Marriage

Bill Brinkworth

Marriage was originally intended to be a covenant between a man, a woman, and God. God’s plan is that the husband and wife promise to be faithful to each other and remain together until “death do us part”.

MarriageAlthough the figures may not be accurate, a low figure estimates that 33.4% of marriages do not last for 15 years. Somewhere along the line, God’s original intent for marriage has been ignored and not honored by many. The sacred pledge between a husband and wife has not been kept in too many situations. In place of marriage, a growing number of couples do not even make the promise anymore and just live together. Again, God’s plans for cohabitation are ignored.

Too many do not even understand what God’s plan about marriage is. Here is some of what God’s Word says about marriage:
* When a man leaves his father’s and mother’s home and marries a woman, they are no longer two people but one “person”. That certainly should leave most of the “mine”s out of married people’s conversations. In its place, there should me more “ours”, because the two are bonded together. It was that way since the first marriage of the first man and woman.
“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:23-24
Also: Mark 10:7-8

* There was no “trying out“ a marriage. If the sin of fornication had been committed, the man had the responsibility to make the woman his wife.
“And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.” Exodus 22:16

* Marriage is honorable.
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4

* It is a good thing to be married. God is pleased with that relationship.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Proverb 18:22
“I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” I Timothy 5:14

* A good wife is hard to find, and one of the most important relationships a man can have.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Proverb 31:10

* A Christian should only marry a Christian.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14

* Touching the opposite sex can lead to sin. To avoid that trespass, a man and woman should marry.
“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” I Corinthians 7:1-2 Also: I Cor. 7:9

* A husband and wife should show kindness to each other.
“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” I Corinthians 7:3

* A married person’s life and body are not their own, but their spouses. Most split-ups involve selfishness somewhere. Fewer divorces would occur if more mates would not worry about their own needs, but about meeting the needs of their partner. If both in the marriage would make this their purpose, all needs of both would be met, and happier, content marriages would be the result.
“The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” I Corinthians 7:4-5

* Although we are not under Old Testament law, the principle still applies that a husband and wife are still bound together until death separates them.
“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Romans 7:1-4

* Although God’s commands are often disregarded and man’s law often is obeyed more, God says marriage should be permanent.
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:9
Also: Matthew 19:6

* Paul suggested that it would be better not to be married, if one were not already married., but not everyone is cut out for the single life-style. He also reminded the married that they must remain married.
“For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: …” I Corinthians 7:7-16 Also: I Corinthians 7:28

* Marriage is for this lifetime and will not continue in the next life for those couples that are going to heaven.
“For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.” Mt 22:30 Also: Mark 12:25

 

Sadly, many marriages have failed. More would last a lifetime, if both men and women would put God first in their lives, and live the married life as God intended it to be.

 “The highest happiness on earth is in marriage. Every man who is happily married is a successful man even if he has failed in everything else.”
— William Phelps 

 

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #190.

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