Marriage: God's Design – In the Beginning - Living Free - October 14

Marriage: God's Design – In the Beginning

Monday, October 14, 2019

Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Today's Scripture
"Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 'At last!' the man exclaimed. 'This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called "woman," because she was taken from "man.”' This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." Genesis 2:22-24 NLT

Thoughts for Today
In today's world, we hear many views about marriage. Let's go back to the beginning. How did marriage start?

It began when God created Eve to be Adam's wife. God is the creator of the marriage relationship, so to understand what that relationship should look like, we need to turn to the Scriptures. 

In Genesis 2:18, we read this: "Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him (NLT).” And so, he created Eve, a woman, to be a companion "just right" for Adam.

Consider this …
These scriptures make it clear that God designed marriage to be heterosexual. A man and a woman. Homosexuality is not God's pattern for marriage and family relationships. The Bible makes that clear.
 
"Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin."   Leviticus 18:22 NLT

Homosexual relationships are unnatural, and they dishonor God.

The marriage relationship is so important in God's eyes that he relates it to Christ and the Church. 

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 

Ephesians 5:31-32 NLT. Read more: Ephesians 5:22-32.

It is a "great mystery" to know that Christ and the Church can be one as can husband and wife. This great comparison of Christ and the Church to the marriage relationship shows nothing less than the sacredness of marriage.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the beauty of marriage as you designed it. Help us honor your sacred design.  In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from … Committed Couples: God's Plan for Marriage & the Family by Dr. Jimmy Ray Lee. Whether in a private or group setting, couples will be encouraged spiritually and romantically as they research biblical principles that affirm their vows. This book can help every married couple grow spiritually and emotionally in their relationship. It is also a great help for engaged-to-be-married couples.