Bible Study March 13, 2025
“Two Become One (But It Takes Work)”
Genesis 2:21 – 2 ” 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.” (ESV).
When we look at marriage we wonder what it really is. Genesis 2 gives us a good beginning picture: two shall become one. God instituted marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Biblical marriage is between one man and one woman, period.
Marriage is a covenant between a man and woman with God at the center of a Christian marriage. The writer of Hebrews said marriage is an honorable thing among all. In Matthew 19:5 we see “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” They create an intimate bond with each other.
A marriage should be centered with both love and obedience. Paul telling the Ephesians this: “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”
Marriage should be permanent at least that is the picture painted by scripture. The divorce rate has lowered from ten percent to seven percent as recently as 2022. But why do some marriages fail and others thrive? There are multiple reasons but four primary ones I see are: finances, infidelity, communication and commitment.
People struggle financially living beyond their means and that creates financial problems in a marriage, all financial decisions must be discussed that involve major cash expenditures. Avoid credit cards. If you use one pay it off monthly. If you struggle with financial issues follow Dave Ramsey and his podcast you will benefit greatly.
Infidelity – a second issue I see. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus and off the drawings of the things around you, there are some places and things that you just do not do to avoid temptation. We know what they are we must follow what we know is right and acceptable in God’s eyes.
Communication – talk things out. There is no better way to live than communicating with one another, it will avoid long term conflict. Be willing to be a listener and listen without thinking about the next way you are going to respond with. I once had a zone director who never listened he always was thinking about how to respond I had no respect for his actions.
And lastly stay committed. In today’s world commitment seems to be outdated. There is nothing wrong with compromise. Marriage is not a 50 / 50 relationship it is giving more than you take and you find that you get more than you thought.
Paul gives us the true picture of marriage – Christ’s union with the church: “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.” Ephesians 5:25-27
Asbury Chapel 