Since ancient times, few people can escape from being captivated by love. Two people in love spend nearly every minute together, however, problems are inevitable to rise between them after some time or marriage.
"Some people get married for social and parental pressure, physiological need or loneliness. If you don't start your marriage right, you're gonna pay several prices to mend the problems. " Claims Ms. Lin, a pastor's wife from Shandong.
She states that Christian should know love until they find satisfaction in God, because your partner will never satisfy your needs."Everybody is a sinner and so is your spouse. Can he/she give you lasting and unreserved love? Love should follow with truth. We should understand God's love." Says Lin.
The most direct way of God's love is that he gave his only son Jesus Christ who was crucified for us. "When you don't know this love and just think of the love you want, this kind of love is shallow, fleeting like sparks."
In the world filled with temptation and danger, there are too much misunderstanding and distortion of love. Lin says that some women in her church dreamt of finding the ones who love them before their conversions, but the Bible tells that love is for marriage. A hasty relationship is harmful to yourself and your lover in the end.
Sister Z who offers marriage counseling to Christians indicates that the Bible records that God said to Adam that he would make a helper suitable for him. But God didn't take action immediately, but formed beasts and birds. He brought them to the man while for Adam no suitable helper was found. Then God took one of the man's ribs, made a woman and brought her to the man.
Z says, "God made Eve when Adam was asleep. It can be seen that God has prepared a spouse for each of us. So when we're looking for our partner, first of all, have faith that God has made provision; secondly, pray to God; thirdly, prepare ourselves."
"It's essential to prepare yourself for marriage. Marriage management is a lesson to study. The meaning of marriage lies in glorifying God rather than meet your desires." She adds.
Then when is the right time for marriage? Ms. Lin answers with Genesis 2:24: "For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." "Marriage is built on three requirements: emotional, financial and thinking independence."
"If (two) married before being independent emotionally, financially and thinkers, their marriage was limited. The Bible shows that a man and his wife become one flesh, who leave their parents and start an independent living, which is the foundation of marriage." Lin concludes.
Translated by Karen Luo
