There are many individuals who are confused about the institution of marriage, just as I was at a time in my life. I was religious and void of understanding concerning God's Constitution (the Bible). In the eyes of many people the institution of marriage has become irrelevant. Some consider it an ancient archaic relic in these modern times. There is a question lingering, whether marriage is still a good idea, particularly in today's "liberated" and "enlightened" culture. Allow me to clear this question up. Marriage is God's idea.
Concepts such as honor, trust, faithfulness and commitment seem old fashioned and out of touch with this modern society. Many individuals change partners as easily as I change shoes and socks. It is really sad and unhealthy to see men and women go from relationship to relationship, seeking that "oneness" that comes from a covenant marriage, but only experiencing a cheap temporary fragile imitation.
This confusion over marriage really shouldn't surprise us, considering how the media portrays sex. Men with men and women with women. There is a barrage of worldly attitudes and philosophies that hit us at every turn. Every day there are books, magazines, movies and television programs bombarding us with images of wives cheating on their husbands and husbands cheating on their wives. They even create movies with underage children assuming adult behavior, kissing and having sex. Then the question arises, why are we having so many babies out of wedlock and so many teens having abortions? Lust and perversion are rampant. This is the culture of the United States, where unmarried men and women hop into bed with each other at a drop of a hat and may not even know their names. Then just as quickly they move on to the next partner. For men it is a conquest, but for the women, they take the role of a door knob, with everyone getting a turn.
Individuals today shop for relationships the way they shop for clothes. There are so many dating services to choose from. Even those sites which call themselves "Christian" sites. Remember this, lust isn't love, and love isn't a feeling, it's a choice. Love isn't chemistry or how you feel about an individual. Some say, well, it just feels right. Well, if someone were to slap you, how would you feel then? Read what the King states concerning love:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Keep in mind, Jesus didn't say love if you feel like it.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Luke 6:27-36 I Corinthians 13:4-8
~~W.R. Luchie
Concepts such as honor, trust, faithfulness and commitment seem old fashioned and out of touch with this modern society. Many individuals change partners as easily as I change shoes and socks. It is really sad and unhealthy to see men and women go from relationship to relationship, seeking that "oneness" that comes from a covenant marriage, but only experiencing a cheap temporary fragile imitation.
This confusion over marriage really shouldn't surprise us, considering how the media portrays sex. Men with men and women with women. There is a barrage of worldly attitudes and philosophies that hit us at every turn. Every day there are books, magazines, movies and television programs bombarding us with images of wives cheating on their husbands and husbands cheating on their wives. They even create movies with underage children assuming adult behavior, kissing and having sex. Then the question arises, why are we having so many babies out of wedlock and so many teens having abortions? Lust and perversion are rampant. This is the culture of the United States, where unmarried men and women hop into bed with each other at a drop of a hat and may not even know their names. Then just as quickly they move on to the next partner. For men it is a conquest, but for the women, they take the role of a door knob, with everyone getting a turn.
Individuals today shop for relationships the way they shop for clothes. There are so many dating services to choose from. Even those sites which call themselves "Christian" sites. Remember this, lust isn't love, and love isn't a feeling, it's a choice. Love isn't chemistry or how you feel about an individual. Some say, well, it just feels right. Well, if someone were to slap you, how would you feel then? Read what the King states concerning love:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
Keep in mind, Jesus didn't say love if you feel like it.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Luke 6:27-36 I Corinthians 13:4-8
~~W.R. Luchie
