A Cord of Three Strandsಮಾದರಿ

The Blood pact (part 2)

Over time, the marriage deteriorated more and more:

• In the Old Testament more and more polygamy, multiple concubines, divisions and divorces are reported, men dismiss their women for any reason, this to satisfy their lustful and selfish desires;
• Finally, Moses establishes a law to try to correct this aberration and thus establishes the Letter of Divorce, in possession of this letter, the woman could remarry, as well as her ex-husband, with the consent of the city elders.

The Redemptive Work of Christ:

• Jesus is called the "last Adam" because he came to redeem humanity and restore the relationship with God that Adam had lost - Romans 5:18;
• In this sense, everything related to the original marriage that was lost in the fall was also redeemed by Jesus - The New Blood Covenant;
• In Matthew 19: 3-9, we see that Jesus informs the original pattern of marriage, as God planned:
  • The Pharisees try to confuse him with respect to the Mosaic law, but Jesus does not evoke the law, but uses God's original plan as a starting point;
  • Explain that the divorce letter was given because of hardened hearts - Ezekiel 11: 19-20, but that separation or divorce was never mentioned in God's original plan;
  • God makes an exception ONLY when it comes to adultery - I Corinthians 7. Still, through Jesus, He teaches his disciples that forgiveness must overcome everything, and that it must prevail in the case of repentance by the adulterer;
  • Therefore, God hates divorce; separation from a Christian couple is as if a life is divided in half, resulting in death. Divorce should NEVER be an option for a Christian couple.

If both are redeemed in Christ, then they can experience the fullness of the "one flesh" relationship as God planned the marriage:

• Only through Christ can we achieve God's blessings. He paid a high price to recover what was lost in the Garden of Eden;
• Without Jesus, all our efforts with human methods and techniques are failed attempts to improve our lives and marriages, only He can change our hearts;
• Once redeemed in Christ, we have no reason to live by world standards and be attacked by the same satanic weapons that destroy other marriages around us;
• God places powerful biblical principles at our disposal to rebuild following his original plan;
• Following this pattern, we will fulfill his promises: "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." - Isaiah 58:11

Homework:

1. Remember the day of your marriage. Look for photos, videos, memories. How was that day they were happy? Are there promises that need to be renewed today? If you feel yes, do not stop doing it.
2. What differences between you generate more conflicts in the relationship? How could you use these differences to favor and not walk away?
3. The life of a flesh needs to be nurtured to reach maturity. For that, we need:

a) Honor our spouse considering their needs above mine.

b) Leave other relationships, considering marriage superior to any relationship on earth.

c) Be transparent and totally open and honest with each other.

Based on that information, how much are you becoming one flesh?