Family

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Dearly Beloved,

FOR BETTER FOR WORSE

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:24-25, KJV).

Marriage is one of the oldest institutions created by God. God has many reasons for instituting it. Likewise, there are many guidelines for an ideal marriage. These reasons and guidelines have to be known and followed to the letter if one wants to maintain the ideal marriage as it was originally in the mind of God. It is unfortunate, however, that people now create different reasons and guidelines for marriage. No wonder, many marriages are in shambles, and cases of divorce and remarriage are common, especially in the western world, even among Christians!

This write-up is not a comprehensive treatise on an ideal marriage, nevertheless, it aims at pointing out a pivotal issue that most people do not take note of, and this is ruining many marriages today. This has to do with “leaving and cleaving” in marriage. The Bible says that a man will leave his parents (and by inference all other relations) and cleave to (or preferably unite with) his wife. He puts aside his former relationships and way of living and thinking, and starts a new relationship, and a new way of living and thinking with his wife who is now one with him. It has to be emphasized here that to cleave in this context means to be glued together for life. That is, the man and his wife are together “for better for worse” for life! Most people nowadays do not want to hear that expression. However, the more we are ready to understand this and accept it, the better our marriages in particular and the society in general will be. The man and his wife cleave together, they become one, and they are not ashamed in spite of their “nakedness.” Have you ever wondered about the nature of this “nakedness”?

My first and only marriage with my darling wife was ten years old some days ago! This is not a big deal to many people in this part of the world where the institution of marriage is still held in high esteem. However, it is a great feat or rather something unimaginable to many people in the western world. I have been cleaved to my wife for the past ten years, and both of us were, and still are, not ashamed of each other because we have determined to live for life for better for worse. Ours is not a perfect marriage. There is never one! We have determined to enjoy life together, and to endure it together.

Are you married? Let there be no shame in your marriage. Be determined to cleave to your spouse for life. Are you still single? Pray that the Lord will help you to be able to have an ideal marriage as He originally planned it. Is your marriage in crisis? Go back to the original plan of God for marriage. Ask Him for help. He will help you if you allow Him.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).

NB
1. This message is dedicated to my dearest wife, Opeyemi, for sharing her life “for better for worse” with me for these past ten years.
2. I know that this message will generate many reactions. Send your reaction to me. God bless you!

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