Marriage and Family, Part 1

I am writing this as I am sitting in my hotel room at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in TN. I have met some wonderful people here already! This is my first experience here, but it is exciting to connect with so many people who are interested in using the various forms of communication to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom.

We will begin this week's post with a Scripture from the book of John:

42Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

45But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.

John 8:42-45 (ESV)

Jesus was telling them that they heard and believed the lies for so long, that when the truth came to them, they thought the truth was a lie and rejected it. Why is this so important? Because it continues to happen today, and it happens among Christians. This is especially true when it comes to our understanding of marriage and family. We use secular and worldly advice and instruction to build a Christian marriage. Is it any wonder that we see an enormous number of failed marriages among Christians? It is impossible to build a Kingdom marriage on a worldly foundation.

At Breaking the Silence, we know that the next few weeks may be tough for some, because there have been so many lies about marriage and family that have been reinforced, that when the truth about these issues come, it is easier to reject the truth and continue to subscribe to the lies that have been told. We pray that your eyes are opened during these next few weeks.

Why is this issue important? First, and most important, is that marriage is the first institution that God ordained in the Bible. That tells us something about how important marriage is in the Kingdom of God. And the composition and the structure of marriage has not changed since God established it.

Next, a marriage is a type and shadow of our relationship with Christ. Consider what John wrote in the book of Revelation:

7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;.

Rev. 19:7 (ESV)

Our marriages are an extension of the family that God ordained - where Jesus is the Bridegroom, and we are the Bride. This is what our marriages should reflect here on earth.

Over the next few weeks, we will be discussing a number of issues as it pertains to marriage and family. Feel free to send us your thoughts as well - we want to hear from you!