The Wedding Vow (I)

A vow...,

Is three things:

• A deliberate and free promise.

• An act of devotion or service.

• A commitment made for the sake of a greater good.

This means that the wedding vow is made in response to another, in devotion or service to that other, and it is made with the expectation that such a commitment will bring about something greater. In other words, there must be [sweet] fruit as a result of the vow.

The Wedding Vow:

"I, Joseph, take thee Mary, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till in death we part, and with this ring I thee wed, and with my body I thee honour, and pledge my faithfulness."

Beautiful words, isn't it? But sadly, how many understand the weight of the wedding vow? Do we realize the sanctity and sacredness of this vow?

The story of Jepthah in Scriptures exemplifies the foolishness of making vows rashly  (See Judg.11:29-40).

When I was much younger, I possessed lot of zeal without knowledge in the area of making [financial] vows and pledges even when I knew I had no means to redeem them. Fortunately for me, my mother found out. She led me in a prayer of mercy to God, after which she taught me the proper way of making a vow (not just financially). I am certain she thought to herself that, if I was unable to keep my financial vows, I may not be able to stick with any other vow.

I talk about the subject of relationship and marriage very passionately because I know where God has ranked the marriage institution and that's why the devil is up and against successful families.

Nevertheless, without a successful marriage relationship, a great family life cannot happen! Little wonder, the devil is fighting the marriage institution with everything in his arsenal and it seems we are in active partnership with the devil by the things we do in our relationships.

Some believers make promises of marriage to totally unsuitable people and they need to swiftly apply the wisdom brakes of 2 Cor.6:14-18 before they do. For, no amount of  pride, honour or expense is worth a failed marriage.

Every day thousands of people stand before cloud of witnesses and exchange wedding vows. Sadly, many of these couples will break their vows within weeks. Some days. You might have heard of hours! Some couples do not take their vows seriously and thus pay very little attention to the import of those words spoken at their wedding. For some, while the vows are read, they are thinking sex. They be like, "Can this 'joining' end already. Need to start having sex legally." If that is you, don't wait for marriage to begin having sex, just go ahead because marriage is more than sex. It is commitment.

This article seeks to examine the vows ministers usually have couples exchange on their wedding day.

• To Be My Wedded Spouse.

This is recognition of the fact that you are not going to just live together, but that you are entering into a covenant relationship. Those in the days of Malachi forgot that the Lord had been a "witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant" (2:14).

Solomon, Israel's wisest king warned his son about the immoral woman "who forsakes the companion of her youth, and forgets the covenant of her God" (Prov.2:17). So holy is the marriage relationship that apostle Paul likened it to the relationship of Christ and His church (Eph.5:22-31). When a couple become one in holy matrimony, they are giving their word, their honour and commitment that they will keep the promises they made on that day. These vows should be sacred to them, for they are sacred to God.

• To Have And To Hold From This Day Forward.

One of my favourite couples: Cornelius & Heather Lindsey. 

This part of the vow speaks of companionship. Fellowship. Sometimes young people get married and want to keep on living like they are still single. When you get married, your closest companion should be your spouse. Most couples do not know this because (like me), they did not have good precedents to follow.

My dear married or soon-to-be married reader, one of the greatest things you can do for your children is to make sure they know that their parents are forever (not sometimes) in love with each other. The key word is 'forever'.

Some television programs show married couples sleeping in separate rooms. Personally, I grew up in this kind of home. That is not a picture of a good marriage. Children need to see that daddy returned home from work and hugged mummy and she liked it. They need to see their parents hold hands in public and give each other tokens of meaningful affection. It affirms to the child that they have a stable home and this can help boost the self-esteem of your children in public.

• For Richer Or Poorer.

Here you both are committing to love and honour each other regardless of your financial level. Money is good [and I encourage you both have more than enough) but it should NOT be the foundation of your commitment to your spouse. Work together. Build together. Grow from phase to phase together. Engage together in covenant (biblical) principles that ensure financial prosperity. Learn contentment. If you get married because of money, you will mourn.

In concluding the first part of this piece, I would love to add that wedding vows are not the only life-altering vows you can commit your life to. Becoming a believer and dedicating your life to the service of the Lord is the most important vow. It not only offers you earthly benefits, it secures your eternal benefits as well. The same way we look forward to our wedding day (for those of us getting married), we as believers should much more anticipate the marriage supper where we (His bride) will be joined to our Groom, the Man: Jesus in eternal union and new birth is our ticket to this wedding.

You may miss getting married on earth..,but you CANNOT afford to miss this other wedding. If you're yet to commit to this life-altering vow, please CLICK here: Meet My Oldest Boyfriend.

God bless you.