MY ONLINE MARRIAGE SERVICE

You probably know your history, but you may not have known that FDR married within the family. Yes, he married a Roosevelt. Her name was Eleanor Roosevelt. You say, "Well, yes, after marriage." No, before marriage. The saga of the Roosevelt's in America begins with the arrival of Claes Martenszen van Rosenvelt in the 1600's. But this story really belongs to Teddy (TR) and FDR. The two presidents were 5th cousins, and came from different branches of this prolific family. TR was part of the Oyster Bay clan, while FDR came from the Hyde Park branch. Their families weren't particularly close, although they did move in the same New York social circles.

TR blazed a political path as he became governor of New York, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, vice president, and then president. TR wanted his son to continue his political trailblazing, but the young Teddy Jr. was unable to do so. Along came FDR and while he belonged to a different political party, he followed TR's example almost to the letter (governor of New York, Assistant Naval Secretary and then president). But instead of bringing the families closer together, it actually drove a wedge between them. FDR was always considered a lightweight by the Oyster Bay side. Eleanor Roosevelt (an Oyster Bay Roosevelt who married her Hyde Park cousin) was a bridge between the two groups. She was the daughter of TR's departed brother, so TR stood in as dad in the Eleanor-FDR nuptial. The rest is a four term presidency.

Every citizen of the United States every day still feels the effects of this marriage. Without the clout of the Oyster Park Roosevelts, FDR would never have become president. So we could say, "Sure, marriage is really important." But how about this? What does God say about it? Or, how does one honor God in obtaining a life's partner? Does the Bible say anything about what God wants us to do? Yes, the God Who knows us better than we know ourselves does say something about finding the right one to marry.

I am convinced that the place God outlines what He wants is 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8:

1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concu- piscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Regarding the importance, look at vv. 1-3a. Paul begs, exhorts, and commands. He calls on the authority of Jesus Christ. He describes this as a necessity ("ought") and something that pleases God. He says it will make these Thessalonian believers abound more and more. Paul had spent a part of his only three weeks with them ("ye have received") talking about this. This is "the will of God," therefore, one area in which you can know for sure you are in the will of God. What he teaches will sanctify them---leave them still able to be used of God. This way will tend towards pre-marital abstinence ("abstain from fornication").

If God wants us to know how, then that implies a way. God has a definite way. If we are to know anything, we must learn. God has a way to possess our vessel (obtain a wife or husband) that will leave us sanctified and that will honor God. We should assume that way is in Scripture. It is. God would not have told us to know it if He did not tell us what it was. We should find out the passages that teach His way and learn them. If we learn them, we will know them. If we know them, then we can obey them. If we obey them, we can still be useable to God (sanctification) and also honor God (more than just obedience). Believers care to be used of God and to honor God. Unbelievers care only about pleasing themselves. If you care whether God will use you and whether you might honor God, then this is for you. If you don't care about these, then you aren't likely to learn, know, and obey the way God prescribes anyway. And why should you? You are living only for your self. If you want to live for God, then this is the way you'll get it done.

You ask, "What is the way?" I'll tell you this week. Stay tuned.