Malachi 2:14 (NKJV): “Yet you say, “For what reason?” Because the Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
Marriage is a covenant in God’s eyes. Oneness in marriage does not mean similarity or sameness in matters relating to ideas or feelings. Rather, it means oneness in understanding.
Everything that God has created and planned was good, including marriage. God instituted marriage before work. Adam and Eve were to work together to tend to the Garden of Eden and all of God’s creation. God created a helper comparable to Adam because it was not good for Adam to be alone. God’s plan was for them to be one flesh. God intended marriage to be permanent and committed.
Genesis 2:23 (NKJV) And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
The concept of one flesh is more than just physical union. The married couple must become one in their goals, directions, wills, emotions, minds, and spirits. They move together through life as though they are a single entity. Adam said of Eve, “Bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” This was God’s original plan and desire for us today as a couple. In addition, His plan also includes us always having to be connected to Him, just like a three-strand cord, which will not be easily broken.
1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV) Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
God expects us to honour the marriage covenant through our commitment to each other. We are to look after our spouses and treat them well. In fact, God will not listen to our prayers when we are harsh with or treat our spouses treacherously.
The most crucial part of a Christian wedding is the marriage vow that we utter in the presence of God. God is the primary witness of the marriage. Therefore, God will hold the couple, especially the man, accountable for staying faithful to the marriage.
A Christian marriage is a sacred blood covenant witnessed and guaranteed by God Himself. It is unconditional, unlimited, and unending. Based on the marriage covenant, we are one flesh. Therefore, we will face everything together. A covenant is the only secure foundation for a happy, fulfilling, and permanent marriage. Understanding the meaning of a covenant will help us understand the importance of being one so that our marriage will be strong.
Sermon Series:Before You Say I Do (Lesson 1 & 2 )
真正的合一
玛拉基书2:14 你们还说:“这是为什么呢?”因耶和华在你和你幼年所娶的妻中间作见证。她虽是你的配偶,又是你盟约的妻,你却以诡诈待她。
婚姻在神眼中是盟约。婚姻中的合⼀不是指在思想或感情⽅面的相似或相同,⽽是彼此理解上的合⼀。
神所创造和计划的⼀切都是美好的,包括婚姻。神先于⼯作建立了婚姻。亚当和夏娃要⼀起工作照料伊甸园和神所创造的⼀切。神为亚当创造了⼀个与他相配的帮⼿,因为亚当独自⼀⼈是不好的。神的计划是让他们成为⼀体。神想要的是⼀段长久⽽忠诚的婚姻。
创世纪 2:23中 亚当说:“这是我骨中的骨,⾁中的⾁。可以称她为⼥⼈,因为她是从男⼈身上取出来的。”
夫妻⼀体的概念不仅仅是⾁体上的结合。已婚夫妇在他们的目标、⽅向、意志、情感、思想和灵里成为⼀体。他们⼀起度过⼀⽣,就好像他们是⼀个整体⼀样。亚当对夏娃说,“我骨中的骨,我⾁中的⾁”。这是神最初的计划,也是祂今天对我们夫妇关系的意愿。祂的计划还包括我们必须始终与祂联结在⼀起,就像三股拧成的绳⼀样,不会轻易折断。
彼得前书 3:7 你们做丈夫的,也要按情理和妻子同住,因她比你软弱,与你一同承受生命之恩的,所以要敬重她。这样,便叫你们的祷告没有阻碍。
神期望我们遵守我们对彼此所承诺的婚姻盟约。我们要照顾好我们的伴侣,善待她们。事实上,当我们对妻⼦苛刻和背叛时,神不会听我们的祷告。
基督教婚礼中最重要的部分是我们在神面前许下的结婚誓⾔。神是婚姻的主要见证⼈。因此神会让这对夫妇,尤其是男⼈,负责保持对婚姻的忠诚。
基督徒的婚姻是神亲自见证和保证的圣⾎之约。它是⽆条件的,⽆限的,永⽆⽌境的。基于婚姻的盟约,我们是⼀体的。所以,我们会⼀起面对⼀切。盟约是幸福、美满和永久婚姻的唯⼀可靠基础。了解盟约的含义将有助于我们理解成为⼀体的重要性,这样我们的婚姻才会牢固。
讲章系列:步向红毯之前 (第⼀和第⼆章)
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