The Importance of a Faithful Spouse

Sam Rainer

Two major changes in my life occurred simultaneously. On New Year’s Eve 2006, I tied the knot. A little over two weeks later I went from working in the financial markets to becoming a full-time pastor. And in order to make things interesting in newlywed life, my wife and I decided to sell our house and look to buy another during these transitions.

I am obviously still green at both pastoring and being a husband. I assure you, my wife and my church make me a one blessed man.

Many adjectives describe my wife: encouraging, thoughtful, caring, stubborn, intelligent, independent, lovely, consistent, beautiful, talented, and godly to name a few. But Erin’s one quality that brings me more joy is her faithfulness.

A recent Pew Research study reveals several findings about state of marriage in our society. What struck me most in the list of stats were the elements making the greatest contributions to successful marriages. The runaway leader in successful marriages: faithfulness.

[Despite my shortcomings, thank you, Honey, for being so faithful to me. Yes, I still may occasionally drink straight out of the milk container. I’ll probably still eat right out of the ice cream carton when you’re not looking (with the good spoons). The mall will always make my eyes burn. Hiccups will continue to annoy me. And I’ll probably still sneak out of bed late at night to watch the History Channel every now and then.

I know we’re just beginning. I know we have a long time together in front of us. But no one else would I want to accompany me in this amazing journey we call life together.]

I am beginning to have a feeble understanding of why God made the comparison of the church and Christ with the institution of marriage.

Erin is my beautiful bride. Christ is the Bridegroom of the church.

Faithful spouses are crucial in the survival rates of marriages.

And faithful Christians are crucial to the survival of the church.