Pastor Faith Oyedepo

Topic: Understanding The Marriage Covenant

Dear Reader,

Marriage is not just the coming together of a man and woman for procreation, neither is it just for friendship. It should also not be seen as a business contract, where one family wants to join with another for the purpose of ensuring that the source of wealth does not dry up in the family. Furthermore, it is not a situation where a man desiring resident permit for a particular country, quickly finds and marries an indigene of that country to secure same. No! Marriage is a covenant relationship.

This month, God will be opening our eyes of understanding to the marriage covenant. I will begin my teaching by looking at “The Marriage Covenant”.

There are many people today, who get into marriage without understanding that it is a covenant. As such, they keep wishing that it will be glorious without knowing that they must first fulfilled their own side of the deal, before they can ever taste the glory in it. Marriage, like I mentioned earlier, is not just the coming together of two individuals to have children, or bear the same name. It is much more than two people cohabiting under the same roof and it goes beyond the issue of ordinary friendship. According to God’s Word, it is a covenant relationship.

Marriage is a covenant between God, a man and a woman. When a man and a woman agree to get married, it means that they are stepping into a covenant.  It is a relationship that can’t be broken, and should last a lifetime. In the marriage covenant, there are conditions to fulfil and benefits to reap; but there are also penalties when the covenant is broken. Therefore, don’t just rush into marriage without the understanding of what it is all about. Remember, when you step in, you can’t break it. Marriage is no light matter before God; it is a covenant.

Marriage is a covenant requiring the participation of two people. As much as one wants to try and make it work, if the other is unwilling, it simply will not be successful. Therefore, before entering into any marriage covenant, it is important to ensure that you know the person you are going to marry. So many people get engaged before they ever know about the things to consider. Marriage is designed by God to be the most intimate human relationship we voluntarily enter in life.

The Word of God makes it clear that marriage is a covenant, and this is expounded in my book, ‘Marriage Covenant’. But, what is a Covenant? The dictionary defines it as ‘a binding agreement, or a contract’ usually between two people. The Word of God says: ‘Marriage is Honourable’ (Hebrews 13:4). In other words, the agreement of marriage between two people is seen as a good thing in the sight of God, which eventually leads to honour and dignity for the parties involved. Therefore, I want to let you know that it is a good thing to desire marriage, if you are not yet married. For those already married, it is a good step you have taken in life. You shall have no cause to regret it!

However, as good as marriage is, there are covenant responsibilities that must be operated, if the marriage covenant must produce the desired good. The Word says: If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).  There is good in marriage, but you must be willing and obedient to operate the covenant. My husband, Bishop David Oyedepo said, “A life without responsibilities is a liability”. Furthermore, he said, “Responsibility is the price for greatness”. Do you desire good in your marriage? Are you longing for peace, harmony and serenity in your marital life? Then apply yourself to the demands of a good home. If you are yet to enact the covenant of marriage, begin to ask for grace to comply with the demands. If it is in your heart to obey God, it shall be easy for you to do so. Greatness and fulfilment don’t come by magic, neither are they meant for a specific group of people. Rather, they are for as many as would fear God and work in righteousness.

If you are not born again yet, then, you are not entitled to the peaceful married life that God has reserved for His children. However, God’s grace of salvation is extending to you today. If you desire to be born again, say this simple prayer in faith: “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).