Christians should marry in the Lord (Ge 28:2) (8 mins.)
Play the video Robert Ciranko: Christians should marry in the Lord (Gen. 28:2)
Are you a good marriage candidate?
Are you looking for someone to marry? What qualities are you looking for in him or her? And when other brothers or sisters who also want to get married look at you, what do they see? Do they see a person with beautiful spiritual qualities? Even if someone behaves spiritually for a while, in the end, their true nature comes out.
Write a Bible verse that relates to the following characteristics of a spiritual person:
He loves Jehovah and has faith in him.
The first thing to note is that if a person is ready to get married, he or she must demonstrate that he or she loves Jehovah and has faith in him. Here are some Bible principles we could use to determine whether someone truly loves Jehovah and has faith in him.
Matthew 6:33: “Therefore, keep seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness, and then you will receive all those things also.” A spiritual person shows love for Jehovah by putting spiritual matters above material or emotional ones. If someone puts the Kingdom first, they will also know how to keep their marriage centered on Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Matthew 6:33 says: “Therefore, keep seeking first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness, and then you will receive all those things also.” How can someone say they love Jehovah if they don’t put him in the right place?
Matthew 22:37 says: “Love Jehovah your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Someone who loves Jehovah in this way will surely do everything that pleases Jehovah.
James 2:17 says: “Faith by itself, without works, is dead.” We can say that we have faith in Jehovah and in all that he teaches us, and even tell other brothers and sisters so. But it is not enough to simply say that we have faith. As James said: “Faith without works is dead.” So someone who says that he loves Jehovah will also demonstrate it by his actions.
A spiritual person demonstrates his love and faith in Jehovah by trusting in him, even when he does not understand everything that is happening. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that Jehovah rewards those who sincerely seek him. Therefore, genuine faith is reflected in obedience and constant trust in his guidance.
Proverbs 3:5, 6 encourages us to trust in Jehovah with all our heart and not to rely solely on our own understanding. When a person applies this, he shows that he loves Jehovah and is convinced that Jehovah directs his path in the best possible way.
He knows how to exercise or respect the principle of authority.
Hebrews 13:17 says, “Be obedient and submit to those who lead you, for they are keeping watch over you and will give an account for it.” A spiritual person respects and obeys those in leadership, such as elders. This text helps us see if, on the one hand, they respect authority and, on the other hand, if they are the authority, they are qualified to exercise it correctly.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Ephesians 5:21: “Be in subjection to one another out of reverence for Christ.” A spiritual person respects the order of authority established by Jehovah. He does not seek to impose his will, but acts with humility and a willingness to cooperate. This attitude promotes peace and mutual respect in marriage.
Ephesians 5:21 invites Christians to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Those who respect authority demonstrate humility and recognize that this principle comes from Jehovah, promoting order and harmony in the home and in the congregation.
According to Hebrews 13:17, cooperating with those in charge of the congregation shows respect and spiritual maturity. Such a person understands that obeying with a good attitude not only benefits the group but also strengthens his or her own relationship with Jehovah.
It is not selfish, but shows selfless love.
Philippians 2:3, 4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4looking not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”
A person who cultivates unselfish love imitates the humility taught in this text. In marriage, this means putting the well-being of one's mate before one's own desires or preferences. When both partners act with such humility and consideration, an atmosphere of peace, respect, and mutual support is created, where love is strengthened and Jehovah's presence becomes evident in the relationship.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” When a person doesn't consider others, they are acting selfishly. But when they act selflessly and out of love, they are performing very good deeds.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not boast, it is not proud. 5It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.” These characteristics help us determine if our love is truly selfless, if we genuinely demonstrate it by helping others.
Philippians 2:3, 4 advises us to consider others as superior to us and to look out for their interests. Those who show selfless love avoid rivalry and pride, and act with the intention of building up and benefiting those around them.
True love, according to 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, “does not seek its own.” This kind of love leads a spiritual person to act with patience and kindness, reflecting the same spirit that Jesus showed in his dealings with others.
It is sensible, balanced, and reasonable.
James 3:17 says: “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
According to this text, we must note that the person should be sensible, and sensibleness involves being peaceful and reasonable. If they are balanced and reasonable, we can also observe this in the following: they are ready to obey, are full of mercy, impartial, and not hypocritical.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Proverbs 17:27: “A man of knowledge holds his tongue, and a man of understanding keeps his composure.” A spiritual person demonstrates wisdom by remaining calm and thinking before speaking. They do not respond with anger or provoke arguments, but rather show self-control and reasonableness. These qualities are essential for resolving marital problems peacefully and lovingly, strengthening communication and mutual respect within the couple.
James 3:17 describes the wisdom from above as peaceful and reasonable. Being wise means listening, analyzing, and acting with balance. A person with this quality is not driven by anger or emotions, but always seeks peaceful solutions.
Philippians 4:5 encourages us to make our reasonableness evident to everyone. A balanced person knows when to speak, when to remain silent, and how to treat others with understanding, which fosters respect and trust in those around them.
He is diligent and hardworking.
1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12: “Make it your goal to live peacefully, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you, 12so that outsiders may see your decent living and so that you will not be dependent on anyone.”
A spiritual person strives to live in peace, be responsible, and maintain an orderly lifestyle. They don't depend on others through lack of effort, but rather work diligently to support themselves and contribute to the well-being of their household. This way of life demonstrates Christian maturity, reflects balance, and sets a good example for others, showing that true faith is evidenced through responsible actions.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Proverbs 21:5 states: “The plans of the diligent will surely prosper, but the hasty will come to poverty.”
A hard worker will achieve good results, but a lazy one will hardly. And if you intend to marry someone who lacks these qualities, you know what might happen. The same applies if you are a man and lack these qualities: if you cannot meet your own needs, you will be even less able to do so for someone else.
Proverbs 22:29 says: “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings, not before common people.”
If a person is hardworking, they will be diligent in their work, and an employer will surely want such an employee so they can advance within the company. But even if they don't advance, their employer will almost certainly retain them because they are diligent and hardworking.
According to Proverbs 13:4, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent will be made rich.” Being hardworking is not only a practical virtue, but also a sign of responsibility and commitment to the tasks that Jehovah puts in our hands.
Colossians 3:23 encourages us to do everything with enthusiasm, “as for Jehovah.” Those who work with that attitude demonstrate gratitude and faithfulness, turning each daily effort into an opportunity to honor God through their conduct.
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