Church bulletin
2016 is a year of marriage milestones. As a church we have just celebrated our first wedding when Luke and Brigitte tied the knot. At the end of April God willing Kylie and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. And later in the year Basil and Nicky are also due to celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss. Here are a few brief thoughts on marriage.
A. Marriage is a wonderful blessing. Although humans were designed to know God and find fulfilment in Him, we were not designed to find fulfilment in Him alone. God created us to enjoy human relationships, the ultimate being that of marriage (Gen 2:18-25). Marriage is the means for sexual, relational, emotional, and parental fulfilment. Sadly marriage is overlooked by people who like to live more freely and try before they buy; or it is redefined by those who find God’s plan of one man and one woman too restrictive. Apparently last year divorces slowed down to around 48, 000 which shows that for many it is not the blessing that it was designed to be.
B. Marriage is not the be all and end all. It has its limitations. Even the best marriages will have ups and downs. It is also limited in its duration; we may know our spouses in the next life but we will not be married to them. Young people should not covet marriage as though without it they are incomplete or less than others. Sometimes hasty decisions can bring years of pain and regret. The apostle Paul indicates that there is advantage to being single if we are able to exercise self-control (1 Cor 7). Nevertheless marriage is a good thing for those who desire it.
C. Marriage to Christ is the most important marriage of all. Paul teaches the Ephesians that earthly marriage is designed to reflect the marriage of Christ to His people (Eph 5:22-33). If we are Christians we have been given the most important “partner” of all; the One who loves us, cares for us, protects us and provides for us like no other. In the ultimate sense no believer is therefore single. One day the wedding feast will begin and the marriage consummated when Christ comes in glory for His bride. He will judge the nations removing her from the filth and squalor of this fallen world. She will then forever be with Him in a new heavens and a new earth. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.
Andrew