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THE
MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIP “A But what does the Bible say about
marriage? Marriage is a LAWFUL
relationship. Some relationships are unlawful. But marriage is lawful. The writer to the Hebrews said, “Let marriage
be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will
judge the sexually immoral and adulterous” (Hebrews 13:4 ESV). In fact, God himself instituted marriage. Jesus said that God who “created them from
the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave
his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one
flesh'” (Matthew 19:4-5 ESV). A traditional wedding ceremony begins, “Dearly beloved, we
are gathered together here in the presence of God, and in the face of this
congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which
is an honorable estate, instituted by God…”2 Notice those words, “an honorable estate,
instituted by God.” The Bible certainly
supports those words. Instituted by God himself, marriage is a lawful
relationship. Marriage is a LOVING
relationship. Wives are to love their husbands. Paul wrote that older women are to “train the
young women to love their husbands” (Titus 2:4 ESV). And husbands are to love their wives. Paul also wrote, “Husbands, love your wives,
and do not be harsh with them” (Col. 3:19 ESV). Harold Lindsell noted, “Well spoken are the words of an
ancient interpreter: that Eve was not made out of Adam’s head to rule over him,
nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal
with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved.”
3 God himself exemplifies a loving marriage relationship by
his loving relationship with the church.
Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and
gave himself up for her…. In the same way husbands should love their wives as
their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but
nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members
of his body” ” (Eph 5:25-30 ESV). Exemplified by God himself, marriage is a loving
relationship. Marriage is a LASTING
relationship. As of 2003, television host Dr. Phil McGraw was saying that
57.7 percent of marriages were ending in divorce. 4 It seems that many people do not take seriously the words
they say in their wedding ceremonies: “to have and to hold from this day
forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.” 2 Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let not
man separate. … And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual
immorality, and marries another, commits adultery’” (Matthew 19:6-9 ESV). This comes from the first book in the New Testament. And the book right before it, the last book
in the Old Testament, says similarly, “‘I hate divorce,’ says the Lord, the God
of Jeffrey Koplan, Director of the Center for Disease Control,
said, “Past research has shown that divorce is associated with higher rates of
mortality, more health problems, and more risky behaviors such as increased
alcohol use.” My old teacher Tom
Miller’s response to this was, “It makes you think God knew what He was doing
when He declared that marriage is to be permanent; does it not?” 4 Stated by God himself, marriage is a lasting relationship. _______________ 1This quote comes from Charles Brown’s lesson on “The Family”
in the book, “Practical Studies in Church Growth,” page 208. Brown was quoting Jack Cottrell’s book, “Feminism
and the Bible,” page 68. 2
From William Bennett’s “The Moral
Compass,” page 506. 3
From the NRSV Harper Study Bible,
page 6.
4 From Tom Miller’s
lesson on “Marriage” in the book, “Back to Basics: What Does The Bible Say
About…,” pages 123-124. |