What’s “being a faithful Christian” got to do with it?

David Sproule

In 1984, Tina Turner released her song, “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”  Use that song title as a springboard to think about a couple getting married.  A young man and a young woman meet and begin to build a friendship, which leads to a more serious relationship.  Over time, they decide to get married and start a family.  If someone were to ask— “What’s love got to do with it?”—that person would be derided for asking such a silly question.  “Love has everything to do with it!”  But, is one’s tender love—that feeling of deep emotion, intense longing and immense happiness—all that matters and the only driving force behind thoughts and plans for marriage?

When two young people get married, all they can usually think about is “how much they love each other” and “how much they want to be together.”  If someone were to ask one of them regarding their future spouse—“Is he/she a faithful Christian?”—the response might be, “What’s being a faithful Christian got to do with it?”  The answer to that question is, “EVERYTHING!”  Love for each other is vitally important, but a marriage will only be truly successful and happy if love for God and devotion to Him is the primary motivating factor (Matt. 6:33; 22:37).