The Guardian (Nigeria)

Two- becoming- One

- By Ayo Daniels

WHydid God create marriage? God created marriage to reveal His nature. Marriage was never man’s idea, so man cannot adequately define its intricacie­s. Marriage is a heavenly concept with divine implicatio­ns. Marriage is so important that God didn’t waste a moment from the beginning introducin­g this awesome institutio­n for the benefits of mankind. Marriage isn’t just a part of God’s perfect Creation; it is also His beautiful gift to hu

manity. Everything God created was for a purpose. He gave man all for food, pleasure, to cultivate, subdue, replenish and rule, being the steward of the Earth ( Genesis 1: 26- 28, 31, Genesis 2: 24)

The Bible remains our reference in defining what marriage means from the principle of first mention before man’s known civilisati­on. So, what does the Bible say about marriage? Why did God create this beautifull­y messy thing called holy matrimony? These are often thoughts expressed by humans out of their interactio­ns in marriage. God made everything to show His nature. Every star, plant, animal, cell, light, wind, and sound were created for a purpose ( Romans 1: 20). Creation was only good until the introducti­on of man and woman who made it very good. God’s decision to bring the man and woman together in marriage wasn’t an afterthoug­ht, but for His purposes to be fulfilled through the family unit. He used marriage to masterfull­y paint a picture of His love and redemption plan for man. Marriage is above any earthly institutio­n. It is not just a man and woman living together with a legal document signed by the state in a ceremony. Marriage is an earthly symbol of a heavenly truth. Marriage is a picture of Christ and His relationsh­ip with His church, which is premised on love and commitment. God cre

ated marriage for cooperatio­n, companions­hip, compassion and teamwork. The symbol of unity within marriage is a powerful tool for stability in the society beyond the desires of the married couple. Their relationsh­ip, when they choose to operate in obedience to God’s Word, is the representa­tion of the gospel, the redemption of man being reconciled through Christ to God.

Ayo Daniels, a family life passionate, writes from Lagos. You can reach him on ayodaniels@ mrlworld. com

TO BE CONTINUED

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