September13 Thought for the day

Marriage is designed to provide practical companionship

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

9 Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

Marriage is designed to shape and refine our character

(Ephesians 5:25-27)

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

26 to make her holy, cleansing[b] her by the washing with water through the word,

27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Marriage is designed to teach us about Christ's love for his church

(Ephesians 5:32)

32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

THE THREE PURPOSES FOR MARRIAGE

God designed marriage for three primary purposes: companionship, procreation, and redemption.

COMPANIONSHIP

Companionship is the first purpose of marriage. In Genesis 2:18, the Lord said it wasn’t good for man to be alone.

God designed marriage so that man and woman could have a close relationship. This relationship is based on love, trust, and communication and provides a picture of our relationship with the Lord.

Marriage is where husband and wife can come together to share their lives and experiences.

PROCREATION

The second purpose of marriage is procreation. God designed marriage so couples could have children and raise them in loving homes. Children are a blessing from God, and it’s important that they be raised in a home where they can learn about God’s love.

A family grounded in God’s principles will be much more likely to succeed than one that doesn’t have this foundation.

REDEMPTION

The third purpose of marriage is redemption. God designed marriage so that man and woman could come together and be saved from their sins.

When husband and wife come together in holy matrimony, they commit to God’s plan for their lives. This plan includes raising children in a God-fearing home and helping each other stay on the path to salvation.

A healthy marriage is built on Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Marriage has three blessings:

The first is children, to be received and raised for God's service.

The second is the loyal faithfulness by which each serves the other.

The third is the sacrament of matrimony, which signifies the inseparable union of Christ with His Church.