Marriage is sacred

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Genesis 2:24

Marriage is sacred. In the Old Testament, the prophets use it to describe God’s relationship with his people Israel: “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord” (Hos. 2:19). God reveals his love to all people in a special way in the unique bond between husband and wife.

In our present-day culture, the institution of marriage is teetering on the brink of disaster. Much of what is called love is nothing but selfish desire. Even in marriage many couples live together selfishly. People are deceived in thinking that fulfillment can be found without sacrifice and faithfulness, and even though they may live together, they are afraid to love each other unconditionally.

Still, amid millions of floundering and ruined marriages, God’s love stands eternal and cries out for constancy and devotion. There is a voice deep within each of us, however muffled, that calls us back to faithfulness. On some level, all of us yearn to be united – with free and open hearts – to somebody, to some other “thou.” And if we turn to God in the trust that such unity with another is possible, we can find the fulfillment of our longing.

True fulfillment comes from giving love to another person. Yet love does not only seek to give; it also longs to unite. If I really love another person, I will be interested in knowing what is in him and willing to be led out of my one-sidedness. In love and humility I will help him to the possibility of a full awakening, first toward God, and then toward others. True love is never possessive. It always leads to the freedom of faithfulness and purity.

The faithfulness between a husband and wife is a reflection of God’s eternal faithfulness, for it is God who brings every true bond together. In God’s faithfulness we find the strength to let love flow through our lives, and to let our gifts unfold for each other. In the love and unity of the church it is possible to become of one spirit with every brother and sister, and also to become of one heart and soul with them (Acts 4:32).

God Bless,
Woman2Woman Lounge