FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER: SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE: WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY? (THE MAN OR THE WOMAN)

TOPIC:

SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE: Whose Responsibility? (The man or the woman)   

Marriage is a lawful relationship between a man and a woman as husband and wife. It is a life-time contract which both parties involved need to play their individual role to keep the relationship on as unto God. If a partner in marriage is the only one saddled with responsibility to make the marriage work, the other partner may be irresponsible. God is not calling irresponsible people into marriage, but responsible ones to keep the marriage vows thereby serving as examples to the heathen and giving glory to the Lord. The roles of the man and woman are clearly defined in the scriptures.                          

The role of the man             

1.  Love for his wives (Ephesians 5:25; Col. 3:19; Ephesians 5:33a)                   

2. Leadership role (1 Tim. 3:12, 1 Tim. 3:4-5)        

3. Provide for his own household (1 Tim. 5:8)    

4. Must leave and cleave (Genesis 2:24; Eph. 5:31; 1 Tim 3:2; Deuteronomy 24:5)           

5. Live with her in knowledge of God ( 1 Peter 3:7; James 1:5)      

The Role of the Woman      

1. Submission (1 Peter. 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:11-14)  

2. Respect the husband (Ephesians 5:33b)      

3. Help mate: A wife's role is to be her husband's helper (Genesis 2:18, Proverbs 31:11)     

4. Care for the home: responsible to take care of the children and the home (Titus 2:5,6)   

5. Glory of the husband (1Corinthians 11:7-12.)      

6. Examples to the young ones (Titus 2:4,5)             

Converging Role of both Man and Woman   

1. Love : 1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Proverbs 31:11-12  

2. Trust: this is foundation in holding a marriage together 

3. Faithfulness: you are required to be faithful stewards. 1 Cor. 4:1-2     

4. Submit to each other's body: 1 Corinthians 7:5                 

5. Oneness: 1 Corinthians 11: 8,9    

6. Keeping a sexual partner: Romans 12:1   

7. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence; and likewise also the wife unto the husband: 1 Corinthians 7:3-9     

CONCLUSION: The journey to a successful marriage depends on knowing the author of marriage (GOD) by the parties involved (man and woman). God gave us the scripture as a manual for life. It is full of hope and wisdom that we can lean on to help us build a successful marriage.  The bible has clearly defined the roles of both parties in marriage. Building a Christian home and keeping it strong requires work.  The husband needs to fulfill his duties to the wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.