The gift of Marriage

1 Cor. 7:2-3: “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.”

Marriage is a precious gift from God. It is a union between one man and one woman before God and consecrated before each other. Marriage is a sacred act that carries the weight of God’s blessing and even human law. When a couple joins together in matrimony it is a serious and binding union.

This is more then a ceremony or an old fashion ritual. When you vow your life to another and say the words “for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part” you are taking part in an awesome covenant. This agreement between one man and one woman is done so in front of a cloud of witnesses. You also vow before God almighty that no matter what you will go through as a couple that you will be joined forever.

Paul is giving instructions about marriage to the Corinthian Church. In this scripture, Paul was saying Husbands and Wives are to treat each other with love and respect. Our marriages should represent the love of Christ. However, many times they represent the rest of the world around us. If we as Christ-followers do not treat our marriages any different than the world, what is the difference? If unbelievers see the church world’s disregard for the sacred covenant, we lose our witness as Christ-followers. Our marriages should be living parables of how God loves us, even when times are tough. God does not give up on us when things get hard, why are we so easily willing to give up on our marriages? We, who have entered into marriage, have entered into a vow before God.

For the person who maybe did not get it right the first time there is always the grace of God. He is in the business of restoration. If you did not get it right the first time, make sure you get it right the next time. God loves you and wants the best for you.

Application – Marriage is a living parable of God’s love for us.
Challenge – Live the vows that you made before God. Promises should be extremely hard to break.

Tomorrows Readings:
Old Testament: psalm 124-127 New Testament I Cor. 7:1-24