Information Related to "Male-Female Relationships"
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Male-Female Relationships By Robert Berendt We're created to be complementary, but this secret of successful marriage relationships can get lost in the mysteries and mayhem of the modern battle of the sexes.
ecently I read a very fine description of how a man and woman can complement one another. It was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem "The Song of Hiawatha":
It is amazing how some people are gifted in choosing words to convey such profound thoughts. As I read these lines, the proof of their veracity was confirmed in my memories, experiences and in the statements of the Bible.
When I was a boy, I made many crude bows and arrows. In summer camps, one of the favorite activities is using a bow and arrow. It fascinates boys and girls. A friend of mine constructs fine bows and carefully chooses the wood and the cord that is required. Selection of material for both the bow and the cord is crucial for a well-made instrument. The bow is hard and tough; the cord is limp and pliable. But when joined together, a powerful instrument is formed. The bow and cord are two different types of materials, but they work together in a wonderful complement of each other. It is the unity of the bow and cord that makes this instrument so effective and useful.
A foundation of love In Ephesians 5 the apostle Paul was inspired by God to write some directives for men and women in marriage. He stated that there was to be love in our relationships (verse 2) and that all people should at times submit to others. He went on to state that the wife was to submit to her husband (verse 22) and the husband was to love his wife as Jesus loves the Church (verse 25).
They were to complement one another and thus provide the basis of a stable environment for children to grow in. Children need almost 20 years of this stability to fully mature. Even after becoming adults, people need the stabilizing influence of their parents and grandparents. That is part of why God made marriage for life -- "until death do us part," as we so often hear in marriage vows. Complementary companions A woman has the ability and capacity to add immeasurably to the success of her marriage, home and even the career of her husband. The man, too, has similar abilities -- but God created them with some differences. Those differences are intended to complement the other just as a cord complements the bow and the bow the cord. It is the harmonious working together that produces the results.
When a man and woman fully realize that God created both of them "in His own image" (Genesis 1:27), it is ludicrous for either one to think less of the other. A woman is no less in the image of God than the man and no less valuable. They are different in many ways, but those ways were carefully designed by God to produce the relationship He intended. The differences allow for the best possible arena for each to grow in character, grace and knowledge unto the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). The relationship demands respect for the other and appreciation of the various differences. Children add greatly to this dimension of growth, but they are not the whole story. In marriage a man and woman are to grow together before children enter the picture and continue to do so after the children are grown. Many people simply do not understand the relationship God intended for a man and a woman. In some societies women are considered of less value and are not treated with the respect and dignity that they, as children of God created in His image, should receive.
"Neither male nor female" No matter what we do, in this life our marriages are temporary. They only last as long as we live. But the effect of our spiritual development through our relationships with our mate and others is the stuff that eternity is made of. God promised a resurrection from the dead -- a time when all people will live once again. Paul wrote about this time in Galatians 3:26-28. He says: "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus...there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." What powerful words. Since this is true, it ought to be obvious that there is no room for discrimination or the concepts of superiority and inferiority. In this life we should understand the differences as God intended -- but realize they were designed for working together. Remember, the bow without the cord is useless, as is the cord without the bow. Recommended reading For more biblical principles for successful relationships, download or request a free copy of . Copyright 2008 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: marriage male and female female and male relationships husband and wife
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