Beth-El Baptist Church

05/02/2010

Greg Tomlinson


What does the Christian married life look like? (Part 2)


There are many people who believe that married life is to be preferred over the single life. Besides having a partner in life, the married life is different than the single life.


  1. What defines a married person?

Genesis 2:22-24; 24:50-54; 24:64-67 1 Corinthians 6:15-17; 7:2-5


Marriage is the first human institution created by God. It is the very public recognition of a unique relationship between a man and a woman. It is a relationship that is more than just sexual union since sexual union can also exist in the confines of an adulterous relationship or with a prostitute but neither of these relationships are identified as being marriages. Marriage also consists of a public recognition and acknowledgment of the uniqueness of the relationship.


God's definition of marriage is the union of only one man and only one woman for their entire life. It can be very difficult though to understand how such men as David (a man after God's own heart) and Solomon (the wisest man who ever lived) could be considered as Godly and yet had many wives without being rebuked for it.


Genesis 6:1-2; 4:19-24; 3:1-7 Deuteronomy 17:17

1 Kings 11:1-8


Notice that the only specific issue associated with the Noahic flood is that men took wives of all which they chose, which speaks of plural wives. There is condemnation for plural wives. Even before the flood, Lamech who had two wives shows his disdain for women in that he associated his prestige more with having plural wives than with a Godly life. Furthermore a specific command from God to kings is that they should not multiply the number of their wives. As David and Solomon, demonstrate (as do Abraham and Jacob) that having plural wives let to numerous problems. David's plural wives most likely facilitated his willingness to sin with Bathsheba. Solomon's plural wives led Solomon away from God which is exactly what God said would happen. The condemnation against plural wives does not need to be specific since each man with plural wives had to live in the midst of that unwise decision.


2 Peter 1:20-21 Matthew 19:4-6

1 Corinthians 7:1-2


The fact that God's original design for marriage was only one man and one woman as defined in Genesis by Moses is known to be true because God told Moses of that fact, Jesus confirmed it. Paul explained it.


  1. How should they view married life and singled life?

Mark 10:6-9 Matthew 19:4-8; 19:12

Genesis 1:28 1 Corinthians 6:15-17

Proverbs 18:22


Both singleness and married life are gifts from God. One is for the purpose of bearing and raising children as well as personal intimacy with their spouse. The other for greater dedication to serving the Lord. Regardless of being married or single, it is important to remain faithful and committed to serve the Lord first and foremost.


  1. What are some unique challenges to married life?

Hebrews 13:4 1 Corinthians 7:1-5; 7:10-14; 7:29-34

Amos 3:3 Proverbs 5:18-20

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Ephesians 5:21-28; 5:31-32

Ephesians 4:25-27 Numbers 30:2-8

Isaiah 3:12


One challenge of life is remaining pure and dedicated to their spouse. The temptations of this world are great so it takes great effort to protect the marriage relationship. The married life also needs to include the involvement and the interests of the spouse. The ability to focus upon the things of the Lord is diminished as a result of being married and the need to care for the needs of the spouse. An additional challenge to being married is the wife being willing to submit to the leadership of her husband and for the husband to sacrificially love his wife by providing for her needs before his own wants and needs.


  1. What are some unique blessings in life?

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Psalm 127:3-5

Deuteronomy 6:6-9


One of the great blessings of married life is the reality that in the married life there is someone to help you through the difficult times. Children are often the results of a marriage relationship. The children are a gift from God to the married couple. This also results in every house being a sanctuary before God with the husband/father being the pastor of his own house teaching his children and his wife the words of God.


  1. How then is the married life to be conducted?

Matthew 6:24-34 John 6:27-29

2 Timothy 4:1-5


The life of the married person is to be lived out seeking God; seeking His divine guidance and His divine presence. It includes the proclamation of the Gospel, ministering to others and drawing closer to God for service.


The married person is in a unique position to demonstrate in a living form the relationship that exists between the Lord Jesus Christ and His bride, the church. People may be able to see the selfless love and compassion as well as the focused personal dedication that exists with Christ and His people by looking at a marriage that is being lived out according to the very Word of God.