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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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Chapter
12 • MARRIAGE
Those
who are courting or are contemplating marriage must remember
that complete happiness can be achieved only when it is "in
the Lord". History and experience show that where there
is no unity of thought and purpose, whether it be between
God and Israel, Christ and the ecclesia, or between a husband
and wife, there may follow a break in fellowship and unity
with God. How could it be otherwise? That is the sadness and
the tragedy of divorce or separation.
When the Israelites were delivered from Egypt they were told
that they should not "make marriages" with the peoples
of Canaan. Moses gave the reason in words which are relevant
today: "Thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son,
nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will
turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other
gods . . ."
Paul had much the same things to say when he wrote: "Do
not be mismated with unbelievers. For what partnership have
righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with
darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what has
a believer in common with an unbeliever?"
Marriage, properly understood and lived, is a part of the
divine fellowship in which love, patience, sympathy, understanding
and service can be truly learned, and happy is the couple
from whom these flow to the rest of the household of faith,
for their reward will be the eternal blessing of God, the
Father.
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References
1 Cor 7v16, Deut 7v3-4, 2 Cor 6v14-15 RSV
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Chapter
13• THE WAY OF PRAYER
THE
spirit of prayer is caught, not taught. It is caught from the prayers
of the faithful in the Bible, and from the example of Jesus.
There may be difficulties. Some who have grown old in the Faith
have confessed that they had not found it easy to pray; perhaps
because of diffidence in speaking to the Father, or because it had
been mistakenly assumed that one should use a particular form of
words. Some found that they did not know what to pray for, or about.
Yet the Father is the truest Friend of all and we can reveal things
to Him that could never be told to anyone else.
Prayer is the opportunity for worship, for praise and thanksgiving,
for supplication and for the joy of talking with the Father. It
can be silent or uttered, and used anywhere and at any time: in
a tram or bus, when driving a car or walking to work; at home, in
the office or factory; or even whilst standing before a king in
great distress. The Psalmist wrote of such a moment:
"Hear
my prayer, O Lord,
And let my cry come unto thee.
Hide not thy face from me in the day of my distress:
Incline thine ear unto me;
In the day when I call answer me speedily."
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References
Neh 2v4, Psa 102v1-2
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