What....Marriage?

The Courier Mail yesterday ran an article which I think should have made first page news so important the information is to our crumbling society.  The article was called "Reforms urged for children in crisis" and was a major report  to be presented to Federal parliament on findings conducted by the University of Sydney and calling "for a return to conservative family values" especially for the behalf of children.  It reported on the deterioration of mental stability, particularly of girls (66% increase in mental disease for 12-14 year olds and a 90% increase for girls aged 15-17).  The major factor is this was the breakdown of the family unit and the introduction of "unstable and conflictual family relationships of Australian families."   The report went on to argue that significant increase in the risk of the emotional instability of children was because of the rise of new partners not biologically related to the children and also  the stress of single parentedness.

It is not surprising that marriage is under attack for if satan can divide the family, he leaves in the wake, broken children who carry the scars of the loss of a secure and nurturing environment  with the unconditional love of both parents and the subtle choosing of sides they should never had to endure.  In turn, they carry these hurts into future relationships and the devastating cycle goes on down through generation after generation.

Whenever we think that we can destroy what God has put together, and He sanctioned marriage as a covenant until "death do us part", we exalt ourselves above the Maker, who know what is good for us.  He wrote the model of marriage in the bible and He also presents this as a picture of the relationship between Christ and us.  Intimate, one in unity and loving!  I'm certainly glad that Christ does not divorce us, even though as far as I'm concerned, He probably has every right to do so because of the hardness of our hearts.

God has called us to be Holy, and warns us that if we are not holy, we will not see Him and marriage is His institution that teaches us how to be Holy.

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (1Pe 1:13-16)

Where else can we learn the fruit of righteousness, choosing to be holy instead of getting our own way?

Where else do we learn the fruit of humility and not always be right?

Where else do we learn to forgive (as Christ forgave us) and not hold on to offences?

Where else do we learn not to walk in the way of the flesh, not spitting out whatever our hurt little heart desires and so tear down instead of building each other up?

Where else do we learn that the earth does not revolve around us, and our petty little hurts, but instead we have a choice, set aside our selfishness (ouch!) and look at the important issues in bringing up healthy, mature, well adjusted children with our spouse?

Where else do we learn to walk as Jesus did, doing good to each other, healing, loving, forgiving and guiding?

Where else can we nurture and guide, TOGETHER, the young impressionable, ETERNAL souls into the Kingdom of God, showing the expression of love and forgiveness and selfless living?  Or will we play Russian roulette with our eternal life and theirs by teaching them to live in the flesh, disdain God's ways and disregard the feelings and wellbeing of the family unit?

God calls us to the "bond of peace", beseeching us "to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavouring  to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Eph 4:1-3)

Why is keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace so important?  It shows we are the children of God.  Father, Son and Holy Spirit display for us complete unity and harmony, contentedness, love, respect, honour, preferring the other members of the Trinity so much so that they are completely ONE.  There is no division amongst them, three persons in ONE.

And we are called to this ONENESS.  One with them and one with each other!  And where else do we learn submission?  Yes, a hard and difficult word, made all the more awful because of our human self-centredness and self seeking living.

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?  You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. Jas 3:16 –Jas 4:2 

Children of God, we are called to walk a higher walk and imitate Jesus.  Let's us not lay the blame at our spouse's feet but take the responsibility that we too are marred, and touchy, self-seeking and wanting our own way and will.  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to soften our hearts and to whisper when we are out of line.  Let's ask for help to extend grace to each other and hold our tongues.  Let's ask Him to help us submit to His ways, for surely in doing so, we will crucify the flesh become more like Christ and enjoy the fruit of peace, unity and joy in our marriages.

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. 3Jn 1:11 

 
Amen?