DOES GOD JOIN ALL MARRIAGES BETWEEN A MAN AND WOMAN TOGETHER?

God's purpose was that two people come together as one and made one by an act of commitment followed by sexual union and should continue until death separate them or act of unfaithfulness or desertion. It is by the act of sexual union that a man and a woman are made one, joined together in the act by God. God's law of marriage applies to all men whether they are Christians or not because all will stand before the judgement seat of Christ one day and give an account of the things they have done in the body as stated in 2 cor.5:10 "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body".

When we look at the bible teaching on marriage as mentioned by Jesus in Matt 19:5-6, God joins marriages between man and a woman together. God said in Genesis 2:24, that when a man and woman leave their parents and are married for the first time it is acceptable to God. Once they are married,God has joined them together and no man can separate them. This is God's law of marriage. God emphasizes that this union is not made by man but by God. Does this refers only to a christian marriage? If that were true, then all non-Christian marriages would not be marriages, they would simply be a man and woman living together in an adulterous relationship.

When two people are joined in a marriage and they consummate that relationship in the marriage bed, it is a union made by God. Even the marriage that was consummated as an act of rebellion against God is still a marriage which God has made into an indissolvable union. This does not make God guilty of sin because He cannot sin. Rather,in accomplishing His divine purpose, God ultilizes the sinful desires of man. For example, God allowed the brothers of Joseph to commit the dastardly crime of selling their younger brother into slavery so that later, Joseph, as Prime Minister of Egypt, would be able to save them from starvation. Likewise, God can utilize a sinfully contracted marriage for His own purposes. God informs us that once a marriage is consummated, a union has come into being by the action of God. 

Then when we talk about Christians being  an unequally yoked with unbelievers as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 6:14, the most common understanding of this verse is that Paul is telling Christians not to marry an unbeliever. He clearly said this in his first letter to the Corinthians. That is an appropriate interpretation and application. Contrary to the wisdom of our age that says what we believe is really not important in the grand scheme of things and that two different religions should have no problem living under the same roof, the reality is the opposite. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you have no business entering into a marriage with a non-Christian. More than that, as a follower of Christ you are united with Christ and He dwells in you by the presence of the Holy Spirit. With your spouse you are also to become one. You are to be united in a deep and very real spiritual way. That can’t happen if your spirit is united with Christ and theirs is not.

But the imagery and context here goes beyond that of marriage. The verses following 6:14 bring to mind images related to worship. The Corinthians had a huge problem living in the midst of numerous temples to false gods and a society that was built on such idolatry. Paul is telling the Corinthians to make sure that they keep their fellowship with Christ and their worship of God free from the pollution of idolatry. The references to the Temple, to idols, to Belial, and a quote from Leviticus and Isaiah bring the worship context to the foreground. This is a verse about compromising who God is and our worship of Him. We are not to mix with the religious practices of the idolatry of the world.

EXTRA-MARITAL AFFAIR

An extramarital affair is the most difficult situation that can affect a marital relationship. It eliminates the emotional bond between spouses, violates the basic trust each partner has for each other and it jeopardizes the health and well being of both parties. An affair is not only a sexual event—it is an emotional event. It is usually a consequence of the emotional distance between the married couple. In a rather paradoxical manner, the extramarital affair may also temporarily create closeness between the couple but will ultimately send the relationship into a terrifying state of panic. Usually, poor relationships between a husband and wife result in one of them or both seeking extramarital affairs. Sometimes, the involved partner will justify that the affair is an attempt at “disrupting the status quo” in his or her marriage - that is you must live together as custom demands but can still catch some fun outside because it is accepted in the world). If the relationship has drifted into stagnation, lack of emotional contact, habitual criticism and argument, constant conflict, or just plain emotional distance and coolness, then the affair will eventually put the final nail into the coffin. Culture does play a very significant role in our attitudes and actions regarding marriage. Christian marriage must not be shaped by culture, but by the cross of Christ, the Word of God, and the Spirit of God: Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-24). When Christians comes to marriage, we dare not allow the world (our culture) to shape our thinking, our attitudes, or our actions. WHOSOEVER INDULGES IN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR LACKS UNDERSTANDING AND DESTROYS HIS OWN SOUL! DO NOT ALLOW FIVE MINUTES EXTRAMARITAL PLEASURE DESTROY YOUR SOUL! The consequences are too much to bear.

Most times, why people engage themselves in extra-marital affairs is this single reason that they are not satisfied by their partners or their partners do not have time for them. Marriage is not where you can go out to catch some fun when you are not satisfied at home. It is sacred! If you are not satisfied sexually, it is your responsibility to work on improving your sex life until it gets better. This flimsy reason for engaging in extra-marital affair will only take you to hell eventually if you do not repent now.

There is no place for all fornicators and adulterers in heaven. Be wise!

MAIN REASON WHY PEOPLE MAKE A WRONG CHOICE IN MARRIAGE

The main reason why people make a wrong choice in marriage is the simple fact that when you fall in love initially it creates emotions that overpower "REASONING" . Too often they hurry to develop an intimate relationship based on their strong feeling. Feeling aren't enough to support a lasting relationship.  Do not  force romance lest the feeling of love develop faster than the commitment to make love last  thereby  beclouding your sense of judgement and the ability to make a  right choice. Patiently wait for feelings of love and commitment to develop together in a relationship before making a life time commitment to it.

What fuels marriage so that love can be sustained is commitment! Christian marriage is founded on commitment. Love will only remain if the commitment to the marriage remains. Claiming to love someone without genuine commitment to that person is the same as building a house on a sand. We all know what will happen when a strong wind will blow the house. BE WISE!

FORGIVENESS

We always talk about forgiveness as a key ingredient in long lasting marriage relationship. But we forgot that a key ingredient in the forgiveness process is a sincere apology. In order for the forgiveness process to be meaningful, the person apologizing for his/her transgression must realize that when you apologize, when you say “I’m sorry” and really mean it, you are implying the following; I will work to change my behavior…I may not be perfect, but I will be mindful of how I hurt you and adjust my actions accordingly. 

An apology without a change in behavior at some point becomes meaningless, and the potential fallout is that over time your words and promises will be seen as hollow and you will be perceived as insincere and hypocritical. When our words stop mattering to our loved ones, when our words cannot be counted on, a betrayal of trust has occurred and the very foundation of the relationship is seriously compromised. So be mindful when you apologize, mindful of the responsibility that comes with your “I’m sorry.” Your words have significant power to influence and impact your partner but this power exists only when followed by behaviors and actions that support the underlying meaning of what you are vocalizing. No relationship will last if there is no trust. Partners can build trust to each other through time. It isn’t earned overtime and the only way for the marriage to endure if the couples are truthful and responsible.

A baby heart grown adults in a marriage is what every couple needs for sustenance of unity in a marriage relationship, but it does not ignore the fact that someone is being hurt but it becomes easy to forgive and forget and keep loving the person when the wrong done is realized and a sincere apology made. This is achievable when the Holy Spirit is at work in the heart of the couple.

Loving someone means having the courage to say you are sorry when your actions have hurt them and having faith in the strength of your relationship to handle the ensuing conflict. It also means having the grace to accept the apology of your partner and move on. These two steps of forgiveness open the door to effective communication to determine the actions you both will take to set things right and move forward into a stronger relationship.

 Loving your spouse is all about forgiveness, compassion, sacrifice, commitment, respect, encouragement, submission, etc. When you act on these things called love in your marriage, through your behaviors toward each other, this is how a husband loves his wife and a wife her husband; it is the fruit of the Spirit of Christ. What an awesome gift we have been blessed with! Be accountable to God and to your spouse in the marriage and start taking responsibility.

PROVERBS 31:10-31 AS APPLY TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN!!!

The word "WOMAN" in proverbs 31 verse 10 does not apply to wives as there are women that are not married and the verse did not say, who can find a virtuous wife? The Bible said that we are the bride of Christ (man/woman) and Christ our husband. So the scripture is referring to the man and the woman here as "WOMAN". It portrays our relationship with Christ and how we should relate to one another.

To show how Proverbs 31:10-31 would read if it were applied to men and their relationship with the Lord.

FOR THE MAN!

Who can find a virtuous man? for his price [is] far above rubies.

The heart of the Lord doth safely trust in him, so that the Lord shall have no need to intercede.

He will do good for the Lord and not evil all the days of his life.

He seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with his hands.

He is like the merchants' ships; he bringeth his food from afar.

He riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to his household, and a portion to his employees.

He considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of his hands he planteth a vineyard.

He girdeth his loins with strength, and strengtheneth his arms.

He perceiveth that his merchandise [is] good: his candle goeth not out by night.

He layeth his hands to the spindle, and his hands hold the distaff.

He stretcheth his hand to the poor; yea, he reacheth forth his hands to the needy.

He is not afraid of the snow for his household: for his household are clothed with scarlet.

He maketh himself coverings of tapestry; his clothing is silk and purple.

His Lord is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

FOR THE WOMAN!
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

He stretcheth out his hand to the poor; yea, he reacheth forth his hands to the needy.

He is not afraid of the snow for his household: for all his household [are] clothed with scarlet.

He maketh himself coverings of tapestry; his clothing [is] silk and purple.

The Lord is known in the gates, and has a place of honor when the elders of the land meet. (because of the virtuous man's good reputation)

He maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour [are] his clothing; and he shall rejoice in time to come.

He openeth his mouth with wisdom; and in his tongue [is] the law of kindness.

He looketh well to the ways of his household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

His children arise up, and call him blessed; the Lord [also], and He praiseth him.

Many believers have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a man [that] feareth the LORD, he shall be praised.

Give him of the fruit of his hands; and let his own works bring praises to the Lord in the gates of the City.