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CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE MARRIAGE ENCOURAGEMENT PODCAST!
In this week’s episode of the Marriage After God podcast, we talked about something that greatly impacts marriage: God’s calling. As we shared in week 19 of our devotional series, every single believer has been called by God — and that includes you and your marriage.
For many couples, the word calling feels reserved for pastors, missionaries, or people with impressive gifts. But Scripture says otherwise.
The Bible reminds us:
“For consider your calling, brothers… God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise… God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–29)
God doesn’t call the qualified — He qualifies the called.
And Ephesians 2:10 makes it clear:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
You are His workmanship, and your marriage is not random—it was designed with purpose.
One of the primary callings of every Christian marriage is holiness.
1 Peter 1:15–16 says:
“As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct… You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
To be holy means to be set apart. If our marriage looks exactly like the world’s — same priorities, same reactions, same patterns of sin — we are missing something.
Holiness in marriage looks like:
We also read in 1 Thessalonians 5:19:
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
When we ignore conviction, resist correction, or blame our spouse instead of owning our sin, we quench what God is trying to do in us. But when we respond with humility, transformation begins.
Jesus said:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
As husbands and wives, we are called to love — not just emotionally, but biblically.
That means:
This kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It comes from abiding in Christ and letting Him renew our minds (Romans 12:2).
Scripture also gives clear direction for husbands and wives.
Husbands are called to:
Wives are called to:
Together, we are called to:
One of our favorite reminders is Philippians 1:6:
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
You don’t have to feel ready. You don’t have to be perfect. God is still working.
What a beautiful ministry and worthy call — not only have we been saved and transformed, but we’ve been invited to participate in the work Jesus came to do. When we walk in holiness, love, humility, and obedience, our homes can become living testimonies of the transforming power of Christ.
Biblical calling includes:
Key Scriptures:
Big Idea:
Your calling begins with belonging to Christ.
“As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” — 1 Peter 1:15–16
Holiness means being set apart. If our marriage looks exactly like the world’s — same bitterness, same pride, same selfishness — we are missing something.
Holiness in marriage looks like:
Key Reminder:
We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Our marriage should reflect that light.
Jesus said:
“You shall love the Lord your God… and… love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:37–40
Love is not optional in marriage. It is a command.
Biblical love includes:
When loving feels hard, it’s often because our flesh wants comfort and control. But God calls us to transformation:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
Sometimes we resist God’s calling through:
But Scripture reminds us:
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” — Philippians 1:6
You don’t have to feel ready. God is still working in you.
The Bible clearly calls husbands to:
The Bible calls wives to:
Together, husband and wife are called to:
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Walking in your calling will draw you closer to God, closer to your spouse, and closer to the purpose He designed for your family.
This week:
If this episode encouraged you, share it with another couple and start a conversation about what it means to live out God’s calling together.
Continue reading...
```
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE MARRIAGE ENCOURAGEMENT PODCAST!
In this week’s episode of the Marriage After God podcast, we talked about something that greatly impacts marriage: God’s calling. As we shared in week 19 of our devotional series, every single believer has been called by God — and that includes you and your marriage.
For many couples, the word calling feels reserved for pastors, missionaries, or people with impressive gifts. But Scripture says otherwise.
You Have a Calling from God
The Bible reminds us:
“For consider your calling, brothers… God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise… God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:26–29)
God doesn’t call the qualified — He qualifies the called.
And Ephesians 2:10 makes it clear:
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
You are His workmanship, and your marriage is not random—it was designed with purpose.
Our First Calling: Holiness
One of the primary callings of every Christian marriage is holiness.
1 Peter 1:15–16 says:
“As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct… You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
To be holy means to be set apart. If our marriage looks exactly like the world’s — same priorities, same reactions, same patterns of sin — we are missing something.
Holiness in marriage looks like:
- Repenting quickly
- Refusing to justify sin
- Choosing humility over pride
- Letting the Holy Spirit convict and correct us
We also read in 1 Thessalonians 5:19:
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
When we ignore conviction, resist correction, or blame our spouse instead of owning our sin, we quench what God is trying to do in us. But when we respond with humility, transformation begins.
We Are Called to Love
Jesus said:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
As husbands and wives, we are called to love — not just emotionally, but biblically.
That means:
- Loving when it’s inconvenient
- Forgiving when it’s undeserved
- Serving when we’d rather be served
- Putting our spouse’s needs above our own
This kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It comes from abiding in Christ and letting Him renew our minds (Romans 12:2).
Specific Callings in Marriage
Scripture also gives clear direction for husbands and wives.
Husbands are called to:
- Provide (1 Timothy 5:8)
- Lead (Ephesians 5:23)
- Live with understanding (1 Peter 3:7)
- Not be harsh (Colossians 3:19)
Wives are called to:
- Be helpers (Genesis 2:18)
- Respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33)
- Cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3–4)
- Model faithfulness (Titus 2:3–5)
Together, we are called to:
- Become one flesh (Genesis 2:24)
- Raise our children in the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:4)
- Shine as lights in a dark world
Answering God’s Call
One of our favorite reminders is Philippians 1:6:
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
You don’t have to feel ready. You don’t have to be perfect. God is still working.
What a beautiful ministry and worthy call — not only have we been saved and transformed, but we’ve been invited to participate in the work Jesus came to do. When we walk in holiness, love, humility, and obedience, our homes can become living testimonies of the transforming power of Christ.
Episode Summary
1. What Does It Mean to Be Called by God?
Biblical calling includes:
- A sense of purpose
- A responsibility and invitation
- Belonging to God
- Being called up into maturity
Key Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 1:26–29 — God chooses the weak and unlikely
- Ephesians 2:10 — We are His workmanship, created for good works
Big Idea:
Your calling begins with belonging to Christ.
2. Our First Calling: Holiness in Marriage
“As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” — 1 Peter 1:15–16
Holiness means being set apart. If our marriage looks exactly like the world’s — same bitterness, same pride, same selfishness — we are missing something.
Holiness in marriage looks like:
- Quick repentance
- Humility instead of defensiveness
- Refusing to justify sin
- Not quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Key Reminder:
We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Our marriage should reflect that light.
3. Called to Love Like Christ
Jesus said:
“You shall love the Lord your God… and… love your neighbor as yourself.” — Matthew 22:37–40
Love is not optional in marriage. It is a command.
Biblical love includes:
- Patience and kindness
- Forgiveness
- Endurance
- Choosing selflessness over pride
When loving feels hard, it’s often because our flesh wants comfort and control. But God calls us to transformation:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
4. Don’t Resist the Call
Sometimes we resist God’s calling through:
- Pride
- Blame-shifting
- Ignoring conviction
- Fear of inadequacy
But Scripture reminds us:
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” — Philippians 1:6
You don’t have to feel ready. God is still working in you.
5. Specific Biblical Callings for Husbands
The Bible clearly calls husbands to:
- Provide (1 Timothy 5:8)
- Lead as head (Ephesians 5:23)
- Live with understanding (1 Peter 3:7)
- Not be harsh (Colossians 3:19)
- Delight in God’s Word (Psalm 1)
6. Specific Biblical Callings for Wives
The Bible calls wives to:
- Be a helper (Genesis 2:18)
- Respect their husband (Ephesians 5:33)
- Cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3–4)
- Model faithfulness (Titus 2:3–5)
7. Shared Calling in Marriage
Together, husband and wife are called to:
- Become one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:8)
- Raise children in the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:4)
- Reflect Christ to the world
Final Encouragement
“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Walking in your calling will draw you closer to God, closer to your spouse, and closer to the purpose He designed for your family.
Call to Action
This week:
- Read through the Scriptures listed above together.
- Identify one area where you need to grow in obedience.
- Pray for humility and courage to answer God’s call.
- Ask each other: How can we better reflect Christ in our marriage?
If this episode encouraged you, share it with another couple and start a conversation about what it means to live out God’s calling together.
Continue reading...
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