by Pastor James Kimathi
4th May 2025
A fortress is a stronghold that cannot be accessed when the enemy comes. Examples of fortresses are the Church and the family. Family is a pivotal foundational fortress, as God instituted the family as the basic foundational unit. In this case, securing the fortress refers to securing the family. A family is a group of one or more parents living as a unit. Biblically, it is not a must for children to exist, but ideally, children are included. Thus, the ideal definition of a family is descendants from a common patriarch or a group of related things or people.
Keywords/Themes
- Marriage: “The relationship between a husband and a wife”
- Parenthood: “How do we parent or raise children?”
- Childhood/Sonship
- Assignment: “Redemption assignment.” Understand why this family exists. For instance, when marriage reduces to who is bringing and who is not bringing what, the couple loses it. That is why many people enter into marriage and start growing apart. It is paramount for the children to understand why the family exists, the guidelines, and the purpose of the family.
- Legacy: It is a footprint in the earth’s realm. Every family should leave a mark, whether good or bad. A legacy is, therefore, a good name left for the future generation.
THEME 1: MARRIAGE
Ephesians 5:22 and 6:4 show that Apostle Paul presses the matter of marriage because he realizes that the fortress called family is significant. For instance, the Church cannot have power against the gates of families, so families should support the Church. If our family life is weak, we cannot stand firm and overcome our warfare.
Marriage is the legally and formally recognized union of a man and a woman as partners in a personal relationship. Marriage is a covenant, also a solemn and binding agreement that bids a man and a woman, signifying a lifetime commitment to each other with a focus on enduring love. The world defines marriage as a mere agreement or partnership between a man and a woman, but as Christians, we understand that marriage is a covenant and, thus, not just a partnership or an agreement. It is important to note that covenants do not have an exit strategy because they cement the people involved. It is impossible to restore the factory settings; thus, once you have entered the marriage covenant, you can never be alone.
The Place of Marriage in the Scripture
- The place of marriage is at the beginning of God and the end. Firstly, it is essential to understand that in a marriage covenant, 1+1=1: The one was lost long ago and was buried. That is why the two become one. In this case, to define marriage, we should go to ‘the beginning.’ We cannot form our attitude toward marriage based on contemporary perceptions. Thus, we should ask ourselves, “What is the place of marriage as envisioned by the author of marriage?” Marriage is very pivotal and cannot be separated from the scripture. God created marriage, and He is the author of marriage. The blessings of man to have dominion did not come from a single man. In Genesis 7:27, God calls man “Him,” a union of “Them.” Therefore, marriage portrays wholeness in the eyes of God.
- Marriage is a symbol that defines God’s relationship with the Church. Biblical marriages should always work because failing them insults the Kingdom of God. Therefore, Christians must keep their marriages to strengthen their testimony. In marriage, unity, and fruitfulness should be strong enough to testify against the enemy.
- God declares marriage honourable. Hebrews 13:4 states, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Notably, what one does as a young person affects marriage. For instance, if a young person has been fornicating, they have been cheating on their partners before meeting them. It is also important to note that people adapt to their first sexual engagement. If they have been fornicating, they have stolen their vitality and virtue, and as such, they need God’s grace to enter kingdom marriage. In the spiritual realm, there should be disconnections from other beds. There must be young people with vitality who have nothing to fear as they enter the marriage gates.
The Scriptural Definition of Marriage
Marriage is God’s idea. In Genesis 2, God initiated marriage. Therefore, one should be authorized to enter into marriage. You cannot enter marriage ambiguously or intuitionally. This is because marriage is not what you put together or join, but what God has joined together. And thus, whatever God has put together, let no one put asunder or separate. God joins man and woman together and says it is not good for a man to be alone, thus bringing the woman to the man. Any marriage union is not authenticated by time or children. Therefore, it is essential to note that the fact that you got a child out of wedlock does not make you into a marriage, but it makes you a fornicator.
God delegates the marriage authority to three parties:
- Parents: Parents bless their offspring into marriage. However, for the marriage to be legal before God, they should enter into supplication.
- Government: As a citizen, one can go to the government and get married. However, this lacks the recognition of the authority of the parents and recognition of the authority of the Church. It fails in sanctification and is prone to infiltration in many dimensions because it is not fully consecrated.
- Church: The Church is Christ’s authority on earth. It is the institution that is mandated to represent Christ on earth. It is at this level that all three are fulfilled. The Church cannot join you without the government’s recognition and the parents’ permission. On solemnization day, the Church affirms, agrees, and commissions you into the marriage institution. Importantly, any relationship not ascribed to the three levels is an illegitimate association.
