PASSAGE: Date, Mate, Consummate | Lesson 11
July 20, 2014 | John Chow
From Genesis 2:18-25, we can draw some principles about marriage. God's (1) Design of Marriage was for the purpose of COMPANIONSHIP (v18a), to provide a HELPER (v18b), to supply a SUITABLE helper (v18b, 20d), to establish ONENESS between husband and wife (v24c), for SEX & PROCREATION (Gen 1:28c). Marriage is forged under a COVENANT before God (Mal 1:14b).
But marriage is not easy. Because of sin, marriages are not perfect, and realistically, are all wrought with difficulties. Let's be real about it. Here are some (2) Hardships of Marriage: sinners marry sinners; couples have differing faiths or are at different maturities of faith ("unevenly yoked"); poor communication; disagreements and the war of wills; children; habits; power grabs; financial difficulties; loss of personal space and time; new identities as husbands and wives; illness and health issues. The list goes on.
But we can learn how to have better marriages by looking at Christ's relationship to the Church—(3) Christ in Marriage. Read Ephesians 5:22-33. See what Christ established and brought into his relationship with the Church, his bride, and likewise, see how the Church is to live in Christ. Wives are to be subject to their husbands, and respect them (v33), just as the Church is to be subject to Christ (v22-24). It's a tall order to ask of women, but the Lord calls for this attitude toward their husbands. But realize that as women are to be subject to their husbands so also are men to be subject to Christ. A husband has the tall order to be genuinely subject (faithful, obedient and humble) to Christ. Second, husbands are to be sacrificial to their wives. That means they are to die to themselves for their wives. Third, husbands are to sanctify their wives (v26-27) "in the word", seeking to aid in their growth toward holiness. Thus, men are to be invested in the truth of scripture, live it out and seek that their wives also do the same. Fourth, husbands are to be selfless (v28-29), placing the needs of their wives ahead of themselves. They are to feed (nourish) and cherish their wives as they would want to be treated. Lastly, a marriage is to seek oneness and unity between husband and wife. Now if a husband is genuinely and earnestly seeking to fulfill this Christ-created role, what woman wouldn't want to submit to him? Submission would rather be easy.
So what are the (4) Implications for Marriage? There is a first amongst equals—the husband as assigned by God. Second, submission and humility to the Lord should be from both the husband and wife. Third, submission and humility are equally expressed to each other. Fourth, men, understand genuine sacrifice, which doesn't expect anything in return. Fifth, men, the wife's sanctification through truth and word is your responsibility. Lastly, men, you are to nourish and cherish your wife.
"The real transforming work of marriage is the twenty-four-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week commitment. This is the crucible that grinds and shapes us into the character of Jesus Christ." Gary Thomas, Sacred Marriage.
Posts
