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| Author; Pastor Faith Oyedepo |
Topic: Keys to a Lasting Marriage [Part 3]
Dear Reader,
Marriage is meant to be beautiful! You can only enjoy the beauty of it, if you have the right keys in your hand. There are families that have peace, joy, fulfilment, harmony and happiness, everybody bursting with the joy of the Holy Ghost just because they have the right keys in their hands.
However, to enjoy a lasting marriage, there must be a need to follow God’s Fundamental Principles for Marriage.
Following the introduction of Eve to Adam, God laid down the principles that are to govern all future marriages. God’s Word says: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh (Genesis 2:24).
When the Pharisees challenged Jesus on the grounds for divorce, He took the opportunity to re-emphasize God’s plan for marriage. He pointed out that the divine blueprint for marriage was given at the time of Creation and quoted from Genesis 2:24, thereby reiterating its importance. Jesus said: Haven’t you read, …that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate (Matthew 19:4–6).
With these famous words, Christ endorsed marriage as a divine ordinance established at Creation and highlighted its essential characteristics.
A man Leaves his Father and Mother
At the heart of marriage is the idea that a man leaves the family into which he was born, and forms a new family with his wife. This is very important and needs to be clearly understood; marriage creates a new family as husband and wife leave the family of their parents and start a family together. A man must leave his parents, with the view to establishing his own home and family. In order to cement the unity in marriage, the man must leave his father and mother so that he can give his full devotion to his wife.
A Man is United to his Wife
In marriage, a man is united to his wife. Their unity is based upon vows to live together as husband and wife and to be faithful to each other, whatever the circumstances, until death do them part. Husband and wife are, in fact, entering into a covenant relationship that cannot be broken, except by death, even should one partner prove unfaithful. In their heart and conscience they know that the bond created by marriage is for life. The marriage union provides the fullest expression of mutual loving companionship that human beings can experience in this world. The union created by marriage is not only physical, but is also an emotional and spiritual unity of profound dimensions, as a husband and wife become one flesh.
A Man is to be cleaved to his wife
The word “cleave” is used in the older translations of the Bible and means, “to cling to or keep close to”, implying loyalty and affection. Cleave suggests that marriage involves a partnership commitment to which the husband and wife must be loyal; the biblical concept suggests the idea of being super-glued together – bound inseparably by a commitment to a lifelong relationship. It follows that a man and woman who have been glued together by marriage, cannot be easily separated – indeed, separation is likely to cause a great damage.
You need the grace of God to operate the fundamental principles laid down by God for a successful marriage. To access this grace, you must first have a relationship with God by surrendering your life to Christ. You surrender by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this new birth experience, please say this prayer:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan, to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again.”
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, 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).
Click HERE to read other messages written by Pastor Faith Oyedepo
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