Happy Spouse Equals Happy House

Matthew 22:34-40 holds perhaps one of the most important teachings of Jesus and is home of His summation of the law and how to please God. Matthew 22:34-36: “Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced (muzzled) the Sadducees, they gathered together. One of them, a lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law], asked Jesus a question, to test Him: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”” (AMP). Jesus’s reply is iconic: love God and love others!

1. Love God: Matthew 22:37-38: “And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment”” (AMP). This is the first part to understanding the law and how to please God. This profound directive, given by Jesus himself, can also serve as the bedrock upon which all our relationships are built. It is through our deep and abiding love for God that we find the inspiration and strength to become better partners.

When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, we are fundamentally transformed. This love becomes a wellspring of virtues that we bring into our relationships. It inspires us to be patient, kind, and compassionate, mirroring the divine love we have experienced. It teaches us humility, helping us to put aside our ego and selfish desires for the sake of our partner's well-being.

2. Love Others: Matthew 22:39: ““The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]’” (AMP). This is the second greatest commandment that fulfills the entire law. This is the second core aspect of becoming a better partner. Effective communication is another essential aspect of being a good partner, and the Jesus underscores its importance. This teaching extends beyond just our neighbors in the literal sense; it encompasses all those we interact with, how much more with our partners!

When we truly love our neighbors as ourselves, we develop a profound sense of empathy and compassion. We put ourselves in their shoes, seeking to understand their perspectives, feelings, and needs. This empathy becomes a cornerstone of our communication, allowing us to speak and listen with genuine care and consideration.

In the context of being a better partner, loving your neighbor as yourself means treating your partner with the same love, respect, and kindness that you desire for yourself. It challenges us to communicate not just to be heard but to truly connect, to offer the same support and encouragement we would wish to receive, and to resolve conflicts with empathy and understanding.

In essence, loving your partner as yourself creates a powerful synergy of love and reciprocity in your relationship. It inspires a cycle of kindness and consideration, where both partners continually uplift and support each other, fostering a deeper and more fulfilling partnership. So, in the spirit of this timeless biblical principle, we are not only challenged but also inspired to be better partners, recognizing that as we love our partners as ourselves, we contribute to the creation of a harmonious and loving partnership guided by the wisdom of the Scriptures.