A Romantic Marriage (3)by Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Week 3, September, 2008

A Romantic Marriage (3)

Dear Reader,

God pronounces each couple ‘one’ on their wedding day. But there is still the need to grow into it every day of their married lives. Married life serves as a constant opportunity for each couple to live out what deep down they know they should be doing. As a married couple lives together, they will have many opportunities to eliminate those seams and become one. Married life is an opportunity to grow in intimacy. In this teaching, I will be showing you how to cultivate deeper intimacy in your marriage.

Sexual relationship is an expression of the intimate relationship between a husband and his wife. The sex drive is a powerful force. Because of that, God designed marriage as the place where that drive is fulfilled (Hebrews 13:4). 1 Corinthians 7:2 and 9 tell us that the desire for sexual fulfillment is one good reason to get married. Granted, more ought to be involved, but the sexual attractiveness will be there, and the sexual relationship should be enjoyed unreservedly (Proverbs 5:15-19). A husband and wife are to recognize that they have a duty of providing sexual satisfaction to their mate (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).

God created mankind as sexual beings and His plan is that men and women should unite in marriage to create families and thereby propagate the human race. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:27–28).

The sexual nature of mankind is fundamental to God’s creation plan. Sexuality is at the centre of the human condition as created in the image of God. Jesus quoted from the first chapter of Genesis to emphasize this ultimate truth. He said that at the beginning of creation ‘God made them male and female’ (Mark 10:6). Thus, in the original purpose of God, humanity is complete in man and woman. The human race is divided into two sexes and both are required for procreation. Neither male nor female is complete on their own; they need each other. The first command that God gave to mankind, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth... (Genesis 1:28). This can only be fulfilled by men and women joining together in sexual intercourse. For this reason, God has placed within human nature a strong sexual attraction between men and women.

Human beings are endowed with sexual desires that make it natural for them to be attracted to the opposite sex and to enter a sexual relationship. But we are not free to go about our sexual appetites as we wish, for God has given us moral laws to control our sexual behaviour. These moral laws are not only right, they are also for our good. Implicit within divine law is the idea that sexual intercourse should take place within the marriage union.

The God-given mandate to be fruitful and increase in number, is to be fulfilled in marriage. So we see that human sexuality, finds its meaning in the procreation of the race, and marriage, are central to God’s plan for men and women.

You need the grace of God to make your marriage work. This comes by surrendering your life to Christ. You surrender by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are ready for this, please say this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan, to serve the Living God. From today, I accept You are my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I know I am born again.

If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God's Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through:

E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8;

For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Book Stores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian book stores.

 Marriage Covenant

 Making Marriage Work,

 Building a Successful Family

 Single With A Difference

 Success in Marriage (Co-Authored with Bishop David Oyedepo).