GOD'S INTENTION FOR MARRIAGE

Life for Adam continued in the Garden of Eden. He enjoyed the presence of God and obeying God's commandments. He began to take care of the Garden of Eden and gave names to the animals. But Adam had no suitable helper, so God created Eve out of his rib. God blessed their relationship, uniting them as husband and wife; thus, the institution of marriage was established (Genesis 2:19-25). Adam and Eve enjoyed the perfect environment. They did not lack anything. Genesis 2:25 says, "Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." Their nakedness represents their purity and innocence, free from any sin. Here are the commandments that God had given them: "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food" (Genesis 1:28-29). 

God designed marriage to be the foundation of families that would create societies. In other words, marriage should come before having children, not the other way around. Because of this, it is very important to point out that biblical marriage is between a man and a woman, like Adam and Eve, so that procreation is possible. Adam and Eve's marriage serves as the blueprint for all marriages. Adam was the head of his relationship with Eve, just as Ephesians 5:23 says, "For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church." The responsibility of the husband was to love his wife. Ephesians 5:28 says, "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." As men care for and protect their bodies, so do they care for and protect their wives. For the wives, they must respect their husbands, just as written in Ephesians 5:33, "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." The wife should not usurp the authority of her husband. As Adam and Eve walked with God, both of them became one in love and respect. The key to their marriage is for both of them to put God in the center of their relationship and follow Him. 

I want to point out that for those who read this devotion as singles, dating or engagement is not marriage; therefore, sexual intercourse is off limits. If we want God to bless our relationships, we must follow God's standard of marriage because he is the one who designed it for our own good. If we fail in this area already, we must repent and go back to the center of God's will and get married. Sex outside marriage is a sin, and it is not acceptable to God because it is considered adultery. Adultery always destroys what is good in us, and it affects who we are in Christ Jesus.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Am I willing to follow the purpose that God intended for marriage? If I am single, why is it important to practice abstinence (no sexual relationships) until I am married? As a husband, am I leading my marriage in a godly manner and loving my wife? As a wife, am I showing respect to my husband? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me an understanding of what marriage is all about. Please help me to obey and follow your ways. Please continue to work in my heart and make me the person that you want me to be. Please take away my pride and self-centeredness. Please make me humble before you and others. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.