If one truly searches the meaning and purpose of human existence here on earth, there is no other text/resource available to find the answer other than the Holy Bible. Why? It contains reliable and logical accounts of human origin, biological and historical facts, genuine testimonies of God’s people experiencing God directly and indirectly, and the reports of his intervention in their personal and social lives. Even though science deals with matter and the physical world, it cannot fully prove or answer existential questions regarding human conscience, spirit, and soul. This is also applicable to the system and foundation of Marriage and Family.
Marriage and Family: The Divine Idea.
We get a glimpse of heaven and God’s created beings, hosts of angels worshipping him and serving him from biblical narratives. Was that not a reason of satisfaction and happiness in the mind of God? Not at all. If the argument is genuine in this regard, God wanted a family of his own. He wanted children to carry his own image. One point in eternity before the foundation of the world, he conducted his divine idea: His family on earth. He set up the solar system for that purpose. He created the beautiful earth with all the natural resources for the sustenance of billions of people on planet earth. He created the animal kingdom, sea-world, fowls of the air arranging the biodiversity of the marvelous earth and much more.
By God’s design, his created son Adam, and his daughter Eve (who Adam named) was brought together (humans call it marriage). He blessed them with freedom of choice, otherwise, free will. They were given extremely specific rules to keep in mind and obey. We read the “fall” of the couple when the enemy of God came with enticing conversation to create doubts in their minds about the truthfulness of their creator. Consequently, they lost the paradise experience of the beautiful garden where they were employed along with God’s image with which they were made.
They lost the original garment of glory with which they were clothed. The residence changed, the workplace shifted to the rough earth. Hard labor, toiling the ground for a livelihood for Adam, and labor pain for Eve was mandated by God. God the Father wanted to restore their original images back. He planned of a great rescue in time: Salvation through Jesus Christ. He promised that the “seed” of the woman shall crush the enemy’s head. This was fulfilled at the Cross. He did not abandon his children, his own family. He still wants to communicate with his children, to transfer his love, to dine with them, to dwell with them, to be their leader and guide, to be their Father.
Family: The basic social institution.
The family which God instituted is the basic unit of the society. All other institutions originated for families. Marriage carries the fingerprint of God. The stability and permanence of this institution depends on the values mandated by its creator. Deviating from the original design shall hurt and overturn this godly institution.
“For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named” (Ephesians 3: 14,15). In the United States, nuclear families, traditionally defined as married couples with children, currently account for less than 20% of all households are becoming a minority group in (AI Overview). We are going to face a crisis in the continuation of families with values and strong foundations. God-centered families shall thrive. The families who choose and obey the Father’s commandments through Christ, shall eventually be reunited in God’s abode in eternity. “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people.” (Rev 21:3).
Rosamma Thomas
