BIBLICAL PATHWAYS TO A FRUITFUL MARITAL LIFE

REASONS FOR MARRIAGE

"And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?" (Matthew 19:4-5).

God’s plan, purpose and provision at the beginning - Genesis 2:18, 20, 22, 24; Matthew:19:4-5; Ephesians 5:31.

Divinely ordained necessity – Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 5:23; 1Corinthians 12:21; Psalm 68:6.

God setteth the solitary in family”, Man and woman are mutually dependence for is the man without the woman, neither is the woman without the man, in the Lord. (1Corinthians11:11).

Preservation of purity in the church and in the community – 1Corinthians 7:2, 9-11; Matthew 19:10-11; 1Timothy 5:9-15.

Marriage is one of God’s methods to keep men and women free from fornication and Immorality. God make no provision in His word for young people to have friends for Fleshly pleasure. Secret love among youth is evil in the sight of God.

Completeness and fulfillment of true living – Ephesians 5:23,29-31; Ecclesiastes 4:9-11. Marriage provides needed fellowship, comfort, companionship and partnership.

Complement to God’s work of procreation – Genesis 1:27-28; 9:1; Psalm 128:3; Malachi 2:15; Ephesians 6:1-3

MARRIAGE – A DIVINE INSTITUTION OF GOD

"And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him...And 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 a woman, and brought her unto the man. 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 2:18, 21-24).

Marriage is a divine institution ordained by God to fulfill a divine purpose. Before the institution of marriage, God made necessary preparation in order for the man to enjoy the best.But today in various segments of the society, many get into this sacred institution unprepared and this has brought confusion into many lives. Ironically, many of the young people wishing to get into marriage do not even know the meaning, purpose and necessary preparations for the marriage.

Marriage is cleaving together of a man and a woman in harmony with God’s plan for their lives, having obtained their parents’ consent, thus becoming one interdependent being all the remaining days of their lives. Since preparation prevents poor performance, It is very important to prepare well for such a life long experience if the relationship is to be enjoyed.

The marriage ordinance is God’s institution that must be executed in God’s own way. The conjugal union at the Eden before the fall remains the abiding model for all believers to emulate. The rash of divorces across the world can never alter the standard that God ordained. God unalterable injunction for marriage remain one husband, one wife; no remarriage.

A true child of God will never opts for divorce in spite of problems. God’s grace should enable us to work on our marriages, and forgive all offences. “…With God all things are possible”(Mark 10:27).

MARRIAGE - NUGGET FOR SINGLES

BUCK – PASSING

My Beloved, Don’t blame the Lord That His proven double-edged sword Appears too blunt for your sorrow And the ageless balm of Gilead Does nothing on your marital woe.

Remember, dearly beloved, remember When He spoke times without number “Tis not good for the man to be alone” Let him ask for help meet for him Let her ask for the crown of her own Well said! You declared.

But ere not I have increased in knowledge, And my barns are over-filled without measure. Anyway, none appear good for the Holy wedlock of my dream. For Peter was hasty and Paul a kill-joy Phillip was restless always willing to “go ye”, Mary takes risks – going to the tomb alone.

Having had some evils could she ever be free? All other women are no better: Thus you put off thoughts of marriage Until you pass’d the prime of age, And your prayers, now more of haste less of faith, Fall off the Lord of heaven’s ears, For he gives nothing – only by faith.

Yet the Lord is full of mercy And to entreat him is so easy Be sorry for your pride of life And the flinty hardness of your heart You’ll receive your Adam or Eve.