FOUR CARDINAL RULES IN MARITAL RELATIONSHIP
Matthew 19:3-8 (NLT)
Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?”
“Haven’t you read the Scriptures?”[ Jesus replied. ] “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’
And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’
Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?”] [ they asked.]
[Jesus replied, ] “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
There are Four Cardinal (of fundamental importance) Rules from the original plans of God for family life towards building a lasting relationship as stated by the Master in our text Matthew 19:3-8.
Let us look at them.
1️⃣. Monogamy – one man one wife
Matt.19:4 “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?”[ Jesus replied. ] “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’
▶️ 🛑 Any marriage apart from this form of marriage is from man and not God’s will for man.
2️⃣. Togetherness – Becoming one
Matt. 19:5 And he said, ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’
▶️🛑 It must be one in everything : one bedroom, same response to others and speaking with one voice, same properties, e.t.c Anything contrary is man’s decisions against God’s will.
3️⃣. Indivisible– incapable of being divided. Nothing should split them – Never to live apart
Matt. 19:6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
▶️🛑 Let not money, job, or employment overseas or whatever make them to live apart as couples.
Why does God insist on oneness?
Malachi 2:15 (NLT) Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? In body and spirit you are his. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth
Show me a divided matrimonial home and I will show you wayward and ungodly children.
4️⃣. No divorce. Divorce is a formal ending of marriage –
Matt.19 7-8 “Then why did Moses say in the law that a man could give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away?”] [ they asked.] 8[Jesus replied, ] “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended.
▶️🛑 If divorce had never been God’s original plan, then man devices it and will bear consequences of disobedience.
We are free to choose but NOT free from the consequences of our choices.
In order to build a lasting relationship in marriage, the FOUR CARDINAL (of fundamental importance) RULES of God must be adhered to.
There are few who follow the narrow path of God’s direction and experience life in their marriages. Also there are many on the broad way after the tradition of men in marriage and experience death in their marriages. We are given power to choose.
