By Ezekiel Kimosop
Before answering the question on the place of children in a Christian marriage, allow me to address the context of marriage within the Biblical worldview which is governed by the authority of Scripture. I will conclude with a statement describing my Biblical view on children in a marriage relationship.
1) A Christian marriage must be heterosexual. It is between one believing Christian man and one believing Christian woman, both of mature age and both wilfully consenting to the marriage in the fear of God (Genesis 2:23-24).
2) A Christian marriage is monogamous. It is exclusive to the two. No other parties are contemplated in the marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."
3) A Christian marriage can only terminate on the death of either party. At this point, the surviving spouse is at liberty to remarry if they so choose.
There's therefore no room for divorce in a Christian marriage. Jesus never permitted it and it was never God's intention from the beginning. Matthew 19:4-6 says "And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
4) Where the Christian couple is compelled by some circumstances to separate, neither shall remarry so long as both shall be alive. Their only option is to reconcile and be restored to each other (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).
5) Where a person comes to Christ but was otherwise married to an unbeliever, they should remain in the marriage (1 Corinthians 7:12-14).
If however the unbelieving spouse decides to leave the marriage, not wishing to remain married to the believer, the believer is at liberty to remarry. (1 Corinthians 7:15).
6) A Christian marriage does not depend on children being born to it. It is founded on a solemn covenant between the two. Children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3-5).
CONCLUSION
A Christian marriage subsists independently of any unfolding realities brought about by earthly afflictions such as childlessness (or barrenness) illness, lack, or suffering. God is the author of this marriage and He alone sustains, nourishes and blesses the marriage. It should glorify Him.
A Christian marriage is a shadow of the relationship between Christ and His Church. It is founded on covenant faithfulness, love, fellowship and support.
Ephesians 5:22-33 says "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."
Shalom
© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020
No comments:
Post a Comment