Family Success. Some people say it is better to marry for love because love can carry a family through good times and bad times. Other people say it is not enough to marry for love.
When love is mentioned, we usually think of romantic love. The foundation of love we have established throughout this series is found in Ephesians 5:25. The word ‘love’ used in this context is from the Greek word Agape; Sacrificial love.
For us to have successful families and relationships, they must be built on sacrificial love, which is the foundation of the life of a Christian.
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. (1 John 3:16)
Real love is the love that gives and forgives, so we should be ready to sacrifice for others to show real love. We tend to forget that before we came together in our relationships, we were first brothers and sisters in Christ.
Nothing destroys a relationship more than selfishness, and nothing nurtures it as much as selflessness. Our natural tendency is to only focus on ourselves, that is why we need the help of the Holy Spirit, He gives us the capacity to shift attention away from ourselves.
Marriage itself is not magical, it is the people in the marriage that choose to make the marriage magical. Where there is a foundation of sacrificial love, then friendship can be built.
Friendship in marriage builds emotional and physical intimacy, it helps couples feel safe with each other without fear of judgement. With sacrificial love, intimacy between a couple would be ‘give and take’ with each person putting the other person first. (1 Corinthians 7:4 NLT)
To enjoy the best of what God has provided, we must change our thought process.
Sermon excerpt from Sunday sermon by Pastor Boye Oloyede – Sunday 21, May, 2023
Watch this sermon here.
