Thextianhome1

The Christian Home – Part 1a 10/11/02

(Christian Marriage)

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 7: 1-15.

Memory Verse: "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord." (Prov.18:22).

Lesson’s Aim and Objective

To equip us so we are able to answer some important questions on marriage.

Lesson Introduction

Marriage is in fact the oldest ordained institution by God. It is there in Gen. 2:18-24. God intended it for completing man so he can have a joyful home, and also multiply so he can subdue the earth.

It is sacred and therefore its vows must not be violated. It was not God’s plan that we jump into it because we are emotionally charged, only to jump out when we want. Breaking the marriage vow is breaking God’s law. Let us review the text we read earlier – 1 Cor. 7:1-15.

In addition to indicating the necessity for marriage, the passage also lists a number of "Dos" and "Don’ts" that go with Christian marriage.

Marriage is a legitimate antidote to sexual immorality, v.2.

The couple must be committed to the marriage in all its aspects, v.3.

The two must share their bodies. There is no room for, "Don’t touch me", v.4.

In fact there is no room for declaring a "strike" or a "lock out" in their sexual relationship, except by mutual consent so they can devote themselves to prayer and fasting, v.5.

The Lord commands there should be no separation, v.10.

Where separation has occured, the couple should seek for reconciliation. No divorce! v.11.

All these privileges and responsibilities are addressed to those in the married state – not to those in "samen wonen", a couple just living together, trial marriage, or whatever other label we care to give to it.

Why is it that even in marriage, the tendency quite often is to insist on "my rights", while playing down one’s responsibilities?
Lesson Outline 1: Why Marry?

For the propagation of the human race so we can fulfill God’s command, Gen.1: 28; 9:1.

For fellowship, Gen 2:18. o For partnership ("…the two will become one flesh"), Gen.2:24.

To satisfy perfectly legitimate, good and God-ordained desires, 1 Cor. 7:2, 8-9.

Can’t "samen wonen" or some other arrangements satisfy these objectives?
Lesson Outline 2: Who Should a Christian Marry?

2 Cor. 6:14-18 insists such a partnership must be between fellow believers in the Lord Jesus. But can’t we justify exceptions to this command?

Can’t I reform my partner and make him or her a believer after we are married?

What are the reasons behind the command that a Christian must marry only a fellow believer?

A believer cannot be equally yoked with an unsaved person. (You yoke a pair of oxen, and not a cow & a horse, or a donkey & a goat. Such an arrangement can’t plough the field. It will fall apart after internal wrangling between the incompatible animals.) v. 14a.

Righteousness and unrighteousness have nothing in common. And neither do light and darkness have fellowship, v. 14b.

There is no harmony between The Lord and Belial, v. 15a. See also Mark 3:22-30. In the same way the believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever, v.15b.

A temple is where a god lives. God lives in the believer because we are the temple of the living God. There is no way God and the devil can live in the same temple, because in marriage the two become one, and if God lives in one of them and the devil in the other, that is not Christian marriage. We are merely sowing the seeds of failure, v. 16.

Why do some Christians still insist they know better than God in this matter of choosing partner for life?

{Don’t miss, When should a Xtian marry? What is Courtship? What makes a happy marriage? For next time.}

Summary: Follow the "Maker’s Instructions" if you want to succeed in marriage – an institution He ordained Himself

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