Click
here to look up Bible Passages
Early marriage, though possessing certain inherent dangers, is widely practiced in contemporary America.
By wa of discussing the dangers of early marriage, may I point out that true love is the only basis upon which a successful marriage may be constructed. (Many happy marriages are made, they do not just happen.) One problem here is a proper definition of love. "Love is a dynamic that seeks the highest good of its object, regardless of sacrifice or suffering." In Ephesians 5:25, Paul says: "Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for it." True love would therefore dictate that one not subject one's loved one to undue sacrifice and suffering due to one's own lack of preparation and ability to provide adequately for them. While money is not the basis of a happy marriage, it can be allowed to become a prominent factor in the dissolution of marriage.
After seriously considering the potential problems mentioned in Part I of this two part series on Early Marriage, if you still feel that an early marriage is your best choice, or if as a very young man or woman, you find yourself already married, there are a few basic, simple, scriptural rules for marriage, which can help you in making your marriage happy and successful.
Marriage, by scriptural definition is: "The blending together of two lives, two personalities of the opposite sex for as long as the two shall live in this world. It is the building of a home that respects the law of God and protects the morals of mankind."
Marriage is sanctioned by Jehovah God and is to be had in honor among all men as you may observe by reading Genesis 2:18-24. God said: "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him." (Verse 18) Adam then said: "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man" (Verse 23) Moses then added: "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh' (Verse 24). Marriage, in God's divine plan, is monogamy in form, (one husband for one wife) (I Corinthians, Chapter 7, verse 2). It is procreative in design, (Genesis 1:28; 1 Timothy 5:14); patriarchal in government, (I Timothy 2:13; Ephesians 5:23); religious in spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4-9); and is intended to be indissoluble in nature (I Corinthians 7:39 and Matthew 19:6).
Three distinct purposes are served in God's divine arrangement of marriage:
1. Companionship - God said: "It is not good that the man should be alone." (Genesis 2:18). If the wife forgets the design of her creation, the marriage will likely be unhappy. She is first, last, and always a companion to her husband.
2. Procreation - God said: "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth." (Genesis 1:28).
3. To avoid fornication - God teaches through the inspired apostle Pual: "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence; and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband; and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency." (I Corinthians 7:2-5).
If you will keep these simple rules in mind and remember that marriage is a serious business because God is its author, it is a life lasting contract and it involves the rearing of a future generation, you can have a happy, successful marriage.
Any
suggestions, comments, or questions for more Bible related messages
BACK
TO HOME PAGE