriage between mismatched people.

It’s too late for some of you, because you walked into a marriage before you were ready… Christ can become the center of your relationship and example… and you can save your marriage.  Some of you have done all you can and now are looking to move on with no chance of repair – Christ is available for both of you in restoring life.  But to those considering the leap, consider Christ’s example of commitment. Are you ready for that?  If not, don’t do it until you are ready.