Tag: Image of God

The Purpose of Marriage

On July 18, 2013

In the first chapter of Genesis, God creates “man and woman” in his image. In chapter two we get the details of how Adam and Eve were created. In this current generation, the image of God through man and wife (‘Marriage’) is diminishing. Just as Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew, our hearts are hardened and we look for any reason to get out of a bad situation. We run away and hide. Just like Adam and Eve did! Divorce is everywhere. You see road signs posted everywhere that you can get divorced for just $99.99.

In today’s culture, one of marriage’s most visible enemies is sex. Adultery and homosexuality is growing at an alarming rate. It has never been so easy for the innocence of our children to be corrupted by premature exposure to sex. The curse of Sodom and Gomorrah is evident.

How can a child grow to be a responsible, moral adult — adhering to good values and honorable ethics if his/her parents are not there to guide, lead, and show him/her the right way? How can mom and dad represent the image of God when their love only works during the good times? Can godliness exist without strong parents loving and honoring each other for better or worse? You will have troubles in your marriage. You will have tragedy. Death, illness, lies, deceit, betrayal, and lust will not be foreign adversaries to any marriage. However, it is through our personal sacrifices that we gain victory of over those enemies and our marriages evolve into the image of Christ.

We are the bride of Christ. There is a reason why God uses marriage as the picture of His relationship with us. Marriage is lifelong. Other than your commitment to God, it is the greatest covenant and commitment a man and a woman can have to each other and the world. The purpose for marriage is not for procreation. More importantly, it serves as a testament to the world that God is Holy, alive and beautiful.

Good Parents

By Marshall Mabry

On November 4, 2011

In Praise and Worship

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
God’s purpose for His creation of Man and Woman is found in the subsequent verse Genesis 1:28 (NIV);
“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Father and Mother complete the image of God to our children. Not just a father or a single mother — both.

Every good parent wants the best for their children. They work diligently to provide a home, food and clothing. They, in turn, expect obedience and honor from their children. Good parents provide time for entertainment and recreation, for laughter, for bonding and for work. Good parents provide structure and stability for their children so that children know their responsibility, duty and limitations.

Everything we do should have boundaries. Anything (except Jesus!) done in excess is idol worship. I heard a pastor say that it is when “we take good things and make them godly things we create idols” in our life. The discipline set up by good parents should help their children flee the temptation to create idols. Satan knows that the best way to destroy the world is to divide what was meant to be Holy from the beginning, Man and Woman, Man and Wife, or parents. Divorce, broken homes, and homosexuality are steadily increasing. The image of God created in the beginning is being redefined by Satan, the world, and lost people. Especially, some men and women who call themselves “good parents.”