Matthew 19:3-5 The Message(MSG)
3 One day the Pharisees were badgering him: “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4-6 He answered, “Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh—no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.”
One of the things that happens when we’re single for a long time is that we begin to take the comforts of single life for granted. Yes, it gets lonely sometimes, but we shouldn’t fool ourselves. There are some perks that we like quite nicely and may not be admitting it. For instance, we become very comfortable with not having to consider another person’s feelings, opinions, or desires when it comes to our own decision making. If you want to go on a trip with the girls, you go. You want a new car and can afford it, you buy it. You want to save money rather than splurge; you do that too. The thing to consider is that this and some of the other perks of single life must be reined in when you’re about to take that walk down the aisle.
This can be a challenging transition for both the man and woman, and some are not able to make it successfully. Jesus Christ has given us God’s standard in Matthew 19:5, and it is such that through marriage, the two, the man and the woman, are bonded together into one. This happens spiritually once the marriage is consummated, but it’s a mistake to think that becoming bonded together mentally and emotionally happens instantly. The mental and emotional bonding takes time as the couple keeps Jesus Christ at the center of their union and grow together.
We must never forget that the marital union between man and woman was created and established by God. This is His divine plan, and because it is, you and I have no other choice but to know in the deepest part of our being that this plan is golden. It is the absolute best that could exist. Heavenly Father has ordained marriage for human beings and His plan for unity will never go out of style. Modern times cannot cancel out what God has ordained. Marriage came from His thoughts, and He gave the woman to the man and the man to the woman to accomplish His plan and purpose. Together, these two are to learn to walk together.
This will inevitably mean that even as they grow through their years together, both will need to give up things that they rather enjoy. Some of the perks of singledom that we’ve unknowingly carried into married life will have to go, and this we know is not always easy. But it is indeed necessary, and the benefits will far exceed the things that are no longer useful to a couple’s journey together.
As separate individuals, both have spiritual lessons to learn in order to grow in Jesus Christ. Rather than sulking or harboring resentment about what you’ve surrendered and let go, don’t talk about it incessantly, throw it in the other spouse’s face, or focus on regrets. Instead, truly treasure the other person according to the standard God has commanded. Don’t worry about what you’re letting go, because ‘letting go’ of the less useful to gain the more useful is a vital part of growing in Christ. Stay focused on the Lord and have faith in Him that everything is working out as it should.■
Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright ©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
“A Couple’s Journey Together in Christ”, written by Kim Times, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2021. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.