Love Because: Devotions for In-Law RelationshipsSample

Love Them to Love Your Spouse Well

Husband and wife till death do you part. Permanent. Binding. The one-flesh union, the pinnacle of our earthly ties and worldly commitment. And yet, sometimes the temptation is to misuse this verse as an excuse to keep ourselves at arm’s length from our in-laws. At a distance from the people who have probably collectively prayed for our spouses more than anyone else has.

In not properly applying this verse, we risk weakening our marriages and the precepts God intended. Most of the time, marriage will create new human life, life that can be molded to the glory of God, the task given by God to Adam and Eve after He fashioned them in His own image. And in doing our part in extending the family line, our one-flesh union creates something that is not only sexual but also lasting, a unique individual and an eternal legacy in our child. And this is very good, because we can partner not only with our spouses but also with God in this important work.

So how can we properly leave and cleave? First, we shift our allegiance—our dedication is first to our spouse. In doing so, we should look for ways to uplift his or her parents, since biblically-minded in-laws advocate for their child’s marriage, not just for their child. We are a team, first as co-captains with our spouses, and ideally as part of a larger family team that is seeking to honor God and His commandments. Finding this balance is sometimes hard to do, but we don’t want to fall into the trap of misusing God’s Word to meet our momentary desires.

Application: How does the one-flesh union look like a way to honor your spouse when it comes to your in-laws?