(Part 3): Why God Has Rules And Laws

When considering marriage, it is essential that the foundation (the rules) of their home be first established.

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)

A Christian home is established by Christian principles and practices.

Of course, what may be agreed to in the beginning does not necessarily ensure either party will remain true to those promises.

There are those who argue that “by law” I have “the right” to divorce my spouse on a “no fault grounds,” but for the Christian man or woman of God therein lies the potential dilemma. Your right depends on whose authority you are under.

Love and Authority

A lasting marriage hinges on the foundation of two principles; Love and Authority.

Love is essential in any marriage but that is just one component necessary to sustain a successful marriage. There’s another component that is equally as important and should be fully understood before any marriage ever takes place, it is called authority.

Authority:

For Christians, true love is centered around possessing and demonstrating God’s Love, and God is our authority on all things. To have a lasting marriage is more than just saying “I’m in love” or boasting about how great a lover you may think you are or how much income you bring to the table. The purpose of getting married is far more reaching than just having a clear conscious to be intimate with someone we desire. A Christian marriage means you are willing to make a commitment (for better or worse) and accept certain responsibilities. The commitment is not just to our spouse, but one made to God and before God.

It is this aspect of their “stated” commitment (made before God) that reminds the couple that their behavior towards one another should also be one that would be found acceptable under the authority of God.

So, Why Do We Need A Lesson On Authority?

Without teaching about authority, people will begin to make up their own rules.

There Are Two Types Of Authority:

Primary Authority: Resides in God

God is our maker and, therefore, God has the absolute right to command and it is our duty to obey him. (Isa 44:24, Isa 45:18)

Delegated Authority: Is the right to command and to enforce obedience given to another by the one holding primary authority.

The Prophets were the first to receive delegated authority from God – Exodus 12:28 (NKJV) & Exodus 34:34 (NKJV)

Jesus had delegated authority – Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)

Jesus delegated His authority – Matthew 18:18 (NKJV) & Luke 10:16 (NKJV)

Authority Involves Obedience

Authority commands and instructs. Authority also has the ability to condemn and punish (i.e. a parent / disobedient child) or (God / disobedient child of God)

Everyone (child, adults, men and women) is subject to an authority over them. Whether or not you agree or submit to that authority is a different matter. However, it doesn’t change the fact that God has delegated to the husband differs from that authority given to the wife.

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1Cor 11:3)

A Christian woman’s willingness to accept the authority God has appointed unto her husband (through the scripture) will be a vitally important matter to consider in the marriage relationship, especially when times of disagreement and decision making come into effect.

Generally, most couples have a pretty good idea of what they are getting into when they decide to get married. For some marriage was a calculated gamble, “the spouse had some good qualities that outweighed his/her shortcomings” or “I can change him/her after I get married.”

Unfortunately, that strategy doesn’t always work. There are times when a marriage may not be all that you hoped it would be. Instead of smooth sailing, you may encounter turbulence and strong opposition and resistance from your spouse.

So what do you do if you or your spouse become discontent in your marriage? There is an endless litany of grievances or excuses the parties could use to justify their dissatisfaction with each other. It could include allegations of being mistreated, deceived, lied to, cheated, hurt, or maybe you just wanted a different lover because the one you currently have is not fulfilling all of our desires.

Without adhering to the proper rule of law, we create chaos, arguments, resentment, bitterness, vindictiveness, and eventually hatred toward one another. So how are we as Christians to properly resolve our grievances. There is the right way and there is the wrong way and both reveal the true intent of the heart.

God’s Rule Of Law: Concerning Lawsuits ( Divorce Is A Lawsuit)

Going to Court Against Christians 

1 Corinthians 6: 1-10 (NLV)

6 Why do you go to court when you have something against another Christian? You are asking people who are not Christians to judge who is guilty. You should go to those who belong to Christ and ask them. ² Did you not know that those who belong to Christ will someday judge this world? If you judge the people of the world as guilty, are you not able to do this in small things? ³ Did you not know that we are to judge angels? So you should be able to take care of your problem here in this world without any trouble.

⁴ When you have things to decide about this life, why do you go to men in courts who are not even Christians? ⁵ You should be ashamed! Is it true that there is not one person wise enough in your church to decide who is right when people argue? ⁶ Instead, one Christian takes another Christian to court. And that court is made up of people who are not Christians! ⁷ This shows you are wrong when you have to go to court against each other. Would it not be better to let someone do something against you that is wrong? Would it not be better to let them rob you? ⁸ Instead, you rob and do wrong to other Christians.

The Body Is to Be Holy

⁹ Do you not know that sinful men will have no place in the holy nation of God? Do not be fooled. A person who does sex sins, or who worships false gods, or who is not faithful in marriage, or men who act like women, or people who do sex sins with their own sex, will have no place in the holy nation of God. ¹⁰ Also those who steal, or those who always want to get more of everything, or who get drunk, or who say bad things about others, or take things that are not theirs, will have no place in the holy nation of God.

Mat 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13

When conflicts occur within a Christian marriage it is to be resolved based upon scripturally and that which would be “acceptable” and “pleasing” in the eyes of God.