The Purpose of Marriage
Marriage is exciting. Following the proposal, a whirlwind of planning the perfect wedding, two people “in love” ready to commit themselves to enter marriage for a lifetime. For Christians, this marriage includes God. It is His plan that each person grows together as a kingdom couple to fulfill God’s design and purpose for their marriage. It starts with both wife and husband reflecting God and His image and modeling that reflection within the roles and responsibilities of their union. Read Matt 19:4-6 Jesus said, “…He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave his mother and father, and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be one flesh. Wherefore, they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder. “ For all, marriage is a legally binding covenant between a man and a woman. God honors the institution of marriage for all, even those marriages outside of His covenant. While He judges sin righteously, He does not judge marriage as sin. Heb 13:4 “Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge”. For Christians, we are in covenant with God. To marry we enter into a covenant with God and our mate, in agreement with Him to abide in subjection and obedience to God’s Word in all things and situations. God does not enter into covenant under our terms, nor does He join together those who are not in agreement with His Word. So, it is possible for professing Christians to stand before the religious leader of the church and the congregation, repeat all the prayers and vows, walk down the aisle introduced as husband and wife, and still not be in covenant together as God intended for His people. God looks at the intent of the hearts. The Bible, God’s Word, governs a man from the inside, because it “…is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul [where a couple is joined together] and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).