AgapeFocus APPLYING GOD'S SOLUTIONS TO HUMAN PROBLEMS

The Christian Marriage is likened to the union between Jesus Christ and the Church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the Church which is called his body.As the natural human body cannot exist without the head, so can the church not thrive without Jesus Christ. In like manner,our Lord,Jesus Christ needs and cherishes us all who are his by redemption, through faith in his blood,shed when he stood in our place to rescue us from present and eternal doom. In the Christian marriage, the man,as husband and head;the woman as wife,body and helpmeet,form an inseparable entity! Any man who dishonours or abuses his wife is maltreating his own body. For such a man, there is no wisdom,peace or joy. Such a man is foolish.A true husband must be ready, if need arises, to lay his life down for the wife! Similarly the woman who disrespects or undermines her husband behaves as a headless, silly person! That woman is a walking spectacle or abnormality! A true wife must be humble and submissive(not as a slave),to the husband! In the early church,upholding the sanctity of marriage, any couple who break up their marital vows were treated as outcasts! However,some Twenty-first Century Christians think they are wiser than God,the Maker of marriage!Jesus taught and upheld that from the begining no permission was given for divorce. Moses gave his people instruction to divorce based on the stubborness of their hearts Deuteronomy 24:1-4!It is better not to marry than to take marriage as a Hollywood gamble or a scientific experiment!Divorce is the permissive will of God in case of fornication.In cases of deception on fidelity issues,divorce was permitted,if the person so wronged is legalistic and not gracious! There is no sin beyond pardon, when there is repentance. Otherwise,marriage the highest level of human relationship,becomes second rate;taking it so-so;managing it as you have stubbornly and disobediently made or found it. God is very loving and does not want you to go through hell in your marriage, if you follow his manual,the Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you day by day.A couple that pray together,read and study the Bible together in obedience to God,must find peace,joy,purity ,power and courage to live successfully.Part of walking the road to success involves mutual esteem, selfless giving,unbroken communication,enjoying sex together,taking specific and joint responsibilities,based on your abilities or gifts.Never neglect to take good and healthy care of your bodies;better than you did during courtship days.In addition to these,forgive your spouse and give no room for bitterness.(Ephesians5:21-33; Colossians 3:18-19). Before and when children arrive to make you a family,set and keep boundaries with authority in the home.Everyone should be disciplined. Jointly discipline and train the children together (Proverbs 22:6; Proverbs 13:24; Ephesians 6:1-4;Colossians 3:20-21). Problems would surely face any couple. No couple is free of challenges,but the obedient,loving,respectful and faithful ones would experience victory.