Marriage – a precious gift from God
Editor: Marriage is a divine union between a man and a woman instituted by God in the Garden of Eden. The Bible says: âAnd the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he woman , and brought her unto the man.{{more}} 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 2:21-24
Marriage is a serious decision that should only be taken after earnest prayer, counsel and reflection by mature individuals who understand its requirements. God puts his blessings upon all who intelligently, in the fear of God and with due consideration of its requirements, enter into the Marriage relation. âWhen the sacred nature and the claims of marriage are understood, it will even now be approved of heaven, and the result will be happiness to both parties, and God will be glorified.â Ellen G. White, Adventist Home.
Despite the attacks by the Devil and his evil agents upon the divine institution throughout the ages, Marriage remains an honourable and a beautiful gift from God.
Since it is God (LOVE) who sanctions Marriage, then the foundational principle to a successful marriage is LOVE. A man and a woman can only understand how to love each other by looking to Jesus, who is God, and His relationship to His church. This is why the scripture instructs âHusbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for itâ¦For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord (loveth) the churchâ¦wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.â Ephesians 5:25-29, 22.
It is Godâs intention for marriage to be a life-long union and a symbol of the relationship between Christ and His church. âThe spirit that Christ manifests towards His church is the spirit that the husband and wife are to manifest toward each other. If they love God supremely, they will love each other in the Lord, ever treating each other courteously, drawing in even cords. In their mutual self-denial and self-sacrifice, they will be a blessing to each other.â Ellen G. White, Adventist Home
God intends that the marriage union would aid in the spiritual, social, emotional and intellectual development of man and woman. It is only the love of Christ dwelling in each heart that can make marriage what God designed it should be- â an agent for the blessing and uplifting of Humanity.â Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing.
Marriage is a gift from God that should never be abused.
âWhoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORDâ¦her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in herâ¦she will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.â Proverbs 18:22; 31: 10-12.
In marriage, God gives both the husband and the wife a unique opportunity to persistently help each other to reflect the image of Christ Himself. Christ himself explained the principles to be followed by each partner and the influence of their relations can cause persons to be drawn to salvation from sin.
Marriage is indeed a gift from God. A gift that brings pleasure to those who pursue it with maturity according to Godâs will. It is a wonderful way God has devised to teach us the lessons He desires His church to learn.
Shefflorn and Ann-Marie Ballantyne
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