It has been said that marriage teaches us loyalty, forbearance, self-restraint and a lot of other qualities we wouldn’t need if we had remained single. It seems that more are choosing to postpone or even forsake marriage than at any time in recent history.
Paul warned against getting married, telling us in 1 Corinthians 7:28, “But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned …Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh.” He gave as his primary reason for marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:9 writing, “ But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” (with passion) He also said that an unmarried person can give, “undistracted devotion to the Lord.” ( 1 Corinthians 7:35)
As we think about the inordinate number of divorces today, could it be that many who have married should have remained single?
Marriage is not for those that think it will make them happy, but rather for those who are already happy. It’s not for those with serious, unresolved psychological issues, but who are mentally and emotionally healthy. One who will be willing to divorce for trivial reasons should never marry. Marriage is for those who commit to stay married. A believer should never marry an unbeliever, but both should be born again and come from compatible faiths.
Those who have been recently divorced should wait for remarriage until they have properly healed. Also, marriage should only take place after an acceptable level of premarital counseling.
You see, marriage is a privilege that should be looked upon as highly esteemed and not entered into frivolously. It is sacred to God, as it should be to us as well. We bring shame upon Christ when we treat marriage as though it has little value.
Marriage is not for everyone … but Jesus is! Unfortunately, everyone will not receive his message of salvation. Everyone will not choose to become part of his bride … the Church. What about you? An earthly marriage can be a beautiful thing, but we should never consider marriage until our relationship with Christ is where it needs to be. First things first … right?
I can remember in the early 70’s sitting in my car by the bay crying my heart out to God saying things like: I can’t live without this man Lord, I would rather die than live alone, I know I’m not good enough for him but, I’m not pretty enough but, please God change his heart about me, on and on wishing all the while I had courage enough to drive into that bay and end it all.
God being the Father he was and is loved me so much that my prayer wasn’t answered. I think about that moment and time and thank God for saying no, the man was an atheist. As I look back what kind of life would I have had, certainly not a good marriage, nor a chance to grow in the Lord. I wouldn’t have gone to church to worship, I would not be the person I am to, and not likely healed from all the pain.
Although I finally married I still chose the wrong partner, but I wanted a child so bad I chose the first man that would have me. I did pray for God’s approval but, I didn’t wait for a real answer. Lesson learned.
If only we all would stay in God’s word, also seek a good Bible study group to learn what his word really means (like the words of Paul above) there would be less unhappy marriages, less divorces, less destroyed lives of children being subject to those who should have never married in the first place.
Thank you for the lessons you give each week,
Jenny