THREE-FOLD PURPOSE OF MARRIAGE

By Rev. Michael Benson Ajayi

Gen. 2:18. “The Lord God Said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him”

        This scripture explains the purpose of marriage; it is all about finding help in the fulfillment of God’s purpose for our lives. The complexities of life requires that we develop a virile support system in order to withstand life's challenges.

           There are three major support systems needed for a fulfilled life which marriage provides, they are :

 (1) a spiritual or faith-based support system .There are situations we face that only faith in God can guarantee victory. Most persons believe that money solves all problems but that is far from the truth. If money could solve all problems it should be expected that those with material wealth should be the happiest people on earth but the opposite is the reality . The scriptures say in   Eccl 5:10-11 “Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!  The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers?” Couples consumed by an insatiable appetite for money are often miserable, in fear of  evil foreboding , lack confidence in God's word and each other (Rev.3:17) .Obscessive crave for money destroys marriages. The love of money is the root of all divorce cases. If divorce is evil then it falls into the category of the evils caused by the love of money, the scriptures say in 1 Tim 6:10 “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves withmany sorrows.” Therefore, a partner with faith is to be preferred above a money -lover because all things are possible to him that has faith.  

 2) Physical or financial support system: Marriage is ordained and blessed of God. Prov. 18:22 says “Who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favour of the Lord” And God defines marriage within the confines of a man and woman relationship, there is no place in scripture where same –sex relationship was allowed among God’s people. The scriptures say in Matt. 19:4,5a. (God) made them male and female … for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. In a true marriage ,the bond a man has for his wife is stronger than that which he has for his parents. She becomes the most important person in his life after Christ and likewise the wife. They are to jointly provide for the family’s finances (1Tim5:8). A virtuous wife is a balanced worker, entrepreneur and philanthropist (Prov.31:13, 16, 20). Idleness and laziness destroys marriages.Idle spouses easily get caught in get-rich-quick schemes resulting in major financial losses and poverty. 

3) Emotional support system  Marriage is the solution to a lot of emotional problems (1Cor. 7:2, 1Cor.7:9) It  is easier to resist sexual sins when married .Through marriage we derive strength and companionship, Gen. 2:18, 1Pet 3:7, Eccl. 4:9-11 .For the husband, it is a lifelong commitment (Ezek. 16:8) requiring him to love his wife tenderly ( Eph. 5:25, Eph. 5:28,33a, Col. 3:19.) he is to honour, praise and please his wife.( 1Pet. 3:7, Prov 31:28, 1Cor. 7:33.) listen to and take heed to her wise counsel (Judg. 13:19-23 , 2 King. 4:8-10).He should never be disrespectful to her or publicly humiliate her . One can not earn the respect of outsiders while disrespecting one's spouse.

Prayer : Heavenly Father, forgive me of my sins against you, I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation and I receive him as lord and saviour and receive grace for stability and prosperity in Jesus name .

Free Prayer /counseling +234 8035536911, +234 8098536911, email:michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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