TOPIC: SETTLING DISPUTES IN MARRIAGE
PREACHER: PASTOR BASIL CHUKWUEZI, EDENSQUARE CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
LET
US READ
“So God created man in his own image, in
the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed
them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth
and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over
every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:27-28
“The man said, "This is now bone of my
bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out
of man." For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:23-24
“Some Pharisees came to him to test him.
They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every
reason?" "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the
beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave
his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one
flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined
together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:3-6
ENCOURAGEMENT
Marriage is indeed unique; an institution
created by God. Through scripture, we understand that in marriage, a man leaves
his father, mother, background and circumstances and joins to a woman with
equally different set of variables. They then live together and become one
flesh and produce a distinctive identity all their own. This identity is a
creative miracle of God, but it does not preclude the fact that it may
encounter some challenges now and then. The responsibility lies squarely with the
couple to accommodate one another and ensure it works.
Challenges may arise in form of difference
of opinion over such matters as finance, what to eat, drink, wear, actions or
inactions, how to behave in certain circumstances etc.; and if not handled well
and promptly may lead to each spouse taking offence that could lead to a strain
or even brake up of the marriage. There was a case where such a trivial matter
as whether a tube of tooth paste is pressed from the top or bottom led to a
divorce! Each issue or challenge may present a different set of
characteristics, but the couple must consciously decide to sit down and
navigate a way forward and act accordingly.
Two ingredients among so many others will
help them to achieve this: vision for their marriage and love. You may wonder
what vision has to do with marriage, but it in fact has everything to do with
it. The vision you have for your marriage will enable you look beyond
challenges, hurts and temporary discomforts. So do you have a vision for your
marriage? It is not late; you can still prayerfully ask God for a vision for
your marriage. It was vision that helped our Lord Jesus Christ to fulfil
destiny.
In Hebrews 12:1-3 we read: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such
a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the
sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked
out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our
faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its
shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who
endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and
lose heart”. The joy set before your marriage is the vision that will help you
overcome its challenges!
Love is the other key ingredient, and of
course with it comes forgiveness. The bible says that love covers a multitude
of sin. (1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because
love covers over a multitude of sins.) This simply means that with love
you can cover for each other, overlook irritations, forgive each other and
enjoy your marriage.
LET
US PRAY
O Lord, heal every marriage that is hurting
and through your love and divine vision restore the best of heaven for such
marriage and family in Jesus name.
POST
SCRIPT
Marriage is an institution created by God,
and for it to succeeded it must be run with the principles of God; first of
which is a personal relationship with God and the Lord Jesus Christ. It will
help to contact a bible believing church near you; if you don’t already attend
one.
For comments, questions and general counsel
follow me at basil.chukwuezi on Facebook,
@BasilChukwuezi on Twitter and my
blog, http://kingdomstreet.blogspot.com.
Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures are from the New International Version
(NIV).
God bless you.
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