This is why marriage is spiritual

People are failing at marriage, whether broken up, patched up or barely tolerating one another for the sake of family members, church members, kids or what people will say generally. In this vain I have been researching why of cause this has been happening, where best to start than from the beginning.

God is Spirit and he instituted marriage (Gen 2:22-24) which essentially makes marriage spiritual and can only be lived by divine revelation, because if God is a spirit, everything that comes from him is spiritual, just as man is first a spirit, living in a body because he was made in Gods image (Gen 1:26). So first and foremost anybody who is married or about to be married who does not know or agree to this, is ignorant, so if you agree to this, then you would also agree that marriage can only be enjoyed by FAITH, as marriage is the only contract you sign without complete disclosure and lots of events will begin to unfold as the years roll by, so for a lot of couples this then becomes the issue, because as they begin to find out numerous things about their partners they want to bail out, withdraw, tolerate, manage but the bible says, faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). For a lot of us with un-real expectations, we are in for a shocker, as nobody promised you that your partner will not fail in one area or the other, but the instruction is to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrew 12:2) so your wife, husband may fail somehow, but only God cant fail you. Continue...

Jesus promised at his departure that he would send the Holy Spirit to assist us in all things, (John 14:26 NKJV) for your marriage to prosper you would need the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Why then did God institute Marriage? Procreation (Gen 2: 28), yes. But essentially marriage was instituted because every man was created with an assignment (vision, purpose) to carry out in life, just as the case with the first man (Gen 2:15) and the woman was given to him as an helper to fulfilling this assignment (Gen 2:18).

So dear about-to-wed sister, have you asked your intended spouse if he already knows his purpose, vision or assignment in life? (Imagine yourself in a vehicle where the driver is clueless of directions to your destination). Because if he does not know it, what would you be helping him with? School fees? Cooking? Rearing children? That is not the primary reason you were created, hence the emptiness a lot of marriages are experiencing, if you are feeling an emptiness in yourself, relationship, marriage - I think it’s time you go to the Creator to find out your assignment (male) and who you are meant to be assisting in carrying out his assignment (female). In marriage the chance of better life results are higher (Amos 3:3, Mathew 18:19, Deut 32:30) provided TOTAL agreement of purpose exist between the partners.

Another vital question is should everybody marry? Any man who understands the real meaning of marriage (service, compromise and agreement of purpose) can marry, provided he also understands that the role of a man in the home, is that of a provider and protector (1^st Peter 3:7, 1^st Timothy 5:8) but it is also alright if any person chooses not to marry, as it is not a sin (as tradition may make us believe), provided you would not be living in fornication ( 1^st Corinthians 7:8-9 ). Apostle Paul the most powerful Apostle in the New Testament was never married and he had one of the most powerful ministries in the Bible, Our Lord Jesus Christ was never married. Some men believe they can effectively carry out their assignment without marriage as they may consider it a distraction (1st Corinthians 7:8), just as some women (Oprah Winfrey). To God fulfilling your purpose (reason for creation) in life is more important to him than the amount of children or grandchildren you have. But of cause if you cannot live without a man or woman, please do get married.

Jesus promised at his departure that he would send the Holy Spirit to assist us in all things, (John 14:26 NKJV) for your marriage to prosper you would need the constant guidance of the Holy Spirit (Proverbs 3:5-7). The Bible says without me you can’t do anything (John 15:5) Man was not made to live outside of God, as fish was not designed to live outside of water, hence the malfunctioning men, women and marriages you have all over the world. Stop dating or getting married without seeking the face of God, do not because of a short term need (societal acceptance, sexual gratification, companionship, comfort), create long term problems (broken home, unhappy kids).

Having read all this, you may say, ‘who cares, at least my atheist uncle’s marriage made it for 30 years, my unbelieving neighbour looks happy in her marriage, so why bother myself? You should dear friend, as many of these people would never share with you what the true picture is. Secular love does not conquer all things, God’s Love (1^st Corinthians 13) conquers all things; the enemy (Devil) is looking for how to steal (joy), kill (dreams) and destroy (destinies).

Marriage is spiritual and can only be truly enjoyed IN-FAITH!

By ‘Lalekan Kayode-Akinpelu