Articles
The Divine Design For Marriage
The Divine Design For Marriage
by Clay Gentry
The Divine perspective for marriage,
“A man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Matthew 19:5)
Society has abandoned the idea that marriage is a commitment to be nurture over the long-term, and has instead embraced the notion that marriages are causally disposable. Nevertheless, the God who designed humanity laid down that man and woman should come together in an indissoluble bond of marriage. In this “one flesh” covenant, the original unity of male and female is restored. To break this bond is tantamount to tearing apart a single body, “Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). For further reading see: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-25; Ephesians 5:25-33
The Divine Design For Husbands
Heavenly perspective for husbands, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” (Ephesians 5:25)
Christ’s self-sacrifice was the strongest love ever demonstrated in this world. Thus, the apostle holds up the conduct of the Redeemer toward His church as the model for a husband to imitate in loving his wife. Therefore, marriage is more than a sacred covenant with one’s spouse. It is, in its fullest, a spiritual discipline designed to make men more like their Savior. So husbands, apply the words of our Lord today, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). For further reading see: Mark 10:42-45; Ephesians 5:25-33
That Devine Design For Wives
Heavenly perspective for wives, “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:24)
The church is the glorious bride of Christ. Thus, the apostle holds up the church’s submission to Christ as the model for a wife to imitate in loving her husband. The sacredness of a wife’s submission to her husband is the visual demonstration of the love between the church and her Savior. Wives remember, true beauty is internal, “a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God beautified themselves, by submitting to their own husbands” (1 Peter 3:4, 5). For further reading see: Ephesians 5:25-33; 1 Peter 3:1-6
Heavenly perspective for couples,
“Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’” (Genesis 2:18)
Marriages would be stronger if husbands and wives realized they were made to complement each another, not compete with each other. In observing Adam’s loneliness as “not good,” God was commenting on his incompleteness. So, with Eve, God created a complementary partner for Adam. Therefore, each sex is tailor-made by God for the good of the other. So, work together in your marriage remembering, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil” (Ecclesiastes 4:9). For further reading see: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:4-25; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Heavenly perspective for children,
“Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother.’” (Ephesians 6:1, 2)
Obeying and honoring our parents is one of the highest callings and the greatest tasks we face in life. While there are no perfect parents, (just as there are no perfect children) they deserve to be respected, valued and cared for by their Christian children. These godly acts of love will take on different forms at different stages of our lives; from simple obedience, to care-taking. So, honor your parents, “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land” (Ephesians 6:3). For further reading see: Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:1-9; 1 Timothy 5:1-8, 16
