Marriage is a complex social institution, vital to most people's lives, though not everyone is suited to it. God created man and woman in His own image, as seen in Genesis 1:27, establishing that both are equal before Him with the same potential to be transformed into His image and inherit His Kingdom. While equal in potential, men and women differ in mental, physical, and emotional makeup, with unique natural inclinations, skills, and abilities, neither being better than the other. God distributed His qualities between male and female, creating human-level counterparts of His own attributes, though not as excellent as His. This God-like nature implies that relationships, especially marriage, carry a spiritual significance, as both male and female are on the same path to become like God. The union of husband and wife, though equal before God, places the husband in a position of authority as first among equals, highlighting the importance of harmonizing differences to build a stable marriage.

From the beginning, God created man and woman in Their image and likeness to be perfect partners, working together in harmony and peace within their own responsibilities. God called their name Adam, establishing a productive and joyful partnership, mirroring the relationship between the Father and the Word in the God Family. This bond was intended to be without contention or pain, allowing both men and women to grow in a perfect partnership if they stayed the course. Sin, however, entered the picture, bringing a curse that disrupted this harmony. The moment sin emerged, differences became apparent, and physical shame arose, perverting the unity of two distinct beings. God questioned them, asking who told them they were naked, highlighting the immediate impact of their disobedience. Enmity grew not only toward God but also between man and woman, turning what should have been a harmonious relationship into one of conflict. In this world under a curse, the pulls of carnal nature affect every relationship. Yet, through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit working within, there is opportunity to overcome this divisiveness. By submitting to God's law and to one another within their responsibilities, men and women can strive to soften their hearts, changing from stone to flesh. The weight of this curse constantly presses in, attempting to break relationships apart, but through Jesus Christ, there is a path to personally overcome if the focus remains on God-given roles. God pronounces curses, including the enmity between men and women, with the hope of revealing the sons of God. The degradation in relationships is evident, and the whole creation groans under the pain of this curse, awaiting deliverance back to the original intent. Those called into the Body of Christ have the privilege of returning to proper relationships as they were from the beginning, but many are caught in the futility and hopelessness of a divisive world instead of working with Jesus Christ in faith to fulfill God-given responsibilities. In a world marked by violent conflict between men and women, there is an incredible opportunity to work within lives and marriages to diligently fulfill responsibilities with an eye toward the perfect partnership of the Family of God. From the initial creation of Adam, men and women were designed to be in partnership, pleased to live within their God-given roles. Through Jesus Christ, there is potential to live up to being in God's image and likeness, as individuals with distinct talents and responsibilities finding fulfillment only when blended together in full partnership of mutual love and respect under God's perfect law.

God created humanity in His own image, distinctly as male and female, as affirmed in Genesis 1:27. This fundamental distinction of biological sex is an inherent part of human creation, setting a clear boundary that has been challenged by modern redefinitions of gender as a personal or social construct. Such shifts in understanding, where gender becomes a matter of self-representation rather than biological reality, stand in opposition to the created order. This rebellion against the truth of God's design is evident in competitive arenas where biological males, despite treatments like testosterone suppression, retain physical advantages over biological females, rendering competitions unfair. Women athletes face insurmountable challenges against biology, a reality that cannot be altered by treatments or policies. This situation reflects a broader societal departure from the Creator's intent, highlighting a godless trend that denies the unambiguous differences He established.

"Real Men Don't Eat Quiche." Way back in 1982, a little-known author by the name of Bruce Feirstein earned himself a small fortune when he wrote and published a humorous, tongue-in-cheek book with this title. The book deals with stereotypes about masculinity and lists lots of activities that "real men" should not involve themselves in. ...