Marriages Made in Heaven?
Marriages Made in Heaven?
Satan has launched an all out attack against our marriages, homes, and children. We must learn what the Bible says about how to achieve success in marriage. Marriage can be one of the most wonderful things, or the most miserable.
God designed the institution of marriage in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Today, more than half of all marriages end in failure. With these statistics, how can we build a relationship that will stand the test time?
Marriage is the only plan approved by God. From the very beginning, marriage was meant to be the marriage of one man to one woman. The book of Mark tells us:
"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.”
“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;” (Mark 10:6-7).
In today's society many live together without the bond of marriage. God's word is very clear concerning this arrangement.
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4).
Since God places such strict emphasis on marriage, shouldn't we take great care in our choice of a marriage partner? Many choose a new automobile with more thought than they choose a spouse. Perhaps this explains the high rate of divorce in America.
Although God provided an opt out choice for divorce, it was only because of man's sinful nature and hardened hearts. But, no one should marry with divorce as an option in a Christian marriage. Those who are divorced and considering marriage again should seek competent pastoral Council to help guide them in their decision.
Marriage is the only relationship where God sees two people as one person. We may not understand it, but nevertheless God sees a husband and wife as only one person in the bond of marriage. Rebellion against this principle leads to unhappiness and ultimately failure. Every husband is bound to display a love for his wife equal to the love Christ displayed for His church. This means a husband is to love his wife with a sacrificial, patient, serving, giving, kind of love. It's a forgiving and passionate love.
But what about the wife's obligation to her husband? The answer is found in Ephesians 5:22-24.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."
Many women have grown to resent this teaching mainly because they don't understand it. Submission has nothing to do with superiority or inferiority. The word submission means to "to place beneath." A wife must place herself under her husband's headship for the purpose of supporting him. God placed the husband as "head," not for his benefit, but for the benefit of his family.
For the Love of Children
One of the greatest obligations God has given to man is raising children. Parents have allowed themselves to grow more concerned over worldly material wants of their children than those which are truly needed.
God considered us as complete human beings while still in the mother's womb. In fact, the New Testament uses the very same word for a baby in the womb and the baby which has already been born.
God uses only one word to describe a baby, whether in the womb or out, for He knows both are human beings. There is no word in the Bible that corresponds with the word "fetus." This Bible truth must be understood to in order to counteract the idea of an unborn child not being a human life.
Satan desires to win the souls of young people and uses every weapon in his arsenal to turn them away from Christ. Unknowingly, many parents are assisting the devil by working long hours to provide needless material things for their children. The result is often children being left at home alone for long periods time.
Good character isn't part of a child's natural makeup. They are born with the same sin nature as adults. Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to train our children in the way they should go in life.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Character is taught to children simply by demanding they do what is right. Eventually it will become part of their nature. These are simple things like cleaning up their room and brushing their teeth.
Maintaining a Happy Marriage
Anyone of legal age can get married regardless of whether they have the maturity, responsibility and wisdom to do so. What's missing in many marriages today is romance. Romance requires an investment of time to keep it alive.
Likewise, if you want to be loved you must be willing to give it. A marriage needs to be filled with love for it is the bond holding two hearts together over a lifetime. Accept your spouse for who they are. Don't be negative, critical or uncomplimentary toward them. Don't try to mold them into what you want them to be.
Find ways to demonstrate your love. We must not only say it, we must show it. Show it by appreciation, small gifts and fond words. Like any fire it will go out if you don't add fuel.
