Back in the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, Satan told Eve that she would not die if she ate the fruit. (Genesis 3:4) He said she would be like God and could then choose what was good and evil. Man has never stopped going that route. We read God’s word but only listen to the parts we like. Most of us don’t even dig in enough to find out what portions pertain to us.
At the first marriage God brought Eve to the man and they became one flesh. (Gen 2:2-24) God created marriage and the family structure long before any other type of governing institution.
Man has no right to change what God has created. What a marriage entails is spread throughout the Bible.
(Mark 10:6-9) God instituted marriage and gives it His blessing (Genesis 1:27,28; Hebrews 13:4)
Marriage is a lifelong commitment (Proverbs 6:18)
Husbands are to love their wives (as Christ loved the church) and wives are to respect their husbands. (Ephesians 5:28, 33) Obviously love is something that you have control. You are commanded to do it. Respect is something you must do to be obedient.
Husbands and wives are to be sexually faithful to each other in the marriage relationship (Leviticus 18:20) Prohibitions against fornication and Adultery are spread throughout the Bible in the old and New Testament.
This list could go on and on. Shouldn’t we be interested in what God has to say. Specific roles are detailed for men and women in the marriage relationship. (1 Peter 3:1, Ephesians 5:21-24, Ephesians 5:23) Instead of doing what God says it appears we are just making it up as we go. (IE: Eve in Garden of Eden above)
For many marriages it is about what you get and not about what you are supposed to do. When things get difficult or someone is not getting what they want, let us just end it and try again. Christian or not, marriages only last about half the time. Shouldn’t we be doing it God’s way. If you read the Bible carefully there is only one justification for divorce and then only one of the two can marry again without sinning against God. (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:3-9) To have a wife is a good thing. (Proverbs 18:22) To respect your husband is a good thing. How do we define Good anyway. By staying in the will of God. By doing things his way instead of making things up as we go or picking and choosing what part of the will of God we are going to pay attention to.
We can mess up. We can do it wrong. But we should strive for God’s standard. King David, a man after God’s heart, was an Adulterer. We must repent and move on as he did.
Marriage is a sacred gift and creation of God. It should not be taken lightly. It is a special covenant between a man and a woman, before God, and witnesses. According to God, your husband or wife is a special treasure. It is not good to be alone. (Genesis 3:16)
What is marriage without its creator. A special ceremony. Nothing changes. Life is the same before and after.
With God’s blessing a marriage can be a wonderful start to a family. A witnessing tool to others that see your example and an example of the love of Jesus for the church. We should rejoice in this wonderful institution of God and teach are children as they grow up into adulthood about this special blessing.
Who is responsible for the spiritual welfare of the children in the home?
Who is responsible for the spiritual welfare of the wife in the home?
What is a Proverbs 31 woman? Have you seen one?
Are there any good examples a marriage in the Bible? Does this mean they had no problems?
Have a wonderful day and do as Mary did. Ponder these things in your heart.
Comments