This post will continue to lay the groundwork for the posts that will follow in this series.
THE FIRST HUSBAND AND THE FIRST WIFE
Who could have better insight into or counsel regarding marriage than the One Who originated this institution ? A loving Creator is the author of marriage and by reviewing His original plan, we can begin to find remedies for the healing of hurting hearts.
The first marriage ever blessed of God was the marriage which He Himself conducted. God has a plan and purpose for marriage and His standard for this relationship and all relationships, if adhered to, will result in happiness. It is the deviation from God's plan for marriage and for all relationships that has brought sorrow and sadness to countless hearts as well as sickness and disease to the bodies of so many.
After the creation of Adam every living creature was brought before him to receive its name; he saw that to each had been given a companion, but among them "there was not found an help meet for him." Among all the creatures that God had made on the earth, there was not one equal to man. And God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." Man was not made to dwell in solitude; he was to be a social being. Without companionship the beautiful scenes and delightful employments of Eden would have failed to yield perfect happiness. Even communion with angels could not have satisfied his desire for sympathy and companionship. There was none of the same nature to love and to be loved. (Genesis 2:18-24/Romans 14:7)
God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided "an help meet for him"--a helper corresponding to him--one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. When God created Eve, He designed that she should possess neither inferiority nor superiority to the man, but that in all things she should be his equal. The holy pair were to have no interest independent of each other; and yet each had an individuality in thinking and acting. God celebrated the first marriage. Thus the institution has for its originator the Creator of the universe. (Genesis 1:27/1 Corinthians 7:3,4)
There are many today who teach that women being in subjection to men is part of God's original plan. It is not true that the submission of woman to man was part of God's original plan. This mistaken idea has led to untold misery in many homes. Submission of the one to the other was necessary only after the entrance of the principle of sin. However, God is calling the wife to fill the position which He originally designed for her; as her husband's equal. The principle of restoration which is self-evident in the gospel includes the restoration of all lawful relationships to the state realized before sin and therefore before selfishness took hold of the human mind. (Isaiah 58:12) For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; (Jeremiah 30:17) This promise encompasses all health; physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, etc.
When the divine principles are recognized and obeyed in this relation, marriage is a blessing; it guards the purity and happiness of the race, it provides for man's social needs, it elevates the physical, the intellectual, and the moral nature. (1 Corinthians 6:18/Exodus 15:26,20:14/Proverbs 3:7-10,21-24/Job 11:14-18/Psalms 128:1-3/Colossians 3:18,19/Ephesians 5:22,25/Deuteronomy 5:18/Mark 10:11,12/1 Peter 3:7/Hebrews 13:4/1 Thessalonians 4:3/Colossians 3:2)
Through intemperate, premature, unlawful and even perverted sexual relations for the purpose of deriving physical pleasure, the quality and quantity of useful human life is being dramatically reduced. Physical intimacy was never intended by God for relationships outside the boundaries of marriage and was only meant to be between a man and a woman. Notice these words of admonition from Scripture...Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7: 2) Fornication is the word that defines the premarital sex which is widely practiced and socially acceptable in our modern world.
Like every other one of God's good gifts entrusted to the keeping of humanity, marriage has been perverted by sin: but it is the purpose of the gospel to restore its purity and beauty. The condition of society presents a sad comment upon heaven's ideal of this sacred relation. There is not one marriage in one hundred that results happily, that bears the sanction of God, and places the parties in a position better to glorify Him. (Hosea 4:2/Luke 17:26,27/Mark 7:21/Ephesians 4:18,19/Ezekiel 22:11/Galatians 5:19/Romans 1:24-28/James 1:14/2 Peter 3:3)
Yet even for those who have found bitterness and disappointment where they had hoped for companionship and joy, the gospel of Christ offers a solace. When the sacred nature and the claims of marriage are understood, it will even now be approved of Heaven, and the result will be happiness to both parties, and God will be glorified. (Titus 2:11,12/Romans 6:12,13/2 Timothy 2:22/Proverbs 6:25/1 Peter 2:11/Ephesians 4:31,32)
By the grace of God, we will continue this study in another post.
T.K.
© 2009 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com
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