Interested in a Christian perspective on expressing grace in marriage?
As Christians, we are frequently encouraged to express thanks for the blessings we receive, for example as passages in Ephesians and Colossians show, particularly knowing that what we can do is insufficient to warrant the grace of God. In relationships, expressing thanks, or more specifically, gratitude, for what one’s partner has done is an important act and helps to cultivate a close and rewarding relationship.
You may also wish to consider how you view your marriage. The difference between gratitude and indebtedness can be understood as similar to the covenant and contract perspectives of marriage. In a covenantal relationship, behaviors are valued unconditionally; whereas in a contract relationship, there is an expectation of reciprocity, in which one gesture is expected to be paid in return.
