The Promise of Marriage
On June 19th, 1976 we promised “to love, honor and cherish each other”.
That promise has been graciously extended into 36 years of marriage. Over the past few days, we have retreated to our brother and sister-in-laws mountain home to reflect upon those truths and promises. The Lord God in His goodness created us male and female, and gave us the gift of marriage that we may share on this earth, the unity of perfection in the life to come. God’s word tells us that for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and they will become one flesh. What a glorious promise Marriage is a blessing of God. Even though we encounter trials during our earthly lives, God wants to perfect us for our eternal destiny as believers. That is His promise to us. So marriage is a time to mold together two into one, to learn from each other, grow and mature with each other, and to discover with each other, the truths of love and forgiveness.
God’s Word teaches us those promises…”Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; loves does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails, For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13)
Proverbs 24:3-4 says: "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures." So we have taken time to look back, look around, and look forward to the promises we are keeping. It is a yearly event for us to evaluate our promises and renew them to one another. It is also a time to set some short term and long term goals- a time to reflect, relax and remember.
How is your marriage going? Take time to celebrate and evaluate. God’s promises are such a blessing!
Marriage is a wonderful institution. It is sad that the politics of today have seen fit to think negatively about marriage in so many ways. I'd like to say congradulations to Prof and Mrs. Baldwin for a long and fruitfull marriage.
ReplyDeleteGood morning,
ReplyDeleteThis is not my comment on the blog yet I just want to test the blog to ensure that I can make comments and they show up.
Crystal Baptiste
Dr. Baldwin
ReplyDeleteI have often thought that people put more effort, time and energy in the wedding event and declare that all those efforts are proof positive of the love the two people have for each other. No, that‘s called event planning. That’s the stuff that gets you to the chapel the following will keep you married.
The process of marriage is the most difficult yet the most rewarding process of a lifetime. It will reflect whether or not it has been cultivated with love, all basis of it. (Eros-makes you feel good, Phileo-you like each other, Agape –God’s love makes you both good enough for each other, and Storge- makes you keep the promise of keeping the marriage a priority)
A marriage is like tendering a flower garden, cultivated with rich soils from God's Word as a growth foundation. Weeding it with truth, love, patience and boldness is necessary to get rid of anything that threatens its livelihood. Watering it with eternal and everlasting hope gives it continued life. This process contains much more and must be done daily 24/7/365.
The results will bring forth a beautiful reflection of the hard work that has been invested, with ongoing celebrations for 36, 50, 60 years plus of love and joy.
Winnie
Winnie, I love your comment. I could not agree with you more. After two failed marriages, there was no way I that I could/would consider getting married again without knowing for sure that I was forgiven for all that had gone on before. My father (earthly one) raised me to believe in promises. He would always say a man's word is his bond. My dad did not make promises lightly or take them lightly, but there was so much he didn't understand about relationships, that he caused suffering and suffered himself. Neither he or my mother were educated people. He was self-taught mainly. He only completed 2 years of formal education. He learned through life and living the life he had. I wish he and my mother were alive today to hear and see some of what we are blessed with each day. But, they stayed together, through the violent times, sickness, and the better times. I'm just thankful I can remember those. Their garden needed much tending, they figured it out before the end of his life. My mom had many years to regret after his passing. Love kept our little family together. Now I get to understand why my marriages failed.
ReplyDeleteElia lockear .I thank Lord every time I have a chance to read the encouraging words doctor Gerry and sister sister Sheryl are provided for us.Thank you very much. I have being marriage for eight year, I have to learn to love my husband everyday,even though some time it is hurt to forgive and fell in love again, but when we remember all that we where done ,but God forgive us even when go back and sin again, God love his never left us.We should not left you spouse just because of your filling of what your spouse done,you must pray so Lord can touch the heart of your spouse so we are both can felling love again,because marriage is a gift from God this is why all time for my husband in our marriage.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that “marriage is a blessing of God” and it is not to be taken lightly. As it has been well stated, “marriage is a time to mold together two into one, to learn from each other, grow and mature with each other, to discover with each other, the truths of love and forgiveness.” What a gift from God, to enter into marriage with someone who has been designed for you, by God. I believe that it is God’s plan for marriage to be a covenant relationship – whereas when it’s all said and done…the promises, for example, “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live” – these promises when made, are to be kept regardless of any circumstances that may come about. I also agree that God’s intent once creating male and female was for them to be joined together as “one flesh” in marriage. I believe that God has the highest regard for permanence of the marriage bond because it is essential to His plan for family.
ReplyDeleteMarriage is not a cute thing to do. The marriage vows are promises made before God meant to be kept no matter what. Married people should be encouraged to live joyfully with the one they love, to spend time with one another and enjoy each other’s company. Enjoy each other as God’s gift, keeping in mind that your marriage is part of God’s divine plan.
"GwenJ"
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