[af_vet_1981]

There are two prerequisites for success in a licit marriage, once formed.
1. the husband needs to love the LORD more than he loves his own life.
2. the wife needs to love the LORD more than she loves her own life.

1. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
2. If ye love me, keep my commandments.

[rusty schucklefurd]

Re: “There are two prerequisites for success in a licit marriage, once formed. the husband needs to love the LORD more than he loves his own life. the wife needs to love the LORD more than she loves her own life.”

Amen to all you posted. I would still add that if one wants joy in their marriages - it really, really helps if they “like” each other. Liking is different than loving. You don’t have to have either to have a marriage, but if you do you are doubly blessed.

Many husbands and wives love each other, but don’t like each other. That was my point, and my advice to young Christian unmarrieds was to be sure your prospective husband or wife was not only someone you “loved” (which is an act of the will, by the way), but also someone you truly liked, form a real friendship with (which is not something that is necessarily an act of the will).