Topic: Commitment In Marriage (1)
Dear Reader,
Happy New Year! It is a great privilege to write with you in mind. It is my prayer that all that God has in store for you and your family this year will be fully actualised. All through this month, I will be teaching on the topic: Commitment in Marriage.
It is important to know that behind every successful relationship and marriage, is commitment. It is a vital tool that holds marriage together. The level of your commitment to your relationship with your husband, wife or family members will ultimately determine how heavenly your home will be.
What then, is Commitment?
The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.” In other words, there are some things you cannot do by reason of your commitment. This is why Apostle Paul said: All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12). Commitment makes you choose what is important above the norm. Sometimes, privileges that are lawfully yours will be forfeited for the interest of your family.
However, there are two main levels of commitment. They include:
- Commitment to God: Your first commitment must be to God. This is the foundation that makes for the success of all other commitments. We understand from Hebrews 3:4 that, …every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. That means, all your efforts to build a heavenly home will amount to nothing without the help of God. God is really all you need to have all your needs met. Without Him you can do nothing. That is, without commitment to God in your marriage, you cannot be committed to your spouse. The Bible says: I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).
In actual fact, any man or woman who is genuinely committed to God is bound to be committed to the success of his or her home because he or she will endeavour to obey God. Let me say this to single men and women, before you marry any man or woman, ensure that he or she is genuinely committed to God, because if he or she is not, it will affect the success of the home.
I remember on September 12, 1976, my husband (then my fiancé) wrote a paper titled “Sailing Under Sealed Orders.” One thing that struck me most in that vow of commitment to God was the phrase, “Christ is either Lord of all or not Lord at all…” I rejoiced when I read it and even had to sign that I would allow him to serve God completely and unreservedly. That is why I am not surprised at his commitment to our home, because his commitment to God is unquestionable.
- Commitment to Spouse: Your commitment to God will be more practicable when you are committed to your spouse and family members. Commitment to God and to your spouse is like a bicycle. Each wheel represents these two levels of commitments. When one is broken, the other is non-functional. Without commitment on both levels, no matter what else is in place, that family is going nowhere.
Commitment is what drives a man to love his wife despite how he feels or what she has done or failed to do. It is also what drives a woman to be submissive to her husband, under all circumstances. Any man you see who finds it difficult to love his wife or makes excuses for not loving her, is not committed to making that marriage work.
If you are a stubborn and insultive wife, who refuses to submit to her husband, your problem is simply lack of commitment! If you are committed to the success of your marriage, you will not need anyone to advise you; you will willingly and excitedly submit to your husband and your husband will express his love to you.
Commitment is the framework on which a marriage is built. A man and his wife must therefore, be totally committed to each other spiritually, physically, emotionally and otherwise. This in turn brings the required peace, joy and security in the home.
To be committed to God and your family, the first thing you need to do is to give your life to Christ because that is where commitment begins from. If you are not born again you need to do so before it is be too late. Do say this prayer in faith: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.