The foundation of God is endangered in our time. A writer asked whether marriage still has a place in today’s society. Many people assume that faithfulness within marriage is unsustainable and has therefore become obsolete. Open and secret insinuations that marriage is outdated, at least as far as faithfulness is concerned, are everywhere. This way of thinking arises because marriage is seen as an ancient social order imposed on people by the church. Since a strong anti-Christian wave has swept over Western society, people want to erase everything with roots in the Bible. However, the abolition of the sanctity of marriage has produced far more harmful consequences than one could have anticipated. The absence of a father figure in many homes causes women and children to live in poverty, which increases the likelihood that these children will end up in the justice system.
Society today would benefit from returning to God’s original institution of marriage and living according to its design and sanctity. Before any government structure existed, God established marriage and the family. This was not done on a whim to restrict human freedom and happiness. The motive behind setting limits on this human relationship was to promote human happiness and joy. No other relationship offers the same level of intimacy and satisfaction as a healthy marriage between a man and a woman. Solomon encourages us in Proverbs 5:18: “Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.” Failure to do so has ruined many homes and marriages, harming innocent souls. Within the confines and protection of a godly marriage and family, noble characters are built that contribute to the well-being of society.
Christians should strive to demonstrate to the world that God’s institutions are beneficial and that living according to His design leads to genuine happiness. It is important to establish fundamental principles in marriage in order to receive the blessings God has in store for those who faithfully follow His Word.
First, we must recognize that God, not people, designed marriage. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper for him.” Understanding marriage as God intended will inspire us to seek His wisdom to live the way He wants us to in this relationship. Since God designed marriage, He also knows what is needed to make the relationship harmonious. Unfortunately, people seldom consider what is necessary to live in harmony together because selfish desires often rule the heart.
Marriage is a relationship in which a husband and wife complement each other. It is not a battlefield where two people compete for control and superiority. God created men and women to complement each other, forming a perfect union together. The Bible says as much: Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This establishes the foundation for a beautiful, intimate relationship between a husband and wife, in which they seek to build each other up. This relationship reflects the divine relationship between Jesus and His bride, the church. As such, it should be beautiful, with God at the center and love experienced to the fullest.
Peter Ens
Aylmer, ON
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