Transforming Relationships (10)

This is my final instalment in the series regarding relationship transformation. As part of finalising this series, I want to bring us back to the foundation of what Jesus taught us about love and marriage. We are commanded to love in the way that Christ loves. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Paul gave instructions to husbands and wives concerning love and submission. Wives are to submit to their husbands as they submit to the Lord. The husband is the head of the family, in the same way that Christ is the head of the church. Husbands are also commanded to love their wives, in the same way that Christ loves the church and gave his life for the church.

“that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). Sanctification is praying for each other, as Christ makes daily intercession for the church. Similar to the ministry and institution of marriage is the church who is the bride of Christ. His example of love and sacrifice to the church, is what God expects husbands to offer to their wives. Submission is not blind obedience and should not be abused by forms of control and manipulation. It is being willing to humble yourself before God and your other half. It is very easy to submit to someone who you love and respect.

We can assume that no one would marry someone that they don’t love, respect and admire. Since love is a decision, we have to continually affirm and reaffirm our decision and commitment to loving someone. Marriage is the first and most important ministry, of a Christian person who chooses to enter this institution. “For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church” (1 Timothy 3:5)? In the same way that satan hates the church, who is the bride of Christ, he hates marriages and will always try to target them. Consider his strategy against mother Eve and subsequently her husband Adam.

Attacks against marriages and the family structure, are attacks against society and humanity. Marriage is a honourable, sacred and holy institution, ordained by God for the fulfilment of purpose and destiny. “Marriage is to be held in honor among all [that is, regarded as something of great value], and the marriage bed undefiled [by immorality or by any sexual sin]; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Hebrews 13:4). For single people who desire marriage, you have to determine and be able to establish how your union with another person, will help you to accomplish God’s purpose for your life. “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness” (2 Corinthians 6:14)?

A.P.-Y.