by Dr. Tom Cowley and Mrs. Karen Cowley
As we think about marriage, family and living in harmony, Dr. and Mrs. Cowley share their ideas and thinking by focusing on three basic foundations:
1. Focus on a close discipleship relationship with Jesus
2. Start with a simple Christ-centered theology
3. Realize that marriage and family are at the center of the Christian walk and life
In this article, we will focus on the third foundation.
Marriage and Family = Center of the Christian walk and life
Love of Family / Believers Community
Mark 3:33-35 – Who are my mother and my brothers? He (Jesus) asked. Then he looked at those seated around him and said, here are my mother and my brothers! Who ever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.
Family and a Kingdom centered Christian community seem to be considered the same in the teachings of Jesus. Both our genetic family and Christ centered close friends are very important to walking with Jesus. As a matter of fact he noted the same love that he shared with his closed community of disciples is the standard of family love and relationships.
Matthew 19:19a honor your father and mother
Parents are important to the kingdom family tree. Jesus quoted Old Testament law when he commanded his followers to honor your father and mother. Close Christian friends are also like family. In John 11:3 the sisters (Mary and Martha) sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord the one you love (Lazarus) is sick.’ Jesus healed this close friend a near family member.
John 19:26-27 (Jesus on the cross to his Mother and the disciple he lover) “Dear woman, here is your son” and said to the disciple he loved, “Here is your Mother”.
Jesus insured the proper care of his Mother upon his death. At the foot of the cross Jesus saw his Mother and shared, that from this time forward the disciple he loved (John) took her into his home.
Marriage is important; a couple that prays together; stays together
Value a good marriage! Two becoming one is to be cherished
A group of Pharisees came to Jesus with a difficult question concerning divorce, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Matthew 19:3b). Jesus went back to the original purpose of marriage in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24; God created man and woman in his own image and in marriage two (a man and a woman) become one flesh. Jesus discourages divorce by sharing, “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” (Mathew 19:6)
Jesus does not focus on laws, but where the heart is. This is the goal in marriage; two become one. When one finds this in the husband and wife relationship, it is a treasure and gift from God. The love of Christ and his cross at the center of marriage is God’s vision of two becoming one in him.
Marriage partners, who pray together, stay together! Love including forgiveness is to be the language of family, Christian friends, parents, and spouses. This laudable goal is something to strive for in our life each day.
