COUNSELLING YOUNG PEOPLE ON THE BLESSEDNESS OF MARRIAGE

 

Introduction:

Counselling young people, male and female that are discussing why it is good or not good to marry. To make them see the good is marriage. I will let them know that marriage is a blessed thing even though their background from the experience seen around them may be painful and hurting. Marriage is a union of two imperfect people. I will let them know that marriage is a wonderful thing if things are done in the right way. Marriage is a blessing to the couple and all around them. In situation where the foundation is no based on Christ things will not work well. Furthermore, I will let them know that the blessedness of marriage can be seen in a Christian home. A Christian home begins when two people, a Christian man and a Christian woman, who love the Lord and each other, enter into a holy matrimony before God and man as husband and wife. This home continues as they live their life in the likeness and imitation of Christ. The book of Malachi 2:14 speak of the wife of thy covenant. There is a covenant made not only between man and a woman, but it also involves God. The number of the congregation present does not matter, what matter most is that the marriage is made in Christ. Marriage is more than a civil legal and social contract; it is a divine covenant that binds a divinely determined relationship with divinely appointed purpose. To have a blessed marriage start from knowing the will of God concerning marriage, choice, courtship, career, to family life. The following explanation would be giving to them.

 

Marriage Is For Life:

The law of God concerning marriage applies to everyone. If a child is born into a relationship that is not legitimate, such is sin of adultery and fornication. The institution of marriage starts from the Garden of Eden when God created Adam and Eve. Marriage must be entered with the determination that it is a permanent and lifelong relationship (Romans 7:2,3; 1 Cor 7:39). Marriage should be contracted for continuity in sickness, in health, in riches or poverty regardless of age, social status etc. till death. The Bible does not give room for divorce. As said in marriage vow; “it is for better for worse, in richer or poorer, sickness or health until death.

 

Knowing the Will of God on Choice to Make:

Young people male and female should first of all be a born again child of God and knows how to seek the face of concerning issues that affect their lives. They should know how God speaks to them either through dreams, visions, still small voice, prophesies or the word of God. In the choice they should allow God to lead them. If there are arise any challenge or problem in their marriage they will able to call of God for solutions. Young people should not allow the influence of wealth, position, beauty, socials status influence their choice in marriage. They should allow God to choose their partner for them.

 

Purity In Courtship:

The problem most problem young people face is lack purity during courtship. Many because of their carelessness falls victims to this. Courtship should be used to know each other better but not for committing the sin of fornication. If the relationship is well define and rules and guidelines for their meeting are put in place this will help them out. To avoid the problem of sinning, young would-be-couple couple should meet in a place that would be open like the Pastor’s house or the house of an elderly person to discuss issues like their career, job, member of children they want to have, where they want to live etc.

 

Will Of God Concerning Marriage:

The first marriage was instituted by God which brought Adam and Eve together. The will of God concerning marriage must be respected “i.e. what God has joined together should not be put asunder (Matthew 19:6)”. Marriage is where each put his or her mate before all else, everyone except the Lord. The Lord should be put first in our marriage. The teaching of God is to “leave … and cleave” (Matthew 19:5). The two become one in the Lord. It is a case of forsaking all others and keeping oneself to the mate as long as both shall live. Couples in marriage are expected to be loyal to each other. The relationship of trust, loyalty, faithfulness and confidence are expected to be built in homes. There should be kindness, forbearance, cooperation, consideration and longsuffering. It is no longer “me, my and mine,” but “we, us and ours” in all things.

 

 

What Is Expected In Marriage?

Marriage composed of two people who have counted the cost, who are willing to pay the price and would reap the benefits from God. Love should be expresses in marriage. It is where couples know they belong, accepted and loved. Christian marriage is where ties of love and compassion are at the best. This does not mean perfection, but each one seeks the other’s highest good. Marriage is sacred and is used by the Holy Spirit to depict the relationship that exists between Christ and His church. The man is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and the woman is to submit and reverence her husband as the church does to Christ. Also marriage is expected to be a place where children are moulded and formed into adults. Ad Christians it should be to the glory of God. Marriage should be seen by the young ones as union where selflessness, honesty, sacrifice for the right, morality, honour, the dignity of labour, purity of speech, respect for others, entertainment and recreation compatible with living for God. Couples should learn to spend and be spent for the cause of righteousness. It is where children are taught to respect God and His will and respect authorities and rules, also learn to discern between good and evil and have love for the church

 

Reflection On Blessedness Of Marriage:

Marriage provides strength and a rich and righteous heritage, something to live by and for, recognition of mission and purpose in life, goals and aspirations that leads towards heaven.  In marriage a child is taught duty, responsibility and cultivates self-respect as well as respect for others and given the pattern to follow in life. Spirituality and salvation is the most concern of every Christian marriage. The case of Noah is a typical biblical example of a family. Noah was a righteous man and he at least able to save his own family from the flood and found grace in the sight of God (Gen 6:8). We can do that also if we walk with God like he did. Marriage is where the love of God is taught, obeyed, and faithful service is rendered unto God. Marriage should be free from strife, tension, hate, competition and pressure that can and do destroy good healthy relationship. Marriage is composed of people who follow the way of the Lord, and learn how to cope with whatever life brings. Marriage gives capacity to overcome weakness and temptations.

 

Keys To A Blessed Marriage:

Couples in marriage should learn to have quality time with each other, forgive each other and communicate effectively for happiness to be experienced. The major teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ on that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with our entire mind and loving our neighbour as ourselves (Mathew 22:35-40) will also make our marriage to be a heaven on earth. Every marriage problem can be traced back to one or both partners failing to abide by these two laws. If couple begin to focus on personal wants and needs over those of God or the other partner, there will be trouble. Praying together in marriage on issues that best affect both partners would make marriage more blessed. Issues like financial pressures, child rearing, work, career, extended family, in-laws etc., could be committed to the Lord for way out with adequate planning for way out if they arise.