Topic: God’s Standard for Locating a Marriage Partner (3)
Dear Reader,
So far, we have seen the importance of spiritual compatibility and the help of God in your choice of a marriage partner. This week, we shall be examining The Four-Fold Purpose of Marriage, as revealed to us in the Word of God. Understanding these purposes for marriage is of utmost importance, because to marry and miss it is to enter into a life full of frustration and disappointment – setting the stage for great marital unrest.
Years ago, Myles Munroe made a profound statement when he said, “Where purpose is not known abuse is inevitable…” The word “abuse,” is the combination of two English words: abnormal and use. When a person does not understand the purpose of a thing, they almost always abnormally use or abuse that thing and marriage is not excluded here.
Partnership
One of the Four-Fold Purpose of Marriage primarily is partnership. We could also call it, companionship. When God created us, the Scripture says: We were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14). Part of our make-up is: God DID NOT create us to be alone. He specifically created us for companionship and declared this revelatory truth when He stated: It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (Genesis 2:18).
The yearning we have for companionship is part of our spiritual DNA. God designed the partnership of marriage to fulfill that yearning. This divinely inspired partnership was designed to fortify both participants, in ways that mere words cannot aptly express or define.
It is God’s intention that marriage should offer companionship. The composition of man is such that requires constant fellowship. Loneliness has been discovered to be one of the causes of mental retardation and suicide in many. Marriage is, therefore, a means of fulfilling the need for fellowship.
It is unfortunate that many couples are missing out on this purpose for marriage. Even though some couples dwell together under the same roof, constant quarrels and rancour pull them kilometres apart; so they live together but yet alone. Such marriages are always empty: a pointer to frustrations and possible divorce. This is not the will of God. God expects you to have sweet communion, not only with Him, but also with your partner. As a matter of fact, it is difficult to enjoy fellowship with God, when your fellowship with your spouse is disrupted.
True companionship will add meaning to your marriage. Your spouse is not just your room-mate, but also your closest friend. Your spouse ought to be your best consultant and closest associate in all things. When this happens, you will find pleasure and fulfilment in your marriage relationship.
Pleasure
One of the ways this partnership fortifies, invigorates, relaxes the participants is through sexual relations. The truth is: God has designed us with a sex drive, and He intended for man and woman to express and joyfully fulfill their sexual desires with each other, through the rites of a covenant marriage.
He programmed our bodies to respond to touch, taste, sight, sound and aroma. Apart from preventing temptation, both husband and wife should satisfy their sexual urge. They are provided with legitimate avenues to release their sexual desires.
This is why God frowns at adultery, because your partner should be enough to satisfy you. I often say humorously, that there is nothing another man or woman has that your partner doesn’t have. All you need is to be content with your spouse, and you will enjoy the blessings of marriage.
Procreation
Another vital purpose of marriage is procreation: the conceiving and bearing of offspring. The Lord God revealed this part of the four-fold purpose of marriage, when He released these commanding words: And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth… (Genesis 1:28 (Amplified Bible).
Also in Jeremiah 29:5-6, God’s Word says: Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. His vision is to fill the earth with righteous men and women, who bring forth righteous children. The Lord intended on parents instilling in their offspring – godly morals and family values, (Proverbs 22:6). His plan is for this model of the family to multiply and flourish, until the earth is filled with men and women who reverence and obey His Word.
Purity
In His infinite wisdom, the Lord God purposed for marriage to protect us from the consequences and devastation of a society engrossed in moral chaos and sexual immorality. His Word says: Honour marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex (Hebrews 13:4 (The Message).
Make no mistake about it; God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. Marriage was and is the only pathway the Lord has ordained for a man and woman to engage in sexual relations (1 Corinthians 7:2 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The power to live a life of purity is the privilege of those born again. Are you born again? This is by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready to be born again, please say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”
If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now 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).
Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 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).