Marriage is good and comes with a bill for both husband and wife to pay: to serve each other by mutual agreement. There are many commitments included in the marriage act, which give both of them the certainty that they will live well if there is mutual respect. The pastor must minister to the bride and groom, members of his church, in a frank and holy conversation about everything that involves marriage, because they have had different upbringings and therefore must adjust!

           When asked about divorce, Jesus spoke about the sanctity of marriage, saying that the spouses become one flesh. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He Who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4,5). God has already explained the conditions for this to happen!

           Many authorities, doctors, and even religious ministers will realize what they have said and done against the Word of God. In the beginning, the Creator made male and female, and this must continue for life. However, because of spiritual problems, many deny the nature or commitment of marriage and get divorced: So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate (Matthew 19:6). Submit to the Lord's plan!

           The Pharisees cited Moses' permission: They said to him: Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away? He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, from the beginning it was not so” (Matthew 19:7,8). Then Jesus revealed the exception: And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery (Matthew 19.9).

           Here's what Christ's disciples said about this serious matter: His disciples said to him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry” (Matthew 19.10). But He said to them: “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given (Matthew 19.11). Spiritual matters are not to be trifled with, but to be understood.

           In the previous lesson, Paul stated that it would be good if men didn't seek women. But in verse 6, he said that his statement was a permission, not a commandment. Not least because, in the verse we're studying today, he reinforced that husband and wife have to pay each other due benevolence. This means that, as long as one is in need, the other should serve with joy.

           It is good when the couple serves the Lord, lives for each other, and both live for God. There are cases in which, due to a health problem, one of the spouses doesn't feel the need for intimate contact. In this case, they should wisely seek the help of the Most High in prayer, and if they are not well in faith, they can seek medical help.

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares