God’s plan for
marriage is so very different from what we see around us. Let me share some
of God’s truths. I hope they might be a challenge and encouragement to you.
Marriage is designed to be a representation of God’s relationship
with His church. Here are some of those comparisons from Ephesians
5: 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 every thing. Husbands, love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it. (verses
23-25) For no man ever yet hated his own
flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even
as the Lord the church. (verse 29) This
is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ
and the church. (verse 32) Knowing that, when we have a doubt in our
minds about how we should act with our spouse, we can ask ourselves how Jesus
acts toward His church. Our role as women is the same yielding that is required
from the church to Christ. Our submission should be in joyful obedience, as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22)
Marriage is a permanent bond. The marriage
covenant has always been the gluing together of two lives. From Adam and Eve
until today, the idea of marriage is to leave and cleave. Therefore shall a man leave his father and
his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Don’t you think this is an interesting
verse, since neither Adam nor Eve had a mother or a father? This is written for
us! Jesus said, Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder (Matthew 19:6).
Biblical marriage is always the union between one man
and one woman. (There are a few cases in the Bible where a man has
multiple wives. This is clearly not God’s plan and always brought problems to
the family. There is never a biblically approved marriage besides the marriage
of one man and one woman.) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and
shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 1:24. Similar verses are in Matthew 19:5-6; Mark
10:8; 1 Corinthians 6:16; and Ephesians 5:31. It certainly looks like God wants
us to understand the definition!) Marriage always blends two totally different
people into one unit. This is good for them, as they complement each other, and
it’s good for future children, as one balances the other.
Marriage is the most beautiful and intimate expression
of love. How fair and how
pleasant art thou, O love, for delights! (Song of Solomon 7:6). Nothing else compares with the pure and
committed love between a husband and his wife. No casual pleasure matches the
marriage relationship, both emotionally and physically. Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love
is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals
of fire, which hath a most vehement flame (Song of Solomon 8:6).
Marriage gives both husband and wife the opportunity
to exercise grace on a daily basis. As we have received grace from
God, so marriage is an expression of that grace. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving
honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the
grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (1 Peter 3:7). Two
lives blended together, expressing the grace of God. Each considering the other
and putting the other first. This is the ministry of marriage. The husband gives
100%, and the wife gives 100%. Husbands,
love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it (Ephesians
5:25). She that is married careth for the
things of the world, how she may please her husband (1 Corinthians 7:34b).
Marriage is giving everything for the
good of the other and for the good of the family.
Marriage provides a home and training for children.
Thy wife shall
be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive
plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that
feareth the LORD (Psalm 128:3-4). In the Bible, children are always
blessings from God. It is our responsibility as parents to train them. My son, hear the
instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother (Proverbs
1:8). Train up a child in the way he should go: and
when he is old, he will not depart from it
(Proverbs 22:6). Marriage provides stability and security for children, because
they see a daily example of commitment, respect, and love between their mother
and father. They receive unconditional love from their parents. They are given
direction, boundaries, and responsibility. A good home is like a slice of
heaven on earth.
God officiated the
first wedding immediately after Eve was
created, and ever since, God has blessed married people. He even uses
marriage as an object lesson about how He loves us, His church, and how the
church responds with glad obedience and submission.
And God blessed
them (Genesis 1:28a).
May God bless your marriage!