THE BELIEVER’S MARRIAGE IN THE GRACE: IT’S A BLESSED MARRIAGE!
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise BLESSING; knowing that ye are thereunto CALLED, that ye should INHERIT a BLESSING” 1 Peter 3:9.
The Scripture declares that he that finds a wife finds a BLESSED [good, precious, gracious, lovely, admirable etc] thing and is qualified to obtain FAVOUR [BLESSEDNESS] from the Lord. Proverbs 18:22
What an incredible scriptural endowment and enduement upon the believing marriage couple in the grace.
And it is simply because they are purposefully CALLED into marriage to INHERIT a BLESSING, as 1 Peter 3:9 enjoins.
That is why every believing couple in the grace should raise their heads up, shoulders high, and stand on the highest heels of faith, because THE BELIEVERS’ MARRIAGE is BLESSED in the grace. They are purposefully called into it as being joined in one flesh, just as being joined unto the Lord as in one spirit.
[1 Corinthians 6:17, Ephesians 5:31, 1 Corinthians 1:9, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11-12]
This knowing and understanding is to cause you to speak forth daily and continuously healthy and gracious words to your relationship, just as Jesus spoke forth concerning His purpose, His people, and the things about Him while in humanity. Luke 4:22
You cannot be speaking cursed words, swear words, and words of regret to your spouse in the grace and expect the blessedness of God to materialise, actualise and be fruitful at the same time in the grace.
You must be intentional and pragmatic to speak forth healthy and gracious words of faith, hope and love to your spouse to keep the blessedness. Then, over time and time and time, you will see the relationship blossom, refresh, rejuvenate, rekindle, synergise, and become flavoured, and such like.
Your words concerning what God has favoured you with in His BLESSEDNESS are gracious and they enhance your placement in THE BELIEVERS’ MARRIAGE in the grace.
“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 22 Whoso findeth a WIFE findeth a Good Thing, and OBTAINETH FAVOUR of the Lord” Proverbs 18:20-22.
“And all bare Him [Jesus Christ] witness, and wondered at the GRACIOUS WORDS which PROCEEDED out of his MOUTH. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:22.
“A GOOD MAN out of the GOOD TREASURE of his HEART bringeth forth that which is GOOD; and an EVIL MAN out of the EVIL TREASURE of his HEART bringeth forth that which is EVIL: for of the ABUNDANCE of the HEART his MOUTH speaketh” Luke 66:45 [Matthew 12:33-35].
THE BELIEVERS’ MARRIAGE in Christ Jesus is BLESSED in the grace, irrespective.
That is the divine default set from the beginning of marriage creation by Father God.
And it is irrespective of how you feel about it, think about it, believe in it, or live in it, and any other context you may hold toward it.
And it is not cursed, or a cursed thing, or anything as such as unnecessary evil, as some may think or perhaps have attributed in their world and context.
I just want you to know, without a shadow of doubt, that the Creator God who made marriage is able to keep it and sustain it through all phases in the grace, if we let Him be in charge according to His purpose and design in the Holy Writ.
For in marriage creation, God BLESSED them [Adam and Eve] when He set the marriage purpose in place.
It is only what and how people do with the blessedness of God in the grace in Christ Jesus that can make it be a desired blessing, as in the scriptural default.
Otherwise, it can become to them by an alternative context, as may seem to them as if it is a cursed thing or attributed unnecessary evil, because of ignorance of the Scriptures.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do ERR [MISTAKENLY, ERRONEOUSLY], not KNOWING the scriptures, nor the POWER of God” Matthew 22:29/Emphasis mine
Indeed, in scriptural context as of God, the Believers’ marriage in the grace is BLESSED. God have Blessed marriage by every measure and there’s no controversy for the believing one in the grace that lets God’s purpose and essence to be their DE FACTO in the marital journey.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; MALE and FEMALE created He THEM. 28 And God BLESSED them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and Subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” Genesis 1:26-28.
In God’s BLESSEDNESS, to be [being] BLESSED is to be EMPOWERED to succeed, to achieve, to become and to prosper in the grace.
For THE BLESSING of God enriches [makes rich] and He adds no sorrow, regret or setbacks to it. Proverbs 10:22
And the blessing of God is not physical per se, so that anyone can tamper with its nature, or adulterate it, or pervert it, or fake it, or camouflage it, or distort it, even though the devil and his cohorts have tried severally.
That does not mean the devil and his cohorts have not tried severally to undermine the integrity of the Believers’ marriage in the grace, thereby ensuring that the BLESSEDNESS of God is shunted and disbelieved.
Unfortunately for them, because THE BLESSING of God is authentic, it has stood the test of time, enriching all who hold it dearly, as promised.
“The BLESSING of the Lord, it MAKETH RICH, and he ADDETH NO SORROW with it” Proverbs 10:22.
The blessedness of the believing one is located and stored in heaven to avoid thieves and robbers.
It is there, where Christ Jesus is seated at the right hand of Father God, and by grace we are seated therein at His right hand, in the right hand of Father God.
And as such, no thief and robbers can break in to devour the blessed treasure that the believing one in Christ Jesus is endowed and endued with in the grace, as a possession in redemption.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED us with all SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ . . . 20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the HEAVENLY PLACES” Ephesians 1:3, 20.
“And hath RAISED us up together, and MADE us SIT together in HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus” Ephesians 2:6.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves TREASURES in HEAVEN, where neither MOTH nor RUST doth corrupt, and where THIEVES do not break through nor steal: 21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matthew 6:19-21.
The believing ones, the seed of Abraham by faith, are blessed in the grace. Galatians 3:7-9, 14
And THE BLESSING of God is empowered by the Holy Spirit given to us in the grace, to empower and actualise in redemption everything that pertains to doing life and living godly * in Christ Jesus’ stead.
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which ARE of FAITH, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would JUSTIFY the heathen through faith, preached before the GOSPEL unto Abraham, saying, IN THEE SHALL ALL NATIONS BE BLESSED. 9 So then they which be of FAITH are BLESSED with faithful Abraham . . . 13 Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse of the law, being MADE a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 that THE BLESSING of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith Galatians” 3:6-9, 13-14.
“Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was GIVEN to us” Romans 5:5/Amplified. And THE BLESSING of God for the believing seed of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus is beyond walls.
For it is firstly in the realm of the spirit of grace for our earthly utilisation.
And as such there is no colour, no gender, no tribe, no tongue, and no such like limitations to any, on the BLESSEDNESS of God as to the Believers’ marriage and in every aspect of doing life and living godly in Christ Jesus’ stead.
For redemption is for all and it cuts across — kindred, tongue and nations — as it enriches all that believe of God’s salvation and BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus’ stead. Revelation 5:9, Galatians 3:28-29
Amen.
So, do not think that your marriage is not blessed at all because of any geography, tongue, gender, colour, location, or such like.
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is NEITHER Jew nor Greek, there is NEITHER bond nor free, there is NEITHER male nor female: for ye are ALL one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ’s, then ARE ye Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS according to the PROMISE. Galatians 3:26-29.
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast REDEEMED us to God by thy blood out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION; 10 and hast MADE us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall REIGN on the earth” Revelation 5:9-10.
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and WASHED us from our sins in his own blood, 6 and hath MADE us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” Revelation 1:5-6.
The assurance of God’s BLESSEDNESS in the grace is found by:
— marrying the believing person you love . . .
— and loving the believing person you married .
For that is what gives the believing one the synergy that keeps the relationship thriving and flourishing, refreshing and blossoming, rekindling and rejuvenating in the grace.
For it is as the love light keeps glowing in life and grace, in Christ Jesus’ stead.
The Believers’ marriage is BLESSED in the grace. You need to believe the God’s Scriptural context rather than your feelings, or what you see, or what you are experiencing, and such like.
It is because accessing the blessedness of the Believers’ marriage in the grace is by firstly acknowledging the measure of grace, and the measure of grace that is attributed to your relationship in the grace, to be of blessing and not a curse.
“For I say, through the GRACE given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man THE MEASURE of faith” Romans 12:3.
“But unto EVERY ONE of us is GIVEN GRACE according to THE MEASURE of the GIFT of Christ” Ephesians 4:7.
The blessedness of the Believers’ marriage in the grace is not only in believing, but in communicating [speaking it forth in the grace, for out of the abundance of the heart one believes, the mouth speaks forth in the grace in faith]. Matthew 12:34, Romans 10:10
Because our warfare and battle is of faith.
The devil and his cohorts are working 24/7 trying to engage with us on our faith journey.
For the enemy knows that if one can deny the faith, then he can achieve and accomplish his purpose.
“That the communication of thy FAITH may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus” Philemon 1:6.
Like everything under the sun and in the world that God has made, there will be challenging times and difficulties in marriages at various phases of progression in marriage.
There will be times of serious indifference, doubt and disputing in the relationship — but it is the couple’s responsibility to see all as ISSUES and not PERSONS.
So that they can together deal with the issues as they see them, instead of attacking each other’s person, thereby distorting the default marital blessing in the grace.
The enemy and his cohorts we know, the world system and its challenges we see, the flesh [pride of life, lust of the eyes, desires of the flesh] within us, and religion [religiosity we display, denominational doctrines we hold to, sectarianism and dogmas] that we do, all rise up against our faith in the marital grace.
It is important that we must be intentional to choose our battle, for we are only allowed to fight the good fight of faith and good warfare at all times. 1 Timothy 1:18, 6:12
And when we have this understanding, we can then ensure our blessedness in the grace.
So, do not get discouraged by any means or by any form of limitation at the moment, because relationship, like revelation, is progressive as we stay on track within the context of faith in the grace.
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” 1 Timothy 6:12.
“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest WAR A GOOD WARFARE; 19 holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 of whom is Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” 1 Timothy 1:18-20.
Therefore, I COMMEND you to God and to the word of His Grace that will build you up and give you an INHERITANCE in the grace, to take a stand in the grace, and start a new you in an onward and upward trajectory, assured as you ensure that you as a believer, that your believer marriage is favoured and blessed and irrespective of the sentiments, prejudice and dissimulation about you now or tomorrow.
I pray you into God’s enabling grace to enjoy your marital BLESSEDNESS in the grace in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; he will be satisfied with the consequence of his words. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. 22 He who finds a [true and faithful] wife FINDS a good thing and obtains FAVOR and APPROVAL from the Lord” Proverbs 18:20-22/Amplified.
“. . . 7 In the same way, you husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way [with great gentleness and tact, and with an intelligent regard for the MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP], as with someone physically weaker, since she is a woman. Show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your PRAYERS WILL NOT BE HINDERED or INEFFECTIVE. 8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; 9 and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been CALLED for this very purpose, that you might INHERIT a BLESSING [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]. 10 For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not], must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit). 11 “He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it]. 12 “For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), and His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), but the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil” 1 Peter 3:1-12/Amplified.
“Being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house]. 25 Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God], 27 so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless. 28 Even so husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members (parts) of His body. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined [and be faithfully devoted] to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery [of two becoming one] is great; but I am speaking with reference to [the relationship of] Christ and the church. 33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear]” Ephesians 5:21-33/Amplified.
SUMMARY:
This message teaches us that THE BELIEVERS’ MARRIAGE IS BLESSED IN THE GRACE — by divine default, by divine design, and by divine empowerment.
KEY POINTS
- GOD’S ORIGINAL INTENT: BLESSED FROM THE BEGINNINGGenesis 1:26-28 — “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; MALE and FEMALE created He THEM. And God BLESSED them…”
In God’s BLESSEDNESS, to be blessed is to be EMPOWERED to succeed, to achieve, to become and to prosper in the grace.
Proverbs 10:22 — “The BLESSING of the Lord, it MAKETH RICH, and he ADDETH NO SORROW with it.”
This blessing is not physical per se. It cannot be tampered with, adulterated, faked, or distorted. Though the devil and his cohorts have tried severally to undermine the integrity of the Believers’ marriage in the grace, THE BLESSING of God is authentic and has stood the test of time, enriching all who hold it dearly. - OURBLESSEDNESS IS SECUREDIN HEAVENLY PLACES
Ephesians 1:3, 20 — “who hath BLESSED us with all SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS in HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ…”
Ephesians 2:6 — “And hath RAISED us up together, and MADE us SIT together in HEAVENLY PLACES in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 6:19-21 — Our treasure is laid up in heaven where moth, rust and thieves cannot corrupt.
Because we are seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father, no thief or robber can devour the blessed treasure we are endowed with in redemption.
- IT IS UNIVERSAL AND FOR THE SEED OF ABRAHAM BY FAITH
Galatians 3:7-9, 14— “they which be of FAITH are BLESSED with faithful Abraham… that THE BLESSING of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.”
Galatians 3:28-29 — “There is NEITHER male nor female: for ye are ALL one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then ARE ye Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS according to the PROMISE.”
Revelation 5:9-10 — Redeemed “out of EVERY KINDRED, and TONGUE, and PEOPLE, and NATION.”
So, do not think your marriage is not blessed because of geography, tongue, gender, colour, or location. THE BLESSING of God for the believing seed of Abraham is beyond walls. It cuts across kindred, tongue and nations. Revelation 1:5-6 — He has made us kings and priests unto God.
- HOW WE ACCESS AND KEEP THEBLESSEDNESS
A. BELIEVE SCRIPTURE OVER FEELINGS
Accessing the blessedness begins by acknowledging the measure of grace attributed to your relationship — it is blessing, not a curse. Romans 12:3, Ephesians 4:7 - SPEAK IT FORTHINFAITH
The blessedness is not only in believing, but in communicating.
Proverbs 18:20-22/Amplified — “Death and life are in the power of the tongue… He who finds a wife FINDS a good thing and obtains FAVOR and APPROVAL from the Lord.”
Matthew 12:34, Romans 10:10, Luke 4:22, Luke 6:45 — Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Like Jesus, we must speak gracious words concerning our marriage. You cannot speak curses, swear words, and words of regret and expect blessedness to materialise. - SEE ISSUES, NOT PERSONS
1 Peter 3:8-9— “never return evil for evil or insult for insult… but on the contrary, give a blessing; for you have been CALLED for this very purpose, that you might INHERIT a BLESSING.”
There will be challenging times, indifference, doubt and disputing. But it is the couple’s responsibility to deal with ISSUES together, not attack each other’s person, thereby distorting the default marital blessing. - FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH
Our warfare is of faith.1 Timothy 1:18, 6:12 — “WAR A GOOD WARFARE; holding faith, and a good conscience.”
The enemy, the world system, the flesh [pride of life, lust of the eyes], and religion [denominational doctrines, sectarianism] all rise against our faith in marital grace. The enemy knows if he can make us deny the faith, he can accomplish his purpose. Philemon 1:6 — “the communication of thy FAITH may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”
- THE FOUNDATION: LOVE, HONOUR AND SYNERGY
The assurance of God’sBLESSEDNESS is found by:
— marrying the believing person you love
— and loving the believing person you married
That gives the synergy that keeps the relationship thriving and flourishing, refreshing and blossoming, rekindling and rejuvenating in the grace.
Ephesians 5:21-33/Amplified — Husbands love sacrificially as Christ loved the church. Wives respect and honour. “each man… is to love his wife as his very own self… and the wife respect and delight in her husband.”
1 Peter 3:7 — Show honour so that “your PRAYERS WILL NOT BE HINDERED.”
- DO NOTBEDISCOURAGED
Relationship, like revelation, is progressive as we stay on track in faith and grace. God who made marriage is able to keep and sustain it through all phases if we let Him be in charge according to His Word.
Matthew 22:29 — Error comes from “not KNOWING the scriptures, nor the POWER of God.”
It is only ignorance that makes marriage seem cursed. By Scriptural context, THE BELIEVERS’ MARRIAGE IN THE GRACE IS BLESSED.
FINAL COMMENDATION
Acts 20:32 — “I COMMEND you to God and to the word of His Grace that will build you up and give you an INHERITANCE in the grace.”
Take a stand. Start anew in an onward and upward trajectory. Your believer marriage is favoured and blessed irrespective of sentiments or prejudice.
I pray you into God’s enabling grace to enjoy your marital BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus’ stead. Amen.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
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