Marriage and the family is a wonderful institution, but one that the world is seeking to redefine and reinvent. I understand the hurts of the broken family and the single parent family and I am sensitive at how we can seek to help, but when the world seeks to make up a definition of Marriage and force that on us, it is time to be vocal and speak forth the truth from God’s Word. My calling as a Minister of the Gospel is to “proclaim the truths found in the Holy Bible”. So let’s begin our study by looking at Marriage and the Family from a Biblical Viewpoint. I am not asking anyone to agree with me and I am sure many will want to disagree. If you read articles from both sides of the subject, they can be very convincing in their arguments. But, in order to do this, the Bible has to be left out. The Bible, God’s Word, is very clear on the subject of Marriage as an institution. So let’s walk through the Holy Scriptures and follow these thoughts.
We begin in the book of beginnings, Genesis 2:18, 24
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a helper suitable for him."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother
and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
This was the beginning of God’s concept of Marriage. Marriage is a divine institution designed to form a permanent union between man and woman that they might be helpful to one another (“a man…united to his wife”). Moses presents it as the deepest physical and spiritual unity of man and woman, and monogamy as the form of marriage ordained by God (also see Ephesians 5:31). Without the marital tie the inhabitants of this world would have been a mixed multitude. It is true that man has disobeyed God’s original plan and substituted his own thoughts, but that does not change God’s Word on the subject. God created Male and Female for the purpose of populating the earth and enjoying one another in a Marriage Commitment. (Genesis 1:26-28) Without this form, the family circle, family instruction, and parental love and care would have been altogether unknown. When we try to think outside the moral absolutes of God’s Word and reason within ourselves what is right and wrong that is where the trouble begins. I am not wanting to get into some political or societal debate with these truths, but asking believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to simply study the Word of God and accept and proclaim the basic doctrine of Marriage found within. Genesis is clear! God says it, I believe, and that settles it…
Dr. Baldwin I agree that God 's law if marriage should be our way of building healthy strong families and stable communities. Growing up with two God fearing parents I must say I had a very supportive environment where the image of marriage was very positive . I sincerely feel if we humbled ourseleves and remained obedient to God and His word our families would be committed to strong marriages
ReplyDeleteAs an engaged woman preparing for my own wedding in June 2012, I find myself very discouraged about the societal desecration of marriage. Why is marriage not properly respected and valued in society as it once was?
ReplyDeleteAs you state, if marriage is a divine institution designed to form a permanent union between man and woman, than it's critical for people (believers and nonbelievers) to fully understand the biblical stance/purpose of marriage.
God makes it clear that man should not be alone in Genesis 2:18 but that’s not an isolated word. There are countless examples in the Bible of marriages such as Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Boaz and Ruth. In addition, there are other passages in the Bible edifying the mystery/sanctity of marriage such as Proverbs 18:22, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 31:10 reads, “House and wealth are inherited from fathers,” it is written, “but a prudent wife is from the Lord”.
As Christians, we must understand his word to build stronger personal and societal foundations. More Christian couples must speak boldly about the covenant of love between God and each other.
Marriage must be restored across the nation and world by reading family blogs like this one, church and community support and most importantly, prayer.
Absolutely without a doubt, there should not be a dispute when it comes to obeying God’s Word. And in order to obey the Word of God, as you have clearly pointed out, we must study the Word of God and be willing to accept and proclaim the basic doctrine of marriage found within His Word. I believe that family is one of our most important responsibilities to achieve whereby we leave a legacy that honors and glorifies God. Family life should be a commitment to one another that creates a warm and loving environment in which the family grows together. At the heart of that commitment for the family is dedication to the marriage relationship. After all, God is about relationships. And just as God is committed to us, we should be committed to marriage and family. The commitment should mean to be there for each other and not abandon each other. God must be the foundation for marriage and family.
ReplyDeleteJoshua 24:15 remind us that we should acknowledge God in our decision making when it comes to our family living. Joshua declares, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (NKJV).