Marry
Only in The Lord
When
you are in the right age sometimes you may think what do you want out of
marriage? What are your needs—physically, emotionally, spiritually? What are
your values, your goals and your methods of reaching them? To answer these questions
you must know yourself. This is not as easy as one might think.
It takes emotional maturity to examine ourselves, and even then it is not
possible to see ourselves as we really are in every detail. The Christian
apostle Paul indicated this when he wrote, at 1 Corinthians 4:4: “I am not
conscious of anything against myself. Yet by this I am not proved righteous,
but he that examines me.” Even though we might say that we are an adult and are able to solve any problems and circumstances,
sometimes even finding a marriage mate can pose a problem. As we noticed that
almost all the young poeple in the congregation were already married. Maybe it
would not hurt to look around the world just a little. However we should be
aware to marry only in the Lord, and put all our confidence only to our Creator
who established the marriage arrangement.
This
was God’s law to the Israelites regarding marriage: “You must form no marriage
alliance with them. Your daughter you must not give to his son and his daughter
you must not take for your son.” Similarly, Christians are advised to marry
“only in the Lord,” that is, to marry only fellow worshipers of Jehovah. (Deut.
7:3; 1 Cor. 7:39) Such a requirement may appear to be overly restrictive.
But is it really? Judging from the prevalence of sexual immorality in the world
today, it is actually just as fitting and applicable as it was when God’s
people were living alongside the depraved Canaanites, or among the sexy
inhabitants of ancient Corinth.
So, then, if we are exhorted not to marry persons of another faith, would it
not be inappropriate to go out on dates with them?
God
intended marriage to be an especially close bond. In establishing the marriage arrangement, God
had in mind more than companionship. When He assigned the first couple the task
of rearing children and caring for their earthly home, he showed that they were
to work closely together in accomplishing his will. (Genesis 1:28) By
cooperating in serving God in this respect, man and woman would enjoy, not simply
companionship, but a close and lasting partnership.
Jesus alluded to this partnership when he
said the well-known words: “They are no longer two, but one flesh.
Therefore, what God has yoked together let no man put apart.” (Matthew
19:6) Jesus used metaphoric language to compare the marriage union to a yoke
that holds two draft animals together to pull or move a common load. Imagine
the strain on two yoked animals pulling in opposite directions! Similarly,
those who marry outside the true faith may find themselves straining to live
according to Bible principles while the mate resists. Appropriately, the Bible
states: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.”—2 Corinthians
6:14.
Consider
some difficult issues that may surface later in inter religious marriages: Where
will the family worship? What religious training will the children receive?
Which faith will the family support financially? Will one mate insist on
sharing in certain religious customs and holidays that the other considers
pagan? (Isaiah 52:11) Every marriage requires each partner to make reasonable
adjustments; however, a compromising Bible principle—even to preserve a
marriage—is unacceptable to God. As we consider that marriage shout be a bond
with spirit and truth as God as the center and as the Bible poetically states
that a threefold cord cannot quickly be torn in two.
However
if sharing common values is a key to a successful marriage, would it be wise to
marry just anyone who professes to be a Christian? The Bible answers: “He that
says he remains in union with [Jesus] is under obligation himself also to go on
walking just as that one walked.” (1 John 2:6) Thus, a Christian
contemplating marriage would seek a fellow Christian who truly strives to
follow Jesus. Such a prospective mate would have dedicated his life to God and
been baptized. He would imitate Jesus’ loving personality and his zealous
preaching of God’s Kingdom. As was true of Jesus, he would center his life
around doing God’s will..
Yes it
is really a dilemma for us adult to find a marriage partner there are a lot of
restrains however keeping in mind the counsel above would really help. We
should take note that counsel in the Bible does not support racial or ethnicprejudices. God’s Word promotes racial impartiality. The apostle Peter spoke
clearly on this point: “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but
in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to
him.” At the same time, the Bible does teach that true worshipers of God should
marry “only in the Lord.”
By
patiently waiting for a suitable partner within God’s family of worshipers,
those contemplating marriage set a pattern of putting God’s will first in their
lives. Such a pattern will ultimately contribute to a happier, more satisfying
marriage.
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