GODLY MARRIAGE FOR BELIEVERS OF CHRIST

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Marriage is an institution where you don't graduate and it is not something you should rush into because if you do,it is likely you keep on managing and regretting for life.

In schools when you graduate,you are given a certificate to further more but not in the case of marriage because it is a lifelong experience and learning. "Marriage is for better for worse till death do you part". The only certificate you are given is called " DEATH CERTIFICATE". When you die,your marriage with that partner has ended then life continues with the living.

There are many reasons why people go into marriage. Which are;

1 FAMILY PRESSURE

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This pressure comes from the family especially the parents. They force the lady to get married at their convenient time not minding the lady's unhappiness to this decision,all in the name of wanting to see their grandchildren.

2 PEER PRESSURE

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You see your friends getting married and you are forced to because you don't want to be left behind but you forget that God's time is the best.

3 AGE

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Marriage is not about age,it is how you can handle it perfectly. People will say "I am getting old,let me get married quickly". Marriage is not about age but your maturity.

There are two types of marriage - Godly and ungodly marriage.

UNGODLY MARRIAGE

When we are talking about ungodly marriage,it means marrying and unbeliever. The Bible says "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" (2Cor 6:14)

When you marry an unbeliever person,someone who is not spiritually filled,it is danger you are calling for because everything we not be in accordance/agreement and will end up seperating each other because of lack of communication.

But our main focus is on GODLY MARRIAGE.

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Genesis 2:21-24, "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam,and he slept and He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh in its place. 22)Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from him,He made into a woman and He brought her to the man. 23)And Adam said 'This is now the bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh,she shall be called Woman because she was taken out of man' 24)Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and they shall become one flesh".

Godly marriage is an institution ordained by God as part of the essential process of life. Godly marriage is the bedrock of the church and has been the oldest institution which God himself established at the beginning of creation.

REASONS FOR GODLY MARRIAGE

There are many diverse reasons people go into this marriage.

1 For mutual fellowship: Loneliness is not good,that is why God gave Adam a woman out of his own rib. Marriage is for two partners to be together and fellowship with another.

2 Marriage is for satisfying sexual desire:
As the Bible says "Your body is the temple of God"(1Cor 6:19). Sex before marriage is a sin before God and that is why God brings about marriage so that the need for sex before marriage would be eradicated and not sin before Him.

3 To obey God's command

LEVELS OF MATURITY BEFORE MARRIAGE

1 Spiritual maturity

You don't expect to be born again today and start looking for who to marry the next day. You need to grow spiritually (1Peter 2:2). As a single person,serve God first and be prayerful. A good christian marriage comes with a salary paid by God,when you serve God truly,He will pay you a salary of good partner.

2 Physical maturity

You need to be physically fit before you jump into marriage. Marriage is not determined by age but how matured you are. Marriage is not for young people but for adults who can be able to handle it knowledgeable.

3 Emotional maturity

It is not everything you report to your parents,you must be emotionally and mentally stable to handle issues on your own without anybody directing you on how to manage your home. As a woman,it is not everything you cry to,you need to solve on your own.

4 Financial maturity

Women need much than a man,so as a man,you have to be strong enough to provide for your family. A woman will need ten clothes before you can have just two on yourself. I am not saying you must have all the money in your account but you need to be economically empowered,have something you can use to feed yourself and family. Not only on man alone but a woman must not be a liability to his man,you need to have something doing before you can think of marriage.

GODLY COUNSEL FOR MARRIAGE

Take a look at this following counselling before jumping into any marriage

i God does not want His people to be joined with unbelievers (2Cor 6:14)

ii God has placed His word in our hands so we could have a much more objective set of guidelines to follow than dreams,feelings and impulses. Despite your dreams and conviction,pray to have scriptural backing.

iii God will work in you to do His will. He will use circumstances and situations to perfect His will for you. So therefore,you should remain sensitive,paying attention to doors He opens and closes to direct your path.

iv Go to elders or spiritual heads such as pastors,evangelists in the church for advice and directions.

v Do not give room for sex to influence your decision or make you despise godly counsel from spiritual heads

vi You must keep company with believers and not unbelievers because the environment you are and peers will also influence your choice.

vii You must be found working in His vineyard like Adam,and doing something legitimate to earn an income. Marriage is not for lazy person.

MARRIAGE IS SWEET DEPENDING ON THE CUTLERY YOU USE