Priorities in Marriage

 N. T. #225 “Priorities in Marriage”

Jan. 17, 2024

Matthew 19-Part 2

LET IT GLOW 

Hats off to those of you living in the northern parts of our nation. It has been a rough week for us. With below zero temperatures for 2 nights and single digits during the day, topped off with snow, we southerners are not managing well. And to beat all, my central heater froze up and blew only cold air yesterday. Living in 58*-62* in the house is not my my cup of tea. And we worked hard to prevent the farmhouse water from freezing up. Should have camped out there. Anyway, that has been my challenge of the week. (My guys put a heat lamp in the attic to help thaw out the problem.) Hopefully, it will work today. Praying ya’ll are staying well and warm. 

Matthew recorded a conversation with the Pharisees and Jesus again  They were testing His wisdom on the controversial topic of divorce.  And it continues today, right?

Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? (verse 3) It is found in Genesis 1:27.

First, Jesus went back to the beginning, literally. Have you not read that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female? (Verse 4) It is found in Genesis 1:27.

Those verse shoots down today’s excuses for being homosexual. 

Second, when marriage is involved, the man is to leave his parents’ authority and cleave to his wife , becoming one flesh. (verse 3) Genesis2:24 is His reference  

Cleave means to glue to; adhere; join self, in the N.T.

In the O.T., it means cling; adhere; be joined together; pursue hard; follow close.

The couple is to be faithful sexually and always considering their spouse top dog, so to speak  God is first, spouse second, children third. This is the order of our life together which God has established. When others and things get substituted, then there are problems. Are we making our spouse a priority?

LET IT GROW 

Thirdly, what therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder. (verse 6)

Asunder means to be in (give) space; enter; to hold; admit; receive.

No other person is to be given first place, talking about people, not God because He is always number one. We have to be careful to not let another take our thoughts more than our spouse. We are not to hold another in our heart and love them more than our spouse. That includes our own self.

 Is there anything or anyone more important in our life than our spouse? If so, then we are sinning. Especially watch out that children or parents do not interfere in our marriage. Be careful that a coworker does not get more time with us than our spouse. Make sure sports or hobbies have their appropriate place in our life. 

It is always good to take a priority check.

LLET IT GO

Help us place people in the right order that you have established.