Marriage becomes Christian when the marriage relationship is entered into in the light of Holy Scripture, when the purposes of marriage specified in Scripture, and a Christian pattern for life, are accepted by husband and wife. This happens when the individuals recognize each other as persons for whom Christ died and they desire to live together as heirs of the grace of life. To them marriage is more than consent and sexual union. Marriage is a sacred trust, and fellowship honorable and God-pleasing as they give Him the glory. (I Cor.10:31)

Christians are united in marriage, not only by their mutual vows but most importantly by their common faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior from sin and as the Lord of their lives. Their lifelong companionship and mutual assistance is enriched by a spiritual factor which is specifically Christian: the self giving love Scripture talks about. (I Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 5). This Christian love breaks down all the outside things that would be a detriment in modern life and which would contend against Christian marriage ethics.

The ambivalence of emotion (love and hate) makes romantic love an inadequate basis for marriage and demands that the REAL BASIS for marriage be faithfulness to holy vows and faithfulness to lifelong commitment to Christ and each other. This is a faithfulness both to Christ and to each other in mutual trust, the foundation of fidelity. Only by such love and loyalty can they bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

When looking for a life long spouse the number one consideration therefore should be their Christian faith in the Lord Jesus as Savior and Lord of their life. As we are not married in heaven, God, however, will surely indeed bless such union until death parts you.