Discovering Greater Intimacy In Your Marriage
Take A Peak Inside… Is Your Marriage Really Made in Heaven?
I know the title of the book got your attention. For the truth is God has an XXX rated marriage relationship designed for you and your spouse and it’s up to you to reach out and take it. But being in a great married relationship is so much more than just having great XXX rated sex, even though it is a big part of making it into a marriage made in heaven. If you doubt that God wants you to have an XXX rated marriage just keep reading this book and you’ll see that the book of Song of Songs is a very erotic detailed description of how God has planned for your marriage bed to be like.
And believe me God leaves out no descriptive language when it comes to making love with your mate. But besides all that I want you to think for a moment have you ever found yourself standing at a crossroads, grappling with questions that seem to echo through the ages? “Is my marriage truly made in heaven?” It’s a profound question, one that stirs up both hope and uncertainty. As we navigate the complexities of modern relationships, we find ourselves in a pivotal moment in history. Long-held beliefs about marriage and family are undergoing scrutiny, and it’s essential to confront these changes head-on.
A World in Flux
Consider this: just a few years ago, the idea of same-sex marriage being legalized in the U.S. was almost unthinkable. Now it’s a reality, reshaping the landscape of our understanding of love and commitment. But this rapid evolution isn’t merely about legal changes; it reflects a deeper cultural shift that’s challenging the very foundations of how we view biblical marriage. As Christians, we can’t afford to turn a blind eye to these developments. Ignoring them won’t make them disappear. If we don’t respond with a biblical perspective now, we risk being swept away by the tide of societal change, inadvertently accepting ideas that contradict our faith.
What Do We Hope to Accomplish?
This book aims to provide hungry couples with a roadmap to greater intimacy in their marriages, rooted in God’s Word. We want to explore what Scripture says about marriage, family, same-sex unions, and moral integrity. To find truth in this ever-evolving landscape, we must ask the right questions, starting with the most fundamental:
“What does God say about marriage?”
Marriage is a Divine Institution: Created by God himself, it is not merely a social contract but a sacred covenant. God himself performed the first marriage ceremony when he brought Eve and presented her to Adam in the Garden of Eden.
It’s the Foundation of Society: Marriage is the bedrock of family life and civilization itself.
God’s Definition Matters: Our understanding of marriage must be shaped by God’s design, not cultural trends.
A Blueprint for Flourishing: Our marriages won’t thrive unless we adhere to the divine blueprint as outlined in Scripture.
As we embark on this journey together, I encourage you to approach this book with an open heart and mind. Take notes, jot down questions to discuss with your spouse, and, most importantly, measure everything against the authority of Scripture. My words are not infallible; only God’s Word holds that weight.
The Question of Divine Design
Let’s dive deeper into the chapter’s title: “Is Your Marriage Really Made in Heaven?” The answer hinges on how we perceive marriage. While the institution of marriage is indeed a divine creation, not every marriage reflects that heavenly design. Some unions may not align with God’s purpose, and it’s crucial to discern the difference.
To frame our discussion, consider these powerful scriptural truths:
Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
Proverbs 18:22: “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.”
These verses offer a beautiful perspective on marriage’s sanctity and significance. It’s a gift to be honored, yet many couples today struggle to uphold that honor amidst societal pressures.
Marriage for God’s Glory
Before we delve further, it’s essential to clarify for you that this chapter isn’t a step-by-step guide to how to have a happy marriage. Instead, it’s about understanding what the true divine purpose is behind marriage itself. So, first let’s establish some foundational truths:
Marriage is of Supreme Importance: It is the first institution ever created and it was ordained by God Himself.
A Cornerstone of Civilization: Marriage serves as the very foundation for family life and societal stability.
God’s Definition Prevails: Our understanding of marriage must always align with God’s design, not cultural norms.
Following the Divine Blueprint Produces Results: Marriage’s flourish when built upon the principles laid out in Scripture.
Here’s a revealing thought that might surprise you: marriage is a primary means by which God reveals His glory to the world. The essence of this idea lies in the word “glory,” which encapsulates God’s greatness, character, and reputation. Your marriage is not solely about you, your spouse, or your children; it’s ultimately about God.
Until we grasp this fundamental concept, we struggle to develop a biblical understanding of marriage. In the face of societal debates, we must ask: “Where can God be glorified in this marriage?” Focusing on personal desires or feelings won’t lead us to truth. Instead, we should prioritize how to actually structure our lives and relationships to bring God the greatest honor and glory.
The Crisis of Marriage in Today’s Culture
As I said at the outset marriage is under attack for many of today’s young people have seen so much divorce, they doubt that a lifelong marriage union is even possible—or even desirable for that matter.
The current debate over same-sex marriage is not the problem. It is only a symptom of a much deeper pathology in our American culture. And it is not new for that matter.
Just read the bible, and check out the Old Testament. Read the book of Deuteronomy. Read the history of ancient Greece and Rome. The things that shock us today are not so new after all. This rampant homosexual sin has been around a long time. It’s just our television shows and media has now made it acceptable, and even seem normal.
It is not normal but instead is still a vile sin in God’s eyes just like adultery and fornication and for sure sadly those who participate in it will be punished in the end of days. The problem today is that Christians have been sleeping while the world has changed around them. Although we like to think of America as a “Christian nation,” in many ways we have adopted wholly pagan values. We treat holy things as lowly, and lowly things as holy. It’s no wonder there is such enormous confusion about marriage and the family today in our young people. The world has no idea what to think about sex. On one hand, the world corrupts it into the most degrading form possible. On the other hand, the world elevates sex and begins to worship it as the highest expression of human experience. Both extremes are equally wrong in God’s eyes.
While our media may portray these changes as progressive, they often mask a troubling reality: As I said, Christians have largely been passive while the world around us has shifted. Despite the chaos, marriage endures because it fulfills a fundamental human need for companionship. Deep within our spiritual DNA, a longing for connection with a spouse echoes the truth found in Genesis 2:18: “It is not good for man to be alone.” Most people will marry at some point in their lives, and many have an innate desire to find a lifelong partner. This universal yearning proves that we were designed for marriage.
Insights from Genesis
With this backdrop, let’s turn to Genesis 2, the foundational passage about marriage. It provides some pretty profound insights into God’s design and involvement in the first marriage. Here are six key points to consider:
God’s Initiative (Genesis 2:18a): It’s God who recognizes Adam’s loneliness. He declares, “It is not good for a man to be alone.” Adam, having never experienced companionship, might not have realized his need. God takes the initiative to meet that need, reminding us that He sees us even before we recognize our own emptiness.
Meeting Adam’s Need (Genesis 2:18b): God promises to create a helper suitable for Adam. This helper, Eve, is designed to complement him, showcasing the beauty of partnership in marriage.
Understanding Loneliness (Genesis 2:19-20): Before creating Eve, God has Adam name the animals. This act serves a dual purpose: teaching Adam leadership and revealing to him his own incompleteness. As he observes pairs of animals, he recognizes the absence of a counterpart for himself, fostering a longing for a partner.
The Divine Introduction (Genesis 2:21-22): God orchestrates Eve’s creation by putting Adam into a deep sleep and crafting her from his side, symbolizing unity and partnership. This divine act reinforces the idea that God is intimately involved in our relationships.
Recognition of Equality and Difference (Genesis 2:23): Adam’s immediate response to Eve captures the essence of their relationship. He recognizes her as both similar and different, a partner designed to complete him. He was the first to call her a woman, which simply means a man with a womb. He noticed that her bits were quite a bit different from him right at the outset.
God’s Intent for Marriage (Genesis 2:24-25): These verses clearly outline the four essential components of a strong Christian marriage: leaving, cleaving, intimacy, and transparency. This blueprint establishes the foundation for a fulfilling, God-honoring relationship.
Your Marriage is all About God!
Until we grasp this main thought, we will never have a proper foundation for thinking Christianly about marriage. In the great debates convulsing our society, we must ask, “Where is God glorified in all this?” It is never enough to say, “This is what I want.” Or “This is how I feel so it must be right.” We must rather ask, “How can we order our lives and all our relationships to bring the greatest honor and glory to God?
Just One Man, And One Woman
As we said in a marriage relationship there is true equality and true difference at the same time. A woman is not less than man, nor is man greater than woman. But the man is not the woman, and the woman is not the man. Both are made in the image of God, yet they are very different from each other. This is the reason that our culture is so hellbent on teaching little boys that they can be girls and vice versa. Teaching them that this is normal behavior. It is not my friend. God does not make mistakes. The propagators of this teaching are bent on destroying the very foundation of human make up. Male and female is all there really is. There are not 100 genders no matter what they try to tell you.
Also, two women cannot do this. And neither can two men do this. Only a man and a woman can make a marriage as God intended. Eve was the answer to Adam’s loneliness. The answer was not another man or a group of men. No man was ever meant to find his deepest satisfaction in his golfing or hunting and fishing buddies or the guys at work. As a matter of fact, no man was ever meant to find it in women in general or in one woman after another.
The answer to the loneliness every man feels is one woman—given to him by God—with whom he can spend the rest of his days on this earth with. All of this is by God’s design and for his glory. The difference between man and woman is God’s glory. The sharing in God’s image is God’s glory. The completing of each other is God’s glory. The satisfaction of the woman in the man is God’s glory. The satisfaction of the man in the woman is God’s glory. The rejoicing of the church in Christian marriage is God’s glory. Making love as husband and wife is God’s glory. Celebrating your 50th anniversary is God’s glory.
Staying married for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times, never giving up, never walking out, but always being there for each other, this too is God’s glory. These are not small things my friend. These are huge issues. And God is involved in all of them. That is why I pray this book will help you build your marriage into a great marriage as the title suggests. Marriage is a challenge in the best of circumstances but it can also be a great blessing. In a society like ours, where healthy marriages are the exception and not the rule, if we can build marriages that move against the prevailing tide, we will have a fantastic base from which to share the message of Jesus Christ with our friends and neighbors. Nowhere will the difference between Christianity and modern secularism be more clearly seen than in a truly Christian marriage. I hope these chapters of this book will aid you in going against the tide and having the joyful marriage that you desire. So, hold on and get ready for some great information that you can use. Just read on my friend.
The Divine Design of Differentiation
In every healthy marriage, true equality exists alongside distinct differences. Men and women are equal in value but uniquely designed by God. The narrative of creation reminds us that gender distinctions are intentional. The push to blur these lines in contemporary culture threatens to undermine the very essence of God’s design.
Marriage between one man and one woman reflects God’s glory. Eve was created to fulfill Adam’s need for companionship, and it is through this divine pairing that we find fulfillment and purpose. The idea that fulfillment can be found in same-sex relationships or through multiple partners goes against God’s original intent.
A Call to Embrace God’s Design
As we explore the intricacies of marriage, we must remember that it is ultimately about glorifying God. Celebrating love, perseverance, and commitment in marriage reflects God’s character to the world. It is in the mundane moments of life—staying married through thick and thin, supporting one another in struggles, and celebrating joys—that we showcase divine love.
In even in a society where healthy marriages are increasingly rare, building a marriage that stands against the cultural tide is a powerful testament to the transformative power of Christ. This book aims to equip you with the tools and insights to navigate the challenges of marriage, enabling you to create a relationship that not only honors God but also brings joy and fulfillment to your life.
Final Thoughts
As we embark on this journey together, prepare for a wealth of information that can reshape your understanding of marriage. The path to a joyful, God-honoring marriage isn’t always easy, but the rewards are immeasurable. Join me as we delve deeper into God’s blueprint for marriage, exploring practical steps and timeless truths that can help you build a lasting relationship. Your story of love and commitment is not just a personal journey; it’s a reflection of God’s glory in the world.
So, let’s dive in and discover what it truly means to have a marriage made in heaven!