Anesti Ministries

Marriage and singlehood

Our view of marriage must be shaped by God’s Word and not the world’s views. God designed marriage as a sacred covenant in which two people come together to become one (Genesis 2:24). This does not mean that either party loses their individuality. Becoming one means that the husband and wife share the deepest physical, emotional and spiritual connection. When two people join in marriage, God no longer views each person as separate individuals but both individuals as one. While society may legally allow married couples to divorce, Christians must hold themselves to God’s standard. No man-made law or religious law can undo the spiritual covenant that was made before God.

Jesus makes it clear that singlehood and marriage both serve God’s purpose. A person’s worth and identity should not to be placed in marriage but in Christ. In the Old Testament, marriage and bearing children was a sign of success. But whether we are married or single, all of us are called to devote ourselves entirely to the Lord. In the Old Testament, Eunuchs were separated from God’s community (Deuteronomy 23:1). But Isaiah 56:3-4 points to the time of Christ when everyone will be accepted into God’s Kingdom.

The reward of following Christ

At first glance, it may seem like verse 13-15 stands on its own. But on closer inspection, we see that the example of the children is contrasted with the rich young man. The children were helpless to get to Jesus on their own. However, they were able to come close to Jesus because Jesus allowed them to enter. The children came with nothing but a heart full of expectation and they left blessed by Jesus. On the contrary, the rich young man had status, authority, power and success. However he could not let go of what he had to follow Jesus. The rich young man came seeking to justify himself but ultimately left with nothing.

Eternal life is not something that can be bought. It is a gift that we receive through Jesus Christ. Very often as Christians, we are taught only to focus on being obedient to God’s commandments. This is not wrong at all. However if we want to mature as Christians, we must learn to surrender all that we own to the Lord. The rich young ruler could not follow Jesus because he was not willing to let go of his wealth. A person who desires to follow Jesus cannot be distracted by worldly wealth. One of the most difficult things Jesus calls us to do is to let go of what we have. We have to learn to surrender our pursuit of material things so that we can follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus calls us not to accumulate wealth for ourselves but to use our wealth to advance God’s Kingdom. Each time you let go and give to others, your heart becomes spiritually richer.

Jesus promises that those who leave everything behind to follow Him will receive so much more in return. Jesus calls us to not to desire the temporary fame, wealth and power this world has to offer. Instead we should live with Kingdom perspective.