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The tragedy that is sweeping America today is
the breakdown of the home. School shootings, teenage out of wedlock
pregnancy, drug abuse, abortion, an ever increasing divorce rate,
etc., are but symptoms of this breakdown. The one remedy for this
unhappy situation is a Christ centered marriage.
A Christ-centered marriage is united in Christ.
The Christ-centered marriage is one where both husband and wife
are united in Christ. A home that is religiously divided will
have difficulties. Often there is a tendency for one to compromise
Biblical teaching in order to keep peace in the family. The question
of what to teach the children becomes a serious problem. Where
will the emphasis be in regard to recreation, giving to the Lord's
Cause, involvement in church activities. With which parent will
children attend worship services? These are but a few of the problems
faced by a religiously divided home.
The Corinthian brethren had problems because of
religiously mixed marriages. However, both Paul and Peter make
it clear that a Christian married to a non-Christian is not a
sinful relationship (1 Cor. 7:12-14; 1 Pet. 3:1-6). Yet, keep
in mind Jesus' teaching: "A house divided against itself
shall not stand" (Matt. 12:25). Jesus also said, "But
seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you" (Matt. 6:33). In view of these
considerations, it is always best for a Christian to marry a Christian!
A Christ-centered marriage is based on commitment.
Jesus' teaching on marriage went back to the "beginning."
He said, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and
mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh"
(Matt. 19:4-9, cf. Gen. 2:24). The word "cleave" means
"to adhere to" or literally, "to be glued"
to one another (see Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary). This
"glue" is commitment! There is no problem in marriage
too great to overcome if two people are truly committed to each
other.
A Christ-centered marriage is founded on fidelity.
The inspired apostle emphasized the importance of fidelity in
marriage saying, "Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality,
let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own
husband" (1 Cor. 7:2). Sexual relations outside of marriage
is termed "immorality" (NKJV) or "fornication"
(ASV) from the Greek word porneias, from which we get our English
word "pornography." Note what Dr. Henry M. Morris says
of this word.
"The Greek word for 'fornication' (porneia)
could include any sexual sin committed after the betrothal contract.
... In Biblical usage, 'fornication' can mean any sexual congress
outside monogamous marriage. It thus includes not only premarital
sex, but also adultery, homosexual acts, incest, remarriage after
un-Biblical divorce, and sexual acts with animals, all of which
are explicitly forbidden in the law as given through Moses (Leviticus
20:10-21). Christ expanded the prohibition against adultery to
include even sexual lusting (Matthew 5:28)." (Dr. Henry M.
Morris, Web Bible Encyclopedia).
Fidelity in marriage brings happiness to the family.
The Wise man instructed,
"Drink water from your own cistern, And running
water from your own well. Should your fountains be dispersed abroad,
Streams of water in the streets? Let them be only your own, And
not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, And
rejoice with the wife of your youth" (Prov. 5:18).
Be assured, Solomon is not talking about the plumbing
system in Jerusalem! He is teaching his son the importance of
fidelity in marriage. Such faithfulness causes married people
to "rejoice."
A Christ-centered marriage displays mutual love
and respect. Jesus taught and demonstrated love. He said,
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have
loved you" (John 15:12). The apostle Paul taught, "Husbands,
love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for it" (Eph. 5:25). He instructed Timothy saying,
"Train the young women to love their husbands, to love their
children" (Titus 2:4). The kind of love Paul is speaking
of is not the perverted, Hollywood type displayed on the Silver
Screen. It is a love demonstrated in both word and deed. It is
demonstrated when both husband and wife speak to each other in
a kind and courteous manner.
This kind of love is demonstrated when words of
appreciation and affection are exchanged by husband and wife.
It is demonstrated when marriage partners are sensitive and attentive
to each other's needs. Little deed of thoughtful kindness and
consideration from day to day strengthen the bonds of love.
A Christ-centered marriage is one that is built
on the life and teaching of Jesus. These are but a few of
the fundamentals. While we live in a wicked world where the home
is under constant attack, Christ furnishes us with ample instruction
so that we might overcome the onslaught of Satan. May we study
his word diligently and follow it in order to have a Christ-centered
marriage.
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