Two Becomes One
Today, the focus is on the General Conference of the Church of God (Seventh Day) Southwest District, GC COG7 SWD, Marriage Ministry. At the very start of this post, it is important for you to know the greatest marriage of all is between Jesus Christ and his Church. If you are a believer, a disciple of Jesus Christ, you are part of that Church, the bride of Jesus Christ. And, in Jesus Christ, you can experience the fullness of that intimate relationship. Like other things symbolic of heavenly articles and ordinances, marriage can bring an experience that is incredibly significant for those who can have one. I say that for those who are single people who are completely devoted to God in service to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Benjamin and Priscila Sanchez are the SWD Marriage Ministry Directors. Before them, the SWD Marriage Ministry was launched and Directed by Joe and Claudia Acosta. Thank you, Brother Joe and Sister Claudia for the vision and energy of launching this SWD Ministry. You are appreciated very much. Benjamin and Priscila Sanchez have continued the path of developing this SWD Marriage Ministry vision and purpose. Thank you, Brother Benjamin and Sister Priscila for your willingness and devotion to building a team of Ministry Partners to administer the SWD Marriage Ministry.
Marriage is God’s plan for humanity in the procreation of life, the joy of intimate relationship, and the fellowship of shared experiences, visions, and goals in fulfilling the purpose found in the unity of a man and a woman. The fullest experience of human life is found in the bonds of marriage. However, marriage gains its true significance as it is used by our Lord to exemplify the unity in eternity of Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, with his holy bride called the Church. Therefore, the highest experience of life is found in the relationship of Jesus Christ with his bride composed of all believers in the gospel of the Messiah.
When a man and a woman unite in holy wedlock as believers in Jesus Christ, it is the greatest opportunity for a person, two people united so long as they both shall live, to glorify God in his design for humanity. Yes, it is symbolic. To God, symbolic things matter.
It goes without saying; therefore, we better say it. The main purpose of marriage is to glorify God and to be a representation of how Christ loves the church. In marriage you are not only committing to each other in companionship, you are committing to each other in everything. Nothing comes before your spouse. Obviously, God is the center piece of your marriage, but nothing besides the Lord is more important than your spouse.
Well, I am the Superintendent, not the SWD Marriage Ministry Directors. So, I will stop with exhortations about marriage. Instead, I will invite you to consider if God is calling you into his Kingdom service in the area of Marriage Ministry. If you are feeling that call on your heart for this ministry, please contact your SWD Area Director, the GC COG7 Office, the SWD Media Ministry Director, or me and you will be directed to Benjamin and Priscila Sanchez.
We will conclude the post on SWD Marriage Ministry with a few references from the scriptures.
What does the Bible say about marriage?
It says a lot. However, we will make only the briefest references here. Adam was not complete by himself. God designed mankind to be fulfilled the most when in communion with another person of the opposite gender.
Genesis 2:18, NIV
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Genesis 1:27, NIV
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Proverbs 18:22, NIV
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.
1 Corinthians 11:8-12, NIV
8. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;
9. neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.
10. It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
11. Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.
12. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.
2 Corinthians 6:14, NIV
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
Christ and the Church in Marriage
Marriage shows the relationship between Christ and the church and it is put on display in front of the whole world. It is to show how Christ loves the church and how the church is to be devoted to Him.
Ephesians 5:25-27, NIV
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.
Revelation 21:2, NIV
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 21:9, NIV
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb!
General Texts On Marriage
Jesus tells us what marriage is. It is between one man and one woman and they are to be one flesh sexually, spiritually, emotionally, financially, in ownership, when making decisions, in one goal to serve the Lord, in one home, etc. God joins a husband and a wife in one flesh and nothing shall separate what God has joined together.
Matthew 19:4-6, NIV
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Amos 3:3, NIV
Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
Colossians 3:19, NIV
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Ephesians 5:33, NIV
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
My Personal Experience
By the grace of God and true commitment between my wife, Mary, and me, we will celebrate 49 years of marriage on July 15, 2020, Lord willing we should both live so long. Marriage is not designed to be perpetually blissful without tribulations. Troubles are usually of the making of the two marriage partners. However, there are other times when tribulation comes within a marriage from outside the union. Marriage is, however, meant to be a most fulfilling institution, second only to the institution of our relationship with Jesus Christ.
If you are married, I hope you find purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction in your marriage. I hope you use your marriage to glorify God, be an example to the Church, and demonstrate the love God shows towards people. If you are not married, I hope you will find a spouse in this life that will complete you as God designed you to be completed.
Blessings and peace to you in the name of Jesus.
