God's original design is for marriage—for a lifetime.
| posted 1/30/2009
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Have you ever asked someone a simple question—then she gave you a long answer explaining her philosophy on the whole subject? That's what Jesus did on the question of divorce. The Pharisees asked him if they could divorce someone and still be okay with God.
Jesus dealt instead with God's original design for marriage: that two people become so much a part of each other that the marriage cannot be broken without doing them harm. That means two people do whatever work is required to stay married. (Note: However, this does not mean that a woman should put up with violence.) When questioned again, Jesus responded that their hearts were hard (19:8). It takes work to truly have a heart for someone else. You see only your side, so it becomes difficult to crawl into the other person's skin and understand his perspective. But Christ calls you to nurture your marriage, even when you don't feel like it.
These then are Christ's commands regarding marriage: Understand the sacredness of it (and expect to be ripped apart if the marriage ends); push away the heartlessness that kills a relationship. These are serious issues to consider whether you're single, dating, married, or divorced. (See also Malachi 2:13-16; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16; Ephesians 4:1-6.)
Good Words to Remember:
They are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate. Matthew 19:6
Today's Challenge:
How might accepting God's design for marriage change your daily relationship?
Copyright 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.
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