Love marriage; don't frown on it!
Love marriage; don't frown on it! God created this wonderful and unique institution which was meant to be pleasing to you, and honor Him as well.
I feel that this day in time many of our young people do not place as much emphasis or importance on marriage as they once did in years past. Why do I say this? Well, it's so obvious. Many people in our society, young and old, are shacking up, living together outside the boundaries of marriage, instead of actually tying the knot, which of course is a complete sin against God! Read it in Hebrews 13:4 and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
You may know of people, or perhaps you find yourself in the same situation, who have decidedly given up on the thought of ever getting married. Perhaps it is due to having parents whose own marriage fell apart, or feeling unattractive towards the opposite sex, or having no time to pursue a mate, or maybe you just can't be bothered in looking around, but prefer that "special someone" to come looking for you.
We each may have found ourselves in these situations or circumstances before, but should not deter us any further. Negative feelings and emotions about love marriage can be challenged, if only one is willing to do so.
love marriage "coz it ain't what it used to be"
Back in historical times of the 1800's in the Victorian Era, the role of the single lady was to do anything and everything to catch a male suitor. Much of her concentration would be that of attracting a man with her feminine ways in hopes that he would marry her. Women did not really work outside the home; nor were they very educated; nor could they own property; so the only way they saw to have a decent life and not be left out in the cold, or have some other man in the family to take care of them, was to marry well (someone who had a prominent state in life and business, or who owned property).
According to the article, "Courting The Victorian Woman", by Michelle J. Hoppe, from www.literary-liaisons.com, "Courtship was considered more a career move than a romantic interlude for young men, as all of a woman's property reverted to him upon marriage. Therefore, courting was taken very seriously--by both sides. Men and women were careful not to lead the other on unnecessarily." Wow! What a far cry that is from today's standards!
You may turn your nose up to the concept of love marriage. I have heard many say that marriage only benefits the man, but indeed, it benefits the woman as well. Consider some of these advantages of having wedded bliss:
- Married women are more protected within their position as a wife in the courts and judicial system, and especially if she has children. Her husband is there as a protector within the relationship as well.
- Many times a married wife and mother can choose to be a stay-at-home mom instead of a working mom if she wishes, or if it is financially feasible to do so. She and her family are generally provided for due to her husband's role as the provider of the family.
- The husband and wife both have each other as a best friend and life-long companion. In an ideal setting this is true. You are not so lonely when there is someone by your side to share your life with.
- You can share expenses and savings together. This is an advantage for some couples since both partners do not necessarily have to work, unless he/she chooses to or needs to for financial reasons.
- You can both share your dreams and goals together as a unified force. Many Christian marriages also have ministries they participate in together .
love marriage: two words that should always go together
Are you familiar with this song by Frank Sinatra? It has a lot of meaning within its lyrics. My sisters and I used to sing this cute little tune when we were kids as we each shared our dreams of getting married one day. You may want to think on the value and meaning of these words as well. It's entitled, "LOVE AND MARRIAGE". Here's how it goes:
" Love and marriage, love and marriage; Go together like a horse and carriage. This I tell you brother; You can't have one without the other. Love and marriage, love and marriage; It's an institute you can't disparage. Ask the local gentry; And they will say it's elementary. Try, try, try to separate them; It's an illusion. Try, try, try, and you will only come; To this conclusion: Love and marriage, love and marriage; Go together like a horse and carriage; Dad was told by Mother; You can't have one, you can't have none; You can't have one without the other. Try, try, try to separate them; It's an illusion. Try, try, try and you will only come; To this conclusion: Love and marriage, love and marriage; Go together like a horse and carriage. Dad was told by Mother; You can't have one (You can't have none); You can't have one without the other!" (Songwriters: James Van Heusen, Sammy Cahn; Warner/ Chappell Music Inc., IMAGEM MUSIC INC.; Data from LyricFind)
Unfortunately you will find those who have gotten married, had children, and have lived their lives together in a loveless marriage. This is truly sad because without love life is just harder on all ends. Having love for each other is so necessary in raising children and to sustain them throughout various crises and difficult times within their marriage. Remember love marriage: two words that simply must go together.
love marriage in the biblical way
God demonstrated His great and wondrous love when He sent the Saviour down to save us on this earth. Look at John 3:16-17, where it says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." His example proves that love comes with sacrifice and devotion. This type of love is what is needed in our marriages today.
Love marriage within your own spousal relationship because in doing so, you also show your children the true meaning and value of married life and what part that love will play in it as the years go by.
I love to see elderly married couples, helping each other lovingly walk down the street together, hand in hand. That sight just blesses my heart so much and makes me feel there is hope for future marriages yet! They act so tenderly towards one another.
Here are a few passages of Scripture that speak on the love marriage relationship, and what it should look like. If you are married, do these verses ring true for you?
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 reminds us of how we are to love marriage: "Charity suffereth long; and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up; Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophesies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away."
- Proverbs 3:11-12 says, "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction: For whom the Lord loveth, He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
- 1 Peter 3:1-2 tells us, "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear."
- 1 Peter 3:7-12 says, "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye shall inherit a blessing, For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." Furthermore, we find in:
- Ephesians 5:31-33 where it characterizes more of the love marriage bond, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."
Finally, pose these questions to yourself, especially if you are married, "Do I have a love marriage relationship with my husband/wife"? Am I and my spouse doing everything we can to show each other this kind of deep, abiding love? Do our children or other members of the family see this in our marriage?
Look to the Saviour as your true example for love--for life. If things need to improve in your marriage, ask the Lord for His guidance in revealing to you the answers of these questions and more from His Word.
Psalms 119:103-105 says, "How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore, I hate every false way. Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." May the Lord bless you and your spouse as you both continue to love marriage.
Related Articles:
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Family Parenting: Instilling Principles And Values In Your Children For Life
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Marriage In The Christian Home
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