Genesis Lecture 63 (Helping Spouse and Marriage View)
Bible passage: Genesis 2:18
[18] Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."
This is the 63rd Lecture on Genesis.
Genesis 2:18 says, "Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him."" Then Genesis 2:19-20 describes a scene where Adam gave names to all the living creatures. Genesis 2:21-22 describes the scene when God created the helper suitable for Adam.
To help you understand the latter verses, let me briefly review the Creation works. On the 5th Day, God created fish and birds. On the 6th Day, God created all the animals which could stand with their feet on the ground of the earth. On the same day, God created the first man, Adam. Then, when did God created Eve who was the helper suitable for Adam? It was after He led Adam into the Garden of Eden. God HIMSELF created Adam from the dust of the ground on earth.
Eve was created from the rib which God took from Adam when he was in the Garden of Eden. Even though Adam became a living being, the basic element of which Adam consisted of was the ground from the earth. Therefore, the basic element of Eve, who was created from Adam's rib, was also of the ground from the earth. Before God began the Creation works, He had all the plans beforehand. "What to create, when to create, and how to create" the order of creation and the method of creation were all included in His plan. He had blueprints for all the creatures.
From the very beginning, He already had a plan to create the first man, Adam, from the dust of the ground on the 6th day of Creation. Just as tonight's scripture says, He had a plan from the beginning to create a suitable helper for Adam. This verse also reveals the reason why God wanted to create a helper suitable for Adam. It says that the reason is because "It is not good for the man to be alone." "To make human cultivation take place, Adam must have given birth to his descendants, and thus he obviously needed a female, a woman." Have you ever thought about this?
Just as God created Adam from the dust of the ground, He has the ability to have created countless people from the ground all at once. He could have made human cultivation take place even without allowing for new lives to be born through man and woman. Then, why did God give a helper suitable for a man, and let them multiply and flourish? God knew that this way would set the most proper conditions for human cultivation. It was also the consideration of God the Father out of His love for the souls who would undergo the process of human cultivation. God the Father already knew that it would not be good for a man to be alone. In the very beginning, God the Father existed alone.
For the countless ages that you and I cannot even imagine, He existed alone governing the entire universe. Since God has humanity along with divinity, He understands the loneness when being alone. Let's say, there is an emperor who rules over the whole world. Not only gold and silver, but also everything belongs to this emperor. If this emperor is the only one who exists in the world, what is the use of those gold and silver? How lonely it would most certainly be for him if there is no one who can call out saying "Hail, the Emperor!" or if there is nobody the emperor could share love with! Even though he owns the whole world, if he is alone, it's all useless. To become a true emperor, he should have loving children, loyal subordinates, and subjects as well.
He must have servants ministering to him, and many people he can rule over. God Himself also ruled the entire universe alone for countless ages. Therefore, we should be able to understand the loneness God might have felt. Then, God created Adam according to His image. God knew that Adam would feel lonely if he was left alone just as God Himself was alone. It was because God created Adam resembling not only God's outward appearance, but also God's heart, characteristics, and nature. By the way, the loneliness of being alone disappears when there is someone together with whom you can share your heart. And thus, God wanted to find true children through human cultivation.
For the same reason, God wanted to create a helper suitable for Adam. It was a gift for Adam. God wanted to give Adam a helper who was suitable for him. Out of God the Father's mercy, kindness, and love for souls, a woman was created as a helper suitable for a man. God is love itself. God HIMSELF is love. God earnestly wanted someone with whom He could share His love. When love is overflowing in your heart, you also try to share the love with the people around you my all means, don't you?
Not to mention God, who Himself is love! God could have been alone forever, but to find those with whom He could share His overflowing love, He planned for human cultivation. He knew what kind of pain and agony would follow during the human cultivation, He began human cultivation with an earnest hope only for getting true children. And He created the first man, Adam, in accordance with His own image. Adam also had the overflowing love like that of God. And again, God knew that Adam would need someone Adam could share his overflowing love with. Since God knew all this, God gave Adam a woman as a helper suitable for Adam and allowed them to share their love with each other.
Of course, men and women are necessary to give birth to Adam's descendants for human cultivation to take place. However, the reason God created woman was not only to acquire descendants. God created woman as a helper suitable for a man. The role of a helper is to have conversation with each other, to comfort each other, and to share love with each other. God gave a helper to have a beautiful relationship of understanding and helping each other only in the spiritual love that belongs to God. This is the relationship of husband and wife that God desires of them. However, after Adam committed sin and the flesh entered into men, the relationship between husband and wife also changed into fleshly relationship.
Their fervent first love cools down. They seek for their own benefit. They stick to their own opinion, and wants the other to follow it. Then, arguments develop and discord arises; they even hate each other and become enemies. In addition, lust sneaked into men, all kinds of sexual immorality, sensuality, and adultery came into being; people also ran into dissipation. As the end of human cultivation comes nearer, sin becomes more rampant in the world, and the relationship between husband and wife has also been distorted and destroyed from the original intention of God. Furthermore, the end time is not a time for being fruitful and multiplying; it is a time to adorn yourself as a spiritual bride while waiting for the Lord's coming.
That's why it is written that 'it is better not to get married' in many parts of the New Testament. Let me tell you about the 'Biblical View on Marriage' which is necessary for Christians of this end time. I once explained in great detail about this subject on August 2nd and 9th of 2009 and so I will just briefly review it. The clear will of God regarding marriage is written in 1 Corinthians 7:7. It says, "Yet I (Apostle Paul) wish that all men were even as I myself am." That said, Apostle Paul wished that all men would not marry but be given to the Lord." Then he continued to say in 1 Corinthians 7:26, "I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is." Unlike the Old Testament times, the New Testament times have been a time of distress since Jesus came down.
That is to say that all the believers should have their focus of their lives on the Lord who is coming again as the day is nearer and nearer. Actually, the apostle Paul lived only for the Lord without getting married. That is why he could freely go everywhere to preach the gospel without being bound to anyone or anything. You should not misunderstand, though. I'm not saying, "You could freely get married in the Old Testament days, but now in these New Testament days you cannot since the Lord's coming is near." Whether in the Old Testament or New Testament times, it is all right to get married in the Lord, but it is more blessed to live only for the Lord without getting married. Many people think it's natural to get married, but the Bible doesn't necessarily teach that is the case. Those of you who haven't carefully read the Bible, or those of you who are attending this service via media broadcast might feel that this message is somewhat odd. However, it is not my word, but it is the word of God written in the Bible.
It is the will of God which Apostle Paul wrote in the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In fact, few pastors of today would deliver this kind of message. The reason is because, in reality, there aren't many Christians who love the Lord to the extent they are able to accept and practice this message's contents. And so, Matthew 19:11-12 says, "But He said to them, "Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it." 'Eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven' refer to those who dedicate themselves remaining single just as Apostle Paul did. It is the most blessed way for the believers only if they can choose to remain single. But the fact is that not everybody can receive and accept this word.
If you do not have all your hope only in New Jerusalem or if you cannot live only for God, then you might find it difficult to listen to this message. If you are filled with the hope of New Jerusalem, long for holiness by faith, however, you will certainly be able to receive this word. As Jesus said, "He who is able to accept this, let him accept it," you can accept this word with joy, and choose the more blessed way. You clearly learned about the kingdom of heaven and earnestly long for New Jerusalem. You will never spare anything precious in this world if you can just exchange it for New Jerusalem. Actually, many Manmin members have chosen this way. Of course, I'm not saying you should carelessly make a vow that you would offer your whole life to the Lord without getting married. If you can keep a vow, it is such a great blessing.
But if you change your mind and do not keep it, it will only bring great trials to you. Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 says, "When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools Pay what you vow! It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?" If you don't have the confidence about your heart, it is more important to possess a sincere heart in full assurance of faith as you pray with a longing heart, rather than making a careless vow. Why does the Bible say it is better not to get married? The first reason is that, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 7:28, marriage will bring upon you the "trouble in this life." 1 Corinthians 7:28 says, "But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.
Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you." When daughters get married, their parents cannot be at ease. They miss their daughters, and they worry whether or not their daughters can be loved by her husband or in-laws, and whether their daughters have some hardships. Just like these parents who send their daughters off for marriage, Apostle Paul cared for the believers. He was worried about the troubles of marriage, and thus he suggested it be better for them not to get married. The second reason why not getting married is better is because your heart will be divided if you get married.
What God wants the most from His children is their heart to love God first. Matthew 22:37 says, "And He said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'" Those who love God with all their heart, mind, soul, might, wisdom, and with all their life are the true children that God wants to acquire. If you remain single because you love the Lord, then you will probably try to fill your heart with the hope for Heaven thinking only about God. On the other hand however, once you get married, your heart will be divided. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 says, "But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided.
The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband." In real life, some people used to lead a diligent believing life before getting married, but after they get married, they change. They get stained by fleshly life and stop praying. Then they begin to take the worldly things one by one to bring upon themselves trials. Even though their faith might not change this much, it would certainly be different before and after the marriage. Before the marriage, they can always focus on the works of the Lord. They can freely work for the Lord even in the early morning or late at night.
After marriage, however, they are bound to the family. If they seek the benefit of their spouse and let their spouse work for the Lord freely, it's a relatively better case. No matter how considerate your spouse is, however, the husband basically has the duty to support his family. And the wife has the responsibility to serve her husband and family. Neither they can rest just anytime as they please; nor can they work for God as much as they please. They have to consider the situation of the family. Before marriage, they could refresh themselves as much as they want or they could freely do the work for God during holidays or vacation. But now, they have to take care of their family.
As a wife, as a husband, as a daughter-in-law or as a son-in-law, they should take care of the family of their spouse as well. Likewise, once people get married, their hearts get divided. Not to mention their finances and their time! I'm not saying it's wrong to take care of your family. You should certainly take the responsibility for each other, and you should obviously care for your family. This is the way to be 'faithful in all God's house.' The point is, if you can choose, and if you choose the way to offer such time. Money, and effort to God, how much will it be more beneficial in a spiritual sense? I said it's a better case if both the husband and wife have good faith to share spiritual love together. They will support each other to pray more and to store up more rewards so that they can go to New Jerusalem. Both of them can become good friends in faith, and compete with one another in running the race of faith.
In real life, however, it is not a common case. Besides, if both of them accomplished this kind of faith, they would be satisfied only with the Lord, and they wouldn't feel the need to get married in the first place. I am not saying, "Do not marry," or "You should not get married." I'm explaining the biblical view on Marriage that you should understand as you live the end time. I'm just explaining what is more beneficial for those who have faith and hope for Heaven. Those who have already married; you can support each other to go into better heavenly dwelling places, and you can cultivate spiritual love. I will tell you about the ideal model of husband and wife that God wants as we get to Genesis 2:21 which begins to describe how God created woman. In the next lecture, I will explain how God created animals. You can see that, in some parts of the Bible, 'God created with His word,' but in other parts, 'God created from the dust of the ground.' Now, when were the animals and plants in the Garden of Eden created? And how different are they from the animals and plants of the earth? I will explain about them all in the next lecture.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. In this lecture, I explained that God showed His will to give a helper suitable for Adam. Since God knew how good it is to have someone to share love with, God gave Adam a helper who was suitable for him. The ultimate reason God did was because God Himself also earnestly wanted to have someone with whom He could share true love. Through the process of human cultivation, God wanted to find true children who would accomplish true and spiritual love and love God more than anything. Therefore, the first priority of life for those who live in this end time should be to accomplish the spiritual and holy heart that resembles the heart of God the Father who is Spirit Himself. I will conclude this message as I tell you where we are at. As I explained in Genesis Chapter 1, the earth was created first, and after quite a long time passed by, there was the 6 Day work of Creation. Adam was created on the 6th day, and he spent countless ages in the Garden of Eden.
As Adam was driven out to the earth after committing sin, human cultivation began. God set 6,000 years as the period of time for human cultivation Now, scientists say the earth is 4.5 billion years old. Under the assumption that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, if you calculate 4.5 billion years as one year, the 6,000 years of human cultivation can be calculated to be approximately 4 hours 17 minutes and 30 seconds. Therefore, if the earth had been created on the first day of January, then human cultivation would have started at 7:42:30 p.m. on December 31. As we run toward the end of the human cultivation, it's already bypassed 11:59:59 p.m. on December 31. Not even just a single second is left for the Lord's coming in the air.
This is where we are at now. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." May you consider the rest of the time as an opportunity you would never get again in your life, and focus on coming into the spirit and whole spirit, in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray!
Mafundisho ya Mwanzo 63 | Msaidizi wa Kumfaa na Mtazamo wa Ndoa
Andiko la Biblia: Mwanzo 2:18
“[18] Bwana Mungu akasema, Si vema huyo mtu awe peke yake, nitamfanyia msaidizi wa kumfaa.”
Hili ni somo la 63 katika mafundisho ya Mwanzo.
Mwanzo 2:18 inasema, “Bwana Mungu akasema, Si vema huyo mtu awe peke yake, nitamfanyia msaidizi wa kumfaa.” Kisha Mwanzo 2:19–20 inaeleza jinsi Adamu alivyowapa majina viumbe hai wote. Mwanzo 2:21–22 inaeleza Mungu alipomuumba msaidizi aliyemfaa Adamu.
Ili kuelewa mistari hiyo ya baadaye, tuangalie kwa ufupi kazi ya uumbaji. Siku ya tano Mungu aliumba samaki na ndege. Siku ya sita aliumba wanyama wote wanaoweza kusimama kwa miguu yao juu ya ardhi. Siku hiyo hiyo alimuumba mwanadamu wa kwanza, Adamu. Basi Mungu alimuumba Hawa, msaidizi wa kumfaa Adamu, lini? Ilikuwa baada ya kumwongoza Adamu kuingia katika Bustani ya Edeni. Mungu mwenyewe alimfanyiza Adamu kutoka katika mavumbi ya ardhi duniani.
Hawa aliumbwa kwa ubavu ambao Mungu alimchukua Adamu alipokuwa katika Bustani ya Edeni. Ingawa Adamu alikuwa kiumbe hai, sehemu ya msingi aliyoumbwa nayo ilikuwa ardhi ya dunia. Kwa hiyo sehemu ya msingi ya Hawa, aliyeumbwa kwa ubavu wa Adamu, pia ilitokana na ardhi ya dunia. Kabla Mungu hajaanza kazi ya uumbaji, alikuwa tayari na mipango yote. “Aumbe nini, lini na kwa namna gani,” pamoja na mpangilio na njia ya uumbaji, vyote vilikuwa katika mpango wake. Alikuwa na ramani za viumbe vyote.
Tangu mwanzo alikuwa amepanga kumuumba Adamu, mwanadamu wa kwanza, kwa mavumbi ya ardhi siku ya sita ya uumbaji. Kama andiko la leo linavyosema, tangu mwanzo alipanga kumuumba msaidizi anayemfaa Adamu. Mstari huu pia unaonyesha sababu ya kutaka kumpa Adamu msaidizi anayemfaa: “Si vema huyo mtu awe peke yake.” Ili malezi ya wanadamu yatokee, Adamu alipaswa kuzaa wazao, kwa hiyo bila shaka alihitaji mwanamke. Je, mmewahi kufikiria jambo hili?
Kama Mungu alivyoweza kumuumba Adamu kutoka mavumbini, angeweza kuwaumba watu wengi sana kutoka ardhini mara moja. Angeweza kuendeleza malezi ya wanadamu bila kuruhusu maisha mapya kuzaliwa kwa njia ya mwanamume na mwanamke. Basi kwa nini alimpa mwanamume msaidizi anayemfaa na kuwaacha wazaliane na kuongezeka? Mungu alijua kwamba njia hii ingeweka mazingira yanayofaa zaidi kwa malezi ya wanadamu. Pia ilikuwa fikira ya Mungu Baba, iliyotokana na upendo wake kwa roho ambazo zingepitia malezi hayo. Mungu Baba alijua tangu mwanzo kwamba haingekuwa vizuri mwanadamu awe peke yake. Hapo mwanzo kabisa, Mungu Baba aliishi peke yake.
Kwa nyakati zisizohesabika ambazo mimi na wewe hatuwezi hata kufikiria, aliishi peke yake akiutawala ulimwengu wote. Kwa kuwa Mungu ana ubinadamu pamoja na uungu, anaelewa upweke wa kuwa peke yako. Tuseme kuna mfalme anayetawala dunia nzima. Kila kitu ni chake, si dhahabu na fedha tu. Kama angekuwa ndiye pekee anayeishi duniani, dhahabu na fedha zingemfaidia nini? Angekuwa mpweke sana kama kusingekuwa na mtu wa kusema, “Uishi milele, Ee Mfalme!” au mtu wa kushiriki naye upendo. Hata kama anamiliki dunia nzima, kuwa peke yake kungefanya yote yawe bure. Ili awe mfalme wa kweli, anahitaji watoto anaowapenda, watumishi waaminifu na raia.
Anahitaji watumishi wanaomhudumia na watu wengi wa kuwaongoza. Mungu mwenyewe aliutawala ulimwengu wote peke yake kwa nyakati nyingi sana. Kwa hiyo tunapaswa kuweza kuelewa upweke ambao huenda Mungu aliuhisi. Kisha Mungu akamuumba Adamu kwa mfano wake. Alijua kwamba Adamu angehisi upweke akiachwa peke yake, kama Mungu mwenyewe alivyokuwa peke yake. Mungu hakumfanya Adamu afanane naye kwa sura ya nje tu, bali pia kwa moyo, sifa na tabia. Upweke wa kuwa peke yako huondoka unapokuwa na mtu wa kushiriki naye moyo wako. Kwa hiyo Mungu alitaka kupata watoto wa kweli kupitia malezi ya wanadamu.
Kwa sababu hiyo hiyo, Mungu alitaka kumuumba msaidizi anayemfaa Adamu. Alikuwa zawadi kwa Adamu. Mungu alitaka kumpa Adamu msaidizi aliyemfaa. Kwa rehema, wema na upendo wa Mungu Baba kwa roho, mwanamke aliumbwa kuwa msaidizi anayemfaa mwanamume. Mungu ni upendo wenyewe; Mungu mwenyewe ni upendo. Alitamani sana kuwa na mtu wa kushiriki naye upendo wake. Upendo unapofurika moyoni mwako, nawe hujitahidi kuushiriki na watu wanaokuzunguka, sivyo?
Hilo ni kweli zaidi kwa Mungu, ambaye mwenyewe ni upendo! Mungu angeweza kubaki peke yake milele, lakini ili apate wale ambao angeshiriki nao upendo wake mwingi, alipanga malezi ya wanadamu. Alijua maumivu na mateso ambayo yangetokea katika malezi hayo, lakini akaanza malezi ya wanadamu akiwa na tumaini la dhati la kupata watoto wa kweli. Akamuumba Adamu wa kwanza kwa mfano wake mwenyewe. Adamu pia alikuwa na upendo mwingi kama wa Mungu. Mungu alijua kwamba Adamu angehitaji mtu wa kushiriki naye upendo huo. Kwa kuwa alijua haya yote, alimpa Adamu mwanamke awe msaidizi anayemfaa na akawawezesha kushiriki upendo wao.
Bila shaka, mwanamume na mwanamke wanahitajika ili kuzaa wazao wa Adamu kwa ajili ya malezi ya wanadamu. Lakini sababu ya Mungu kumuumba mwanamke haikuwa kupata wazao tu. Alimuumba awe msaidizi anayemfaa mwanamume. Jukumu la msaidizi ni kuzungumza pamoja, kufarijiana na kushiriki upendo. Mungu alitoa msaidizi ili wawe na uhusiano mzuri wa kuelewana na kusaidiana katika upendo wa kiroho tu, ule utokao kwa Mungu. Huo ndio uhusiano wa mume na mke ambao Mungu anautaka. Hata hivyo, baada ya Adamu kutenda dhambi na mwili kuingia ndani ya wanadamu, uhusiano wa mume na mke pia ukawa wa kimwili.
Upendo wao wa kwanza na wa dhati hupoa. Kila mmoja hutafuta faida yake, hushikilia maoni yake na kutaka mwenzake ayafuate. Kisha mabishano na migogoro hutokea; wanaweza hata kuchukiana na kuwa maadui. Zaidi ya hayo, tamaa ilipoingia kwa wanadamu, ukahaba, uasherati na uzinzi wa kila aina vikatokea, na watu wakajitosa katika maisha ya anasa. Kadiri mwisho wa malezi ya wanadamu unavyokaribia, dhambi inaongezeka duniani na uhusiano wa mume na mke umepotoshwa na kuharibiwa, mbali na kusudi la awali la Mungu. Zaidi ya hayo, wakati wa mwisho si wakati wa kuzaa na kuongezeka, bali ni wakati wa kujipamba kama bibi-arusi wa kiroho huku tukingojea kuja kwa Bwana.
Ndiyo maana sehemu nyingi za Agano Jipya zinasema kwamba “ni afadhali mtu asioe.” Niwaeleze “mtazamo wa Biblia kuhusu ndoa,” ambao Wakristo wa wakati huu wa mwisho wanahitaji kuuelewa. Nilieleza jambo hili kwa kina tarehe 2 na 9 Agosti 2009, kwa hiyo sasa nitalipitia kwa ufupi. Mapenzi ya Mungu kuhusu ndoa yameandikwa wazi katika 1 Wakorintho 7:7. Inasema, “Lakini napenda watu wote wawe kama mimi nilivyo.” Yaani mtume Paulo alitamani watu wote wasioe bali wajitoe kwa Bwana. Kisha 1 Wakorintho 7:26 inasema, “Basi, naona ya kuwa ni vizuri kwa sababu ya shida iliyopo, mtu akae kama alivyo.” Tofauti na nyakati za Agano la Kale, nyakati za Agano Jipya zimekuwa wakati wa dhiki tangu Yesu alipokuja duniani.
Maana yake ni kwamba waumini wote wanapaswa kuelekeza maisha yao kwa Bwana anayekuja tena, kadiri siku hiyo inavyokaribia. Mtume Paulo aliishi kwa ajili ya Bwana pekee bila kuoa. Ndiyo maana aliweza kwenda kila mahali kuhubiri Injili kwa uhuru, bila kufungwa na mtu au jambo lolote. Hata hivyo, msielewe vibaya. Sisemi kwamba watu wangeweza kuoa kwa uhuru katika Agano la Kale lakini hawawezi katika Agano Jipya kwa sababu kuja kwa Bwana kumekaribia. Katika nyakati zote mbili ni sawa kuoa katika Bwana, lakini ni baraka zaidi kuishi kwa ajili ya Bwana pekee bila kuoa. Watu wengi hudhani kuoa ni jambo la kawaida kwa kila mtu, lakini Biblia haisemi kwamba lazima iwe hivyo. Wale ambao hawajaisoma Biblia kwa makini au wanaofuatilia ibada hii kupitia matangazo ya vyombo vya habari huenda wakaona ujumbe huu kuwa wa ajabu. Hata hivyo, si maneno yangu; ni Neno la Mungu lililoandikwa katika Biblia.
Haya ni mapenzi ya Mungu ambayo Paulo aliandika kwa uvuvio wa Roho Mtakatifu. Kwa kweli, wachungaji wachache leo huhubiri ujumbe wa namna hii. Sababu ni kwamba Wakristo wengi hawawezi kumpenda Bwana kiasi cha kukubali na kutenda yale yaliyomo katika ujumbe huu. Mathayo 19:11–12 inasema, “Lakini yeye akawaambia, Si wote wawezao kulipokea neno hili, ila wale waliojaliwa. Maana wako matowashi waliozaliwa hali hiyo toka matumbo ya mama zao; tena wako matowashi waliofanywa matowashi na watu; tena wako matowashi waliojitowesha kwa ajili ya ufalme wa mbinguni. Awezaye kulipokea neno hili, na alipokee.” “Matowashi kwa ajili ya ufalme wa mbinguni” ni wale wanaojitoa na kubaki bila kuoa kama mtume Paulo. Kubaki bila kuoa ni njia yenye baraka zaidi kwa waumini ikiwa wanaweza kuichagua. Lakini si kila mtu anayeweza kupokea na kukubali Neno hili.
Kama huna tumaini lako lote katika Yerusalemu Mpya au huwezi kuishi kwa ajili ya Mungu pekee, huenda ukapata ugumu kuusikiliza ujumbe huu. Lakini ikiwa umejaa tumaini la Yerusalemu Mpya na unatamani utakatifu kwa imani, hakika utaweza kulipokea Neno hili. Kama Yesu alivyosema, “Awezaye kulipokea neno hili, na alipokee,” unaweza kulipokea kwa furaha na kuchagua njia yenye baraka zaidi. Umejifunza wazi kuhusu ufalme wa mbinguni na unatamani kwa dhati Yerusalemu Mpya. Hutasita kuacha kitu chochote cha thamani duniani ikiwa unaweza kukibadilisha na Yerusalemu Mpya. Kwa kweli, washiriki wengi wa Manmin wamechagua njia hii. Bila shaka, sisemi kwamba utoe nadhiri bila kufikiri kwamba utatoa maisha yako yote kwa Bwana bila kuoa. Ukiweza kutimiza nadhiri hiyo, ni baraka kubwa sana.
Lakini ukibadili nia na usiitimize, itakuletea majaribu makubwa tu. Mhubiri 5:4–6 inasema, “Umwekeapo Mungu nadhiri, usikawie kuitimiza; maana yeye hapendezwi na wapumbavu; timiza nadhiri yako. Ni afadhali usiweke nadhiri kuliko kuiweka usiitimize. Usikiache kinywa chako kikakukosesha; wala usimwambie malaika ya kwamba ni kosa; mbona Mungu akasirike kwa sababu ya sauti yako, na kuiharibu kazi ya mikono yako?” Kama huna hakika kuhusu moyo wako, ni muhimu zaidi kuwa na moyo wa kweli uliojaa uhakika wa imani unapoomba kwa hamu, kuliko kuweka nadhiri bila kufikiri. Kwa nini Biblia inasema ni afadhali kutooa? Sababu ya kwanza ni kwamba, kama 1 Wakorintho 7:28 inavyosema, ndoa italeta “dhiki katika mwili.” Inasema, “Lakini, kama ukioa, hufanyi dhambi; na msichana akiolewa, hafanyi dhambi.”
“Lakini watu kama hao watakuwa na dhiki za mwili; nami nawahurumia.” Binti wanapoolewa, wazazi wao hawawezi kuwa na utulivu. Huwakosa na huwa na wasiwasi kama waume au wakwe zao watawapenda au kama watapitia magumu. Kama wazazi wanaowaaga binti zao wanapoolewa, mtume Paulo aliwajali waumini. Alikuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu dhiki za ndoa, kwa hiyo akashauri kwamba ni afadhali wasioe. Sababu ya pili inayofanya kutooa kuwa afadhali ni kwamba moyo hugawanyika mtu akioa.
Mungu anachotaka zaidi kutoka kwa watoto wake ni mioyo yao kumpenda kwanza. Mathayo 22:37 inasema, “Mpende Bwana Mungu wako kwa moyo wako wote, na kwa roho yako yote, na kwa akili zako zote.” Wale wanaompenda Mungu kwa moyo, akili, nafsi, nguvu, hekima na maisha yao yote ndio watoto wa kweli ambao Mungu anatamani kupata. Mtu akibaki bila kuoa kwa sababu ya kumpenda Bwana, huenda akajaza moyo wake tumaini la mbinguni na kumfikiria Mungu pekee. Lakini mtu akioa, moyo wake utagawanyika. 1 Wakorintho 7:32–34 inasema, “Nami nataka msiwe na masumbufu. Yeye asiyeoa hujishughulisha na mambo ya Bwana, jinsi ampendezavyo Bwana; bali yeye aliyeoa hujishughulisha na mambo ya dunia hii, jinsi atakavyompendeza mkewe, tena amepata mashaka.”
“Tena iko tofauti hii kati ya mke na mwanamwali. Yeye asiyeolewa hujishughulisha na mambo ya Bwana, awe mtakatifu mwili na roho; bali yeye aliyeolewa hujishughulisha na mambo ya dunia hii, jinsi atakavyompendeza mumewe.” Kwa kweli, watu wengine waliishi maisha ya bidii ya imani kabla ya kuoana, lakini hubadilika baada ya ndoa. Huchafuliwa na maisha ya mwili na kuacha kuomba. Kisha huanza kuchukua mambo ya dunia moja baada ya jingine na kujiletea majaribu. Hata kama imani yao haibadiliki sana, maisha yao kabla na baada ya ndoa hutofautiana. Kabla ya ndoa wanaweza kukazia kazi ya Bwana kila wakati na kumtumikia kwa uhuru asubuhi na mapema au usiku wa manane.
Baada ya ndoa, hata hivyo, hufungwa na familia. Ikiwa kila mmoja anatafuta mema ya mwenzi wake na kumruhusu amtumikie Bwana kwa uhuru, hali hiyo ni afadhali kwa kiasi fulani. Hata mwenzi wako awe mwenye kujali kiasi gani, kimsingi mume ana wajibu wa kuitunza familia yake na mke ana jukumu la kumhudumia mume na familia. Hakuna anayeweza kupumzika wakati wowote anaotaka wala kufanya kazi ya Mungu kadiri anavyotaka; lazima wazingatie hali ya familia. Kabla ya ndoa wangeweza kupumzika na kujiburudisha kadiri walivyohitaji au kufanya kazi ya Mungu kwa uhuru siku za mapumziko na likizo. Sasa wanapaswa kuitunza familia yao.
Kama mke, mume, mkwe wa kike au mkwe wa kiume, wanapaswa kuitunza pia familia ya mwenzi wao. Hivyo mtu akioa moyo wake hugawanyika, bila kutaja fedha na muda wake! Sisemi kwamba ni vibaya kuitunza familia yako. Hakika mnapaswa kuwajibikiana na kuitunza familia yenu. Hivyo ndivyo kuwa “waaminifu katika nyumba yote ya Mungu” kunavyomaanisha. Jambo kuu ni kwamba, ikiwa unaweza kuchagua kumtolea Mungu muda, fedha na juhudi zako, hilo lina faida kubwa kiasi gani kiroho? Nilisema hali ni bora zaidi ikiwa mume na mke wote wana imani nzuri na wanashiriki upendo wa kiroho. Watasaidiana kuomba zaidi na kuweka akiba ya thawabu ili waingie Yerusalemu Mpya. Wanaweza kuwa marafiki wazuri katika imani na kushindana katika mbio za imani.
Hata hivyo, hali hiyo si ya kawaida. Zaidi ya hayo, kama wote wawili wangetimiza imani hiyo, wangeridhika na Bwana pekee na wasingehisi haja ya kuoana. Sisemi, “Msiowe,” wala “Hupaswi kuoa.” Ninaeleza mtazamo wa Biblia kuhusu ndoa mnapaswa kuuelewa mnapoishi katika wakati huu wa mwisho. Ninaeleza tu lililo na faida zaidi kwa wale walio na imani na tumaini la mbinguni. Ninyi ambao tayari mmeoana mnaweza kusaidiana kuingia katika makao bora zaidi ya mbinguni na kukuza upendo wa kiroho. Nitawaeleza mfano bora wa mume na mke anaoutaka Mungu tutakapofika Mwanzo 2:21, unaoanza kueleza jinsi Mungu alivyomuumba mwanamke. Katika somo lijalo nitaeleza jinsi Mungu alivyoumba wanyama. Biblia inasema sehemu nyingine kwamba “Mungu aliumba kwa Neno lake,” na sehemu nyingine kwamba “Mungu aliumba kutoka mavumbini.” Basi wanyama na mimea ya Bustani ya Edeni waliumbwaje? Wanatofautianaje na wale wa duniani? Nitaeleza yote katika somo lijalo.
Ndugu wapendwa katika Kristo, katika somo hili nimeeleza kwamba Mungu alionyesha mapenzi yake ya kumpa Adamu msaidizi anayemfaa. Kwa kuwa Mungu alijua uzuri wa kuwa na mtu wa kushiriki naye upendo, alimpa Adamu msaidizi aliyemfaa. Sababu kuu ya kufanya hivyo ni kwamba Mungu mwenyewe alitamani sana kuwa na mtu wa kushiriki naye upendo wa kweli. Kupitia malezi ya wanadamu, alitaka kupata watoto wa kweli watakaotimiza upendo wa kweli wa kiroho na kumpenda Mungu kuliko kitu chochote. Kwa hiyo, jambo la kwanza maishani kwa wanaoishi katika wakati huu wa mwisho linapaswa kuwa kutimiza moyo mtakatifu wa kiroho unaofanana na moyo wa Mungu Baba, ambaye mwenyewe ni Roho. Nitahitimisha kwa kuwaeleza tulipofikia katika kipindi hiki. Kama nilivyoeleza katika Mwanzo sura ya 1, dunia iliumbwa kwanza, kisha baada ya muda mrefu ikafuata kazi ya Uumbaji wa Siku Sita. Adamu aliumbwa siku ya sita na akaishi kwa nyakati zisizohesabika katika Bustani ya Edeni.
Adamu alipofukuzwa duniani baada ya kutenda dhambi, malezi ya wanadamu yakaanza. Mungu aliweka miaka 6,000 kuwa kipindi cha malezi hayo. Sasa wanasayansi wanasema dunia ina umri wa miaka bilioni 4.5. Tukidhani dunia ina umri huo na kuhesabu muda huo kuwa mwaka mmoja, miaka 6,000 ya malezi ya wanadamu ni takriban saa 4, dakika 17 na sekunde 30. Kwa hiyo kama dunia ingeumbwa siku ya kwanza ya Januari, malezi ya wanadamu yangeanza saa 7:42:30 usiku tarehe 31 Desemba. Tunapokimbilia mwisho wa malezi hayo, tayari tumepita saa 11:59:59 usiku wa tarehe 31 Desemba. Hata sekunde moja haijabaki kabla Bwana hajaja mawinguni.
Hapo ndipo tulipo sasa. Waefeso 5:15–16 inasema, “Basi angalieni sana jinsi mnavyoenenda; si kama watu wasio na hekima, bali kama watu wenye hekima; mkiukomboa wakati, kwa maana zamani hizi ni za uovu.” Ninaomba, katika jina la Bwana Yesu Kristo, muuchukulie wakati uliobaki kuwa nafasi ambayo hamtapata tena maishani, na mkazie macho kuingia katika roho na roho kamili!
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