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The Covenant – part 2

By Pastor Enoch Adeboye
28 May 2017   |   4:27 am
Last week, we examined marital responsibilities. New life, peace and joy will now spring up in homes in Jesus name. We pray for deep insight and understanding for all.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Memory Verse: “…shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31

Scripture: Matthew 19:3-12

Introduction
Last week, we examined marital responsibilities. New life, peace and joy will now spring up in homes in Jesus name. We pray for deep insight and understanding for all. Patience, self-control, even-tempered actions and reactions will evolve to strengthen the cords of unity in Jesus’ name.

Divorce
How we wish we never had to face, discuss or even mention divorce. There is nothing like an amicable divorce. Dissolution of marriage is necessarily traumatic and always leaves painful scars. It is not within God’s plan, in fact He hates it, Matt. 19:7-8. Unfortunately, it is not even a rare occurrence anymore; the statistics are frightening, even in countries where it used to be illegal. The causes include, third party interference, satanic onslaught, immaturity, impatience, selfishness and wickedness, lust, covetousness, lack of self-control; Gen.2: 24; Mt.19: 4-6, Eph.4: 27; 1 Pet.5: 7-9, 1 Jn.4: 1, Eph.5.22-31; Rom.12: 1-2, 2 Cor.12: 5; Eph.5: 25-28. The hard-heartedness of man and the works of the flesh set out in, Gal. 5:19-21 is a good summary of causative factors in man’s quest to put asunder what God has joined together. If only we allow the fruit of the spirit to flourish in our homes, virtually every home will thrive. This is the ultimate antidote to the spate of dissolutions.

Watch and Pray
Any marriage can succeed, if the Author of the institution is allowed to take the driver’s seat and the parties cooperate with Him fully. Any marriage can fail, if the door is opened to the archenemy of everything lovely and he is given a foothold. Prayer, humility and obedience are basic weapons in the war to preserve homes and family life, 1 Pet.3: 4-7; Col.3: 18-20, Tit.2: 4, Jn.17: 20. The head is primarily responsible for leading every member of the family to Christ and instilling Christian values at home. This is the greatest test of his headship and leadership. The cheering news is that the Groom of the church is standing by and will help him, if only he will just ask. – Mk.11: 22, Rom.14: 23. Monogamy is the only marriage type recognised by God– Gen.29: 29-32 Mt.5: 31-32; Rom.7: 2-3.

Conclusion
No one has all the answers. Angels don’t marry and you’re anything but a saint. We all need God’s help, even if your marriage is ‘made in heaven.’ We are all different and so are our marriages. By the way, the head is responsible for the fate of the marriage. God help you, Mr. Head, in the mighty name of Jesus.

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