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Marriage and Family
According to Buckley, The New Testament teaches us the concerns of a social
gospel: poverty, hunger, water, homelessness, medical epidemics, social justice, equality, and
environmentalism. These topics should be concerning to Christians. Social investment should
be important to every follower of Christ because our love and lives must mirror god’s love
and Christ’s life. Marriage and family are a part of God’s plan. There are several issues that
may get in the way of God’s plan due to our sinful natures but with God’s help marriages can
be saved.
Issues Impacting the State of Marriage and Family
One of the biggest issues in most marriages today is the stress and turmoil over
finances. Stress felt by one individual may overflow into the relationship. This causes hurt
feelings, distance, lack of intimacy, and even divorce. Most marriages today end in divorce
over finances. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many
foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction (1 Timothy 6:9
NASB1995). When we live beyond our means or try to compete with others financially, then
we are allowing Satan into our lives versus just making a living and serving God.
Another common issue in marriages and family today is the lack of communication
with our partner. Communication is key in maintaining a relationship. It is important to make
time to communicate and not just everyday life conversations. When the communication is
lax or not longer even happening this is when more serious issues arise. When couples don’t
communicate about an issue that is bothering them or just pushes it aside this allows for
resentment and distrust to grow, ( Timmons, A. C., Arbel, R., & Margolin, G., 2017). When
there is no communication there is no real intimacy.
The third common issue in a marriage and family is infidelity. This is an issue that
stems from having no communication, life or financial stressors, boredom, and emotional
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issues. All of these issues that lead to infidelity start with the lack of communication. When
someone is unfaithful in a marriage then the trust is broken. Trust is a hard issue to work
through and many couples divorce over infidelity. In Exodus 20:14 (NASB1995),
“You shall not commit adultery”. This is one of God’s commandments and when you cheat
on your spouse you’re breaking God’s law.
The Plan
The first step to keep a marriage alive is to communicate with your spouse. It is
important to be open and honest and let them know how you are feeling and why you may
feel a certain way. Make time every day to talk to your spouse not just about daily events but
to talk about your needs and concerns.
The second step is to sit down with your partner and set up a budget and career goals.
It is important that you and your partner have a plan and each person is aware of their roles
and expectations. When there is a question or a change talk about it with your spouse. Never
try to live beyond your means. It is important to work together and to have the same goals.
Make financial decisions together.
The third step is to keep communication going in your marriage, make time for each
other, and keep dating your spouse. People can get bored in a marriage and even feel lonely
when their spouse doesn’t communicate with them and isn’t intimate with them. Intimacy is
an important part of a marriage and is part of God’s plan.
Conclusion
There can be many issues that can arise in a marriage but if you keep God in your
marriage it will make your marriage stronger. It vital for a successful marriage to invite God
into your marriage and that you pray for and with your spouse and study the bible with them.
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References
Buckley, C. (2010). Humanitarian Jesus: Social Justice and the Cross. The Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781575674919
Timmons, A. C., Arbel, R., & Margolin, G. (2017). Daily patterns of stress and conflict in
couples: Associations with marital aggression and family-of-origin aggression.
Journal of Family Psychology, 31(1), 93–104. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000227
New American Standard Bible. (1995). https://www.bible.com/bible/100/1ti.6.9
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