MARRIAGE IS GOD'S IDEA

As Jesus continued His teaching about marriage, He said, "But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female'" (Mark 10:6 NIV). The beginning is the point in time or space at which something is initiated. So marriage was introduced or initiated in the first part or earliest stage of God's creation, which makes it quite significant in God's plan or agenda for mankind.

Reference: Genesis 2:22-24 New International Version (NIV) 'Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man." That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.'

Indivisible union is God's original plan concerning marriage and its rooted in the creation story of Genesis chapter two because it marks the coupling of two persons and the beginning of Godly offspring. Malachi 2:14-15 (ESV) says, 'But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth...though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring...' Here the Scripture is talking about oneness by covenant which results in Godly offspring.

So why marriage? Why does God make two people one flesh? Lets consider the term 'twinning'. Twinning and trinity are quite related terms, in regard to oneness. Twinning, in respect to marriage, means the union or coupling of two persons, while trinity is the union of three persons of the Divine. In marriage, the husband and the wife become one, just like the three persons of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. That's the reason God's idea is for one woman and one man to be married for life.

In trinity, we have God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, yet they are one. Same way, as male and female, they look different in terms of sex, yet they have been united by God to form a single entity and remember, each one is created in the image of God. Now, even though they are different in terms of physical appearance with different experiences and different tastes, they are one entity in marriage.

In marriage, learning to blend these differences through mutual love and submission reflects the mystery of God Himself, as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This means that a good marriage is built on mutual interest. Jesus said, 'I and my Father are one (John 10:30 KJV). That's a statement that denotes inextricable oneness and it's exactly God's idea for marriage. When we function by this idea in marriage, we get God's result.

Jesus also said in John 12:49 (ESV), 'For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment - what to say and what to speak.' Same way, couples who turn to Bible verses to draw their inspiration about marriage often walk in God's original plan concerning marriage. So if you want to experience God's best in your marriage, start following His original plan in the Scriptures, which is based on supreme authority. A marriage that is firmly founded and built on God's plan and His wisdom will last and endure patiently, no matter what comes against it.

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 18:22; Mark 10:8-9; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; Ephesians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:31; Colossians 3:18.

Guided Prayer: Precious Father in heaven, thank you for exposing your children to a stronger bond of unity in marriage covenants. I pray that marriages among your people will fully reflect your divine intention and transmit your knowledge from one generation to another. By your Spirit, my eyes are open to the importance you've placed on marriage, grounded upon your Word as the absolute authority and I establish it as a testimony in my life in Jesus' Name, Amen!