Honouring Marriage

Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers. Hebrews 13:4 

How should marriage be respected? I think to discover what this means we new to look at the relationship between God and His people in the Old Testament. God constantly spoke of their relationship as a marriage and as the house of Israel as the unfaithful wife.

What does unfaithfulness look like? It looks like: I place my own interests above yours and more importantly I will love what I want to love, I have room in my heart for more than one love.

God accused His people of promiscuity.
They prostituted themselves with other gods.

What does faithfulness look like? I will keep myself for you and forsake all others. When temptation comes along, I will flee. I will stay so close to you that I cannot be tempted. I will deal with all issues and not give the accuser room. I will give you room to be a person in His image and not demand you be my god, my all. I will not judge you.

I remember talking to a woman who was about to go traveling with her husband for about a year. Her one concern is that he was not spiritual like her. I laughed and said: 'he is your balance, you are super-spiritual and he is your leveler.' She looked at me quizzically but I think she heard what I was saying.

As a friend of a married woman I will support her marriage, not criticise her spouse. The poor man needs all the help he can get.

Marriage has to be honoured by all, those married and those not married but having married family and friends.

If God can do it, so can I! Amen. Because He lives in me.

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