marriage

Marriage

"Then the LORD God said, �It is not good that the man
should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."
Genesis 2:18

Marriage is a covenant, a sacred bond between a man and a woman
instituted by and publicly entered into before God and normally consummated
by sexual intercourse. God's plan for the marriage covenant involves at least
the following five vital principles:

(1) Marriage is intended to be permanent, since it was established by God
{Matthew 19:6; Mark 10:9}. Marriage represents a serious commitment that
should not be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. It involves a solemn promise or
pledge, not merely to one's marriage partner, but before God. Divorce is not
permitted except in a very limited number of biblically prescribed circumstances

(2) Marriage is not merely a human agreement between two consenting individuals
{a "civil union"}; it is a relationship before and under God {Genesis 2:22}. Hence, a
"same-sex marriage" is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. Since Scripture
universally condemns homosexual relationships God will never sanction a marital
bond between two members of the same sex.

(3) Marriage is the most intimate of all human relationships, uniting a man and
a woman in a "one-flesh" union {Genesis 2:23 -25}. Marriage involves "leaving"
one's family of origin and "being united" to one's spouse, which signifies the
establishment of a new family unit distinct from the two originating families. While
"one flesh" suggests sexual intercourse and normally procreation, at its very heart
the concept entails the establishment of a new kinship relationship between two
previously unrelated individuals (and families) by the most intimate of human bonds.

(4) Marriage is a relationship of free self-giving of one human being to another
{Ephesians 5:25-30}. The marriage partners are to be first and foremost
concerned about the wellbeing of the other person and to be committed to each
other in steadfast love and devotion. This involves the need for forgiveness and
restoration of the relationship in the case of sin. Mutuality, however, does not
mean sameness in role. Scripture is clear that wives are to submit to their husbands
and to serve as their "suitable helpers," while husbands are to bear the ultimate
responsibility for the marriage before God {Ephesians 5:22-24; Colossians 3:18; }

(5) Marriage is not only permanent, sacred, intimate, and mutual; it is also exclusive
{Genesis 2:22-25; 1 Corinthians 7:2-5}. This means that no other human relationship
must interfere with the marriage commitment between husband and wife. For this
reason, Jesus treated sexual immorality of a married person, including even a husband's
lustful thoughts, with utmost seriousness {Matthew 5:28; 19:9}. For the same reason,
premarital sex is also illegitimate, since it violates the exclusive claims of one's future
spouse. As the Song of Solomon makes clear, only in the secure context of an
exclusive marital bond can free and complete giving of oneself in marriage take place.

Marriage is a life-long process designed to teach you to see the needs of another
person as more important than your own. It's a difficult transition because it's no
t natural. To think this way requires an intentional shift that can be made only
through the power of God in your life.

The reward, however, is greater than anything you could ever imagine. God's
plan for your marriage is wider and deeper than anything in your wildest,
craziest dreams. May our heavenly Father help you catch this vision as you
chase it into the future.

May the Lord richly bless you!

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