Being Privately Christlike to One Another in Marriage. Submission in marriage, as described in the Bible, is not about mistreatment or lack of personal gain. It is about Christlikeness, like Christ’s submission to His Father, even to the point of death. Jesus did not complain about the criticisms he endured, the oil press of Gethsemane, or the suffering of Golgotha. He remained faithful to submit to His Father through all things. Marriage roles, according to Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5, are an opportunity for learning Christlikeness in your private world by showing God’s love toward one another even when no one else is around. Husbands love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Wives submit to their husbands “as unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). Her submission is an example of how the church submits to God. Living a Purposeful Life Beyond Desires. Married life is not about two people competing to fulfill their own personal ambitions but two becoming one, in union with God. Eventually, you may have natural children, and you will have spiritual children. They will be able to learn about honoring God by watching how you honor one another in Christlike love.