God’s View Concerning Marriage (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: God’s View Concerning Marriage (Part 3)
Dear Reader,
We have seen so far in this series that God’s view for marriage is good and it is also to provide help for man. This week, I will be sharing with you on one of the most important instructions in the Bible for finding a mate. It is one you must have in marriage to build the foundation of the home with Christ. I am teaching on being Unequally Yoked.
A complete bond in marriage is based on the foundation that each partner is “equal” in their belief and vision for their life in Jesus Christ. God’s Word says: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).
In a bid to find the right partner, the Bible clearly states that there cannot be a successful relationship when both partners do not view things from the same spiritual perspective. No child of Christ can expect to find his or her perfect mate in a shrine or cult because light and darkness have nothing in common. The Believer and unbeliever each serve different masters.
Also Read: Dominion In Your Family Life (Part 3) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Some people try to flout this law. They think God wants to deprive them of what they like. No, He only wants what’s best for you. Too many, after it is too late, have discovered that they can’t bend God’s rules and expect to enjoy their marriages.
As a born-again child of God, look for one who is also a believer. Make sure that he (or she) understands what it means to have Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. No matter how appealing or suited you think he or she is, you are not to compromise this first and major rule or you will be signing in for heartache!
Some people have concluded that since they have waited for so long and have not got the right person to marry, they are ready to marry whoever comes, even unbelievers. Such people have forgotten that how long they have waited is not as important as how successful the marriage will be. Take, for instance, someone who is 30 years old before marriage and may probably live up to 90 years on earth. If such a person rushes into marriage with an unbeliever, it implies that he or she will have 60 years to live with an unbeliever.
Now, the journey before him or her after marriage is longer than the one he or she has gone through. Wisdom, therefore, demands that you seat down to think before rushing into a thing that will not last. God’s Word says:… None shall want her mate (Isaiah 34:16). If He says none shall want her mate, it means He has a mate for everyone. Remember, God cares about you and He cannot forget you; wait for His time.
A sister I know in church, who out of desperation got herself married to an unbeliever, found out too late how unwise her decision was. She was contemplating leaving home because they both were living like roommates. Although they were living in the same house, they were not speaking to each other. That is certainly not what marriage is all about. God has reserved something wonderful for you. Why not patiently wait and obediently follow through and you will get your desired partner in Jesus’ Name.
Someone may want to ask if one has been in courtship before conversion, should the courtship continue after the salvation of one of the parties or not? It is so simple. When one of the parties (or both of them) gets born again, the best thing to do immediately after conversion is to break the relationship. This is because the relationship started when both parties were unbelievers.
This is not to say that it is impossible for God to bring them together again. If you are a serious child of God serving the Lord sincerely and in truth, He will guide you.
Since old things are passed away and all have become new at salvation, that kind of courtship should be done away with. Such individuals were in the kingdom of darkness when the relationship started, but now that one or both are saved, there is a translation into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, which is a new kingdom altogether. There ought not to be any carry-over from the old kingdom to the new one.
In case you are out there reading this material today and you claim to be born again, you still engage in fornication, you better stop it before it stops you. Fornication is a sin against your own body. It is you opening yourself spirit, soul and body for the devil to come in and destroy you. Health-wise, spiritually and also mentally, you are damaging your system. Please don’t do it. Marriage is for life. You have all the time you want with your spouse under a legal and spiritual covering.
If you have offended God in this area, don’t lose hope. God is a merciful Father. If you confess your sins and forsake them, He will cleanse you from unrighteousness. This is what being born again is all about. If you want to be born again, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
