God Made Marriage For Your Good
Marriage Vow
Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh – Gen 2:24. Live happily with the wife you love . . . The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil – Ecc 9:9. Since they are no longer 2, but 1, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together – Matt 19:6
When single and living pretty much like a fool, I regularly fell in and out of love. This caused and resulted in much mental torment. God has a different view of LOVE. So let’s refer to our owner’s manual – the Bible. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (God breathed) and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness – II Timothy 3:16.
There are 4 words all translated “Love” or “Charity” from the Greek in the New Testament:
- Storgay – a strong like
- Eros – lust (includes selfishness)
- Fidal – brotherly love
- Agape – ardent and supreme, like God’s love for us
A God kind of Love in marriage is Agape. It’s defined in I Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud, rude or demand its own way. It’s not irritable, keeps no record of wrong, isn’t glad about injustice but delighted in truth. It never gives up, loses faith, but is hopeful and endures through every circumstance. WOW! Love like that will make a terrific marriage!
How about sex outside of marriage? God says IT’S NOT OK! It is made for marriage only. Marriage is honorable among all and the bed undefiled; BUT fornicators (sex between unmarrieds) and adulterers (at least one of the partners is married) God will judge – Hebrews 13:4.
So, what’s God attitude about divorce? (It’s what people do when they “fall out” of lust (Eros)! God hates divorce – Malachi 2:13-16. Verse 6 says God’s attitude hasn’t changed since the beginning of time! So, He still hates divorce, even while our society’s attitude changes daily.
Because the Bible is real, it shows good and bad examples of marriage (See Song of Solomon and I Samuel 25:2-42). So, if your marriage isn’t what you’d like it to be, maybe it’s time to take a fresh look at YOUR marital responsibilities. Here are God’s guidelines to improve it. Note: It’s no accident God instructs women to respect their husbands and husbands to supremely love their wives – Eph 5:22-33.
Ladies
- Be a Virtuous Wife – Prov 31:10-31
- Fulfill Your Responsibility – Titus 2:4-5, I Tim 5:14; Col 3:18; Eph 5:22-24, 33c
- Be Loyal – Ruth 1-4
- Win Your Husband Over – I Peter 3:1-6
- Be a Great Wife – Prov 12:4; 19:13b
Men
- Don’t Be Lazy, Work – Prov 6:6-11
- Avoid Immoral Women – Prov 5:1-14; 20-23; 6:23-35; 7:5-27; 9:13-18
- Don’t Hinder Your Prayers – Col 3:19-21 Eph 5:25-33; Prov 5:15-19
- Realize What You Have – Prov 19:14
Do you know God’s vision for you? For I know the thoughts (and plans) I think (have) for you, says the Lord (that’s God), thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I WILL listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, WHEN you search for Me with all your heart – Jeremiah 29:11-13.
God created Man and Woman to be together for good. Hebrews 13:4 says God feels marriage is honorable. Two are better than one. Proverbs 18:22 says He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.
If you’ve found a good thing – cherish it! Honor marriage and you will prosper!
June 3, 2010. I found your comments on scripture quite interesting — have you designed a version to be given to Protestant newly-weds?
Having enjoyed 57 years of wonderful marriage prior to death of my one-and-only, I wonder if you have comments regarding dating and possible remarriage. I shall watch for a response. Thanks.
Also, as one who could never sing quite as well as I would like, do you have a guide for improving — especially of church hymns.
That’s an interesting possibility, but as of this moment I hadn’t considered it. We have too many other marriage subjects to write about first. Thanks for your very kind comment. God Bless You!