 |
| Pastor Faith Oyedepo |
MARRIAGE: A LIFETIME COVENANT BY PASTOR FAITH OYEDEPO
Dear Reader,
I welcome you to this month’s teaching. I want you to be rest assured that God is going to visit you this month. This month, I shall be discussing on Marriage as a Lifetime Covenant.
Today, I want to start by looking at the origin of marriage. In Genesis 2:18-25, we see God initiating the idea of male and female relationship, in which both will serve as succour to each other. The purpose of God in marriage is to create a help that is suitable, adaptable and complementary, to establish unity and for procreation.
What is Marriage?
Marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is coming together of two people of opposite sex, with a view to building a God-centred home. Marriage is not the culture of any country of the world, rather it is heaven’s culture. Marriage is God’s idea, not man’s idea. The Word of God says: And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man (Genesis 2:21-22).
God in His infinite wisdom knew that man would have some needs and desires to satisfy, which cannot be satisfied by animals and other things He created. So, He brought out the idea of marriage, and formed a helpmeet for man.
It is important for us to know that in the beginning of the institution called marriage, God did not introduce marriage between people of the same sex, but between a man and woman. People of the world have perverted what God Himself has formed for man and his wife to enjoy. In the beginning, it was not so. Homosexualism is really growing fast in various countries of the world today. God’s rule has been laid down concerning this abominable thing. The Word of God says: Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination (Leviticus 18:22).
Scripturally, marriage is for a lifetime. It is, therefore, not to be entered into without knowing what you are going into. It is very important for you to know what marriage is and is not, before you say, “I do” to anyone. You need to hear the testimony of this sister.
“When I was ready for marriage, I noticed that some things were working against me. But I was not a serious Christian then. However, when I dedicated my life fully to Jesus Christ in 1992, it became obvious. But I lacked wisdom and counsel and I was emotionally immature.
All the same, I got married, and the Lord has been merciful. But on joining this church, through the different ministrations, my life and marriage acquired meaning and direction. Now my marriage is established and I am free from all manner of oppressions of the wicked.
My family has been increased remarkably and I now apply myself to the wisdom of God that He has imparted to me by reason of the teachings and ministrations I get here!”
Opara, C. C. N.
God ordained marriage for man and woman to give and receive satisfaction and to meet the needs and desires of one another. This marriage relationship is very unique since it involves the spirit, soul and body of two individuals. As long as the couples are born again and their lives have been transformed, they now become new creatures and therefore belong to the same spiritual Kingdom.
Our father, Abraham knew the importance of this and he told his servant to go to his people and get a wife for his son. The Word of God says: And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh. And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell (Genesis 24:2-3).
In the realm of the soul, both husband and wife should have the same mind concerning issues of life, especially the way they live, as regards the doctrines of the Holy Bible. There must be an agreement between the couple, before they can really walk in the principles of the Bible. The Bible advises: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3).
It is important therefore, for us to know that there is no agreement between light and darkness. So, as a believer in Christ that is regenerated, you are not permitted to even consider an unbeliever for marriage. The Word of God says: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).
To have a good marriage and a successful family, you need to first have a good stand with God. To do that, you need to confess your sins and surrender your life to Him. Do you want to do so now? Say this prayer in faith:
Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today as a sinner. I believe You died for my sins and rose on the third day. Forgive me of my sins. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Make me a child of God today.
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, and conselling@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).
