THE MYSTERY OF MARRIAGE
By Glenda Ward
McDowell County
In the coming months, couples are and will be making wedding plans. Our granddaughter is one of those glowing brides-to-be. Throughout the country, couples will pledge themselves to each other in marriage. Weddings will be taking place in chapels and churches, on beaches, in parks, and in backyards. Couples will promise to love and cherish each other and hear those God-given words, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Whatever the setting there is one thing almost every couple has in common: the anticipation of an extremely important event. There is excitement in the air, two people being joined together in marriage, soon to become one. In Ephesians 5:32 Paul refers to this as “…a profound mystery…”.
“For better or for worse, till death do us part.” These words are still heard at many wedding ceremonies today. Marriage is meant to be a covenant for life, the two being one. However, divorce is present in our world today because of the hardness of the hearts. Even though divorce is sometimes inevitable, God still says, “And did not He make one?” The bonding relationship and Spiritual purpose of being united in marriage in one flesh are found in Malachi 2:15-16. In flesh and in spirit they are His (the two become one person); “…That He might seek a Godly seed…” (Malachi 2:15), (raising children who love the Lord). The creation story tells of God’s plan that the husband and wife should become one (Genesis 2:24). Jesus also referred to this plan in Matthew 19:4-6. Take heed to the Holy Spirit of God – have the same commitment to marriage that God has to His promises with His people. Passion is needed in the marriage relationship to keep the commitment satisfying, but this passion should be focused exclusively on your spouse to nourish and cherish each other.
“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife,
and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery …” (Ephesians 5:31-32).
If your faith in Christ Jesus is real, it will prove itself at home in your relationship with those who know you best.
Maybe you have been married for many years. If you have a good marriage Thank God for making that “mystery” a part of your life. If you are soon planning to be married, make sure you understand something about the “mystery of marriage”. And if you are struggling in your marital relationship, don’t be afraid to admit that! There are a lot of good helps out there both in print and in Christian people you may know, and with Christian Counselors. But the most important is to ask God for guidance to find the help you may need.
A relationship with God strengthens marriages and helps give guidance when facing life’s challenges. Marriage is an institution ordained by God uniting a man and a woman in permanent bonds of love. God created marriage to reflect His image to produce a Godly Heritage. Your marriage, your covenant-keeping love, will be your greatest witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Marriage and family are about the Glory of God! We are God’s creation. He made us in His own image and we are to be His masterpiece. Identity rooted in Christ is key for anyone before entering into marriage.
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Glenda Ward is a member of Grand View Baptist Church in McDowell County and is a Christian writer/author of “Something to Think About” – weekly Christian Articles. She finds purpose and joy in writing Church Programs & Bulletins, VBS Material, Christmas and Easter Programs, Memorials, and now expanding to include weekly articles to other churches, as well as writings to include Christian-based articles on Relationships in Marriage; all material based on the KJV of the Bible. From personal experience, I hope to set an example of how to serve a risen Savior and live by the Holy Spirit with joy. My goal is to help people partake of the better option in life to experience the transforming power that is available in Christ Jesus today. You can read more, good, Christian news from Glenda HERE.
