From their study they discovered that:
“Overall, 33% of all born-again individuals, who have been married, have gone through a divorce which is statistically identical to the 34% incidence among non born-again adults.”
Are you wondering why we see virtually no difference in such a vital aspect of family and society?
On a hillside by the Sea of Galilee two thousand years ago, Jesus provided the answer.
Are you wondering why we see virtually no difference in such a vital aspect of family and society?
On a hillside by the Sea of Galilee two thousand years ago, Jesus provided the answer.
His answer is as relevant to us today as it was to those He spoke to then:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Today, many of us are like the man who built his house on the sand.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell – and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Today, many of us are like the man who built his house on the sand.
We are anxious to hear but reluctant to act upon God’s truth, applying it to daily life.
If we are unwilling to walk by faith in God’s word, then all we have left to build our lives upon are the ever-changing philosophies of the world and the desires of the flesh.
Often, our personal relationships, such as marriage, reveal the nature of our foundation.
Often, our personal relationships, such as marriage, reveal the nature of our foundation.
Unfortunately, close relationships often reveal the ugly characteristics of the flesh, such as selfishness, impatience, and pride.
Many people never knew how selfish they really were until they got married........
These attitudes are at the very root of most trials and tribulations we encounter in life.
These attitudes are at the very root of most trials and tribulations we encounter in life.
Why do marriages break up?
For the most part, one or both of the people are involved in doing their own thing in their own way and in their own time.
After all, “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Gen 2:24), is marriage from God’s perspective.
After all, “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Gen 2:24), is marriage from God’s perspective.
Yet, two people must live this out.
These two must face the daily choice to “submit to one another in love” and live as one person.
We also know in Ephesians 5, husbands are directed to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”
We also know in Ephesians 5, husbands are directed to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.”
Likewise wives are directed to “submit to your husbands in everything.”
We hear these words, but fail to put them into practice.
We hear these words, but fail to put them into practice.
Instead we give into the desires of the flesh.
The prophet Isaiah summarized mankind in this way.
The prophet Isaiah summarized mankind in this way.
“We all like sheep have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way.”
What are we to do?
What are we to do?
How do we overcome these fleshly desires and attitudes?
Hear the word of Christ and then put His words into practice by faith in Him.
For example, in John 15:5 Jesus said,
......“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”..........
Most Christians have heard these words, but 'most' do not act on them.
Most Christians have heard these words, but 'most' do not act on them.
Jesus taught us this truth so that we would actually abide in Him and bear the fruit of His life and love for others.
Apart from abiding in Him, we have only the flesh available to deal with the problems of life. This foundation is certain to crumble... !
Whenever people sharing the love of God in their most important personal relationships, we know that they are not merely hearers of the word of God......
Whenever people sharing the love of God in their most important personal relationships, we know that they are not merely hearers of the word of God......
They have taken to heart what God says, truly resting in Christ and trusting Him to live His life through them.
Many men and women seeking advice and counsel for the various problems they were encountering.
Many men and women seeking advice and counsel for the various problems they were encountering.
For the most part, they already knew what to do in their situation.
Their inner struggle stemmed from a reluctance to put what they knew to be true into practice.
Those who gave into fear and doubt and surrendered to the flesh found nothing but the sand of secular opinions to build upon.
Those who gave into fear and doubt and surrendered to the flesh found nothing but the sand of secular opinions to build upon.
Those who moved forward in faith and established a firm foundation, were able to see God build and strengthen their relationships.
You have everything you need for life and godliness in Jesus Christ.
You have everything you need for life and godliness in Jesus Christ.
Let Him prove His faithfulness to you in building lasting and meaningful relationships,
.......else you could just as well not even try, -you're bound & guaranteed to fail !
Shalom
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