Marriage is a subject I like to talk about. Sadly, in my many years as a Christian, I have heard few sermons on the topic. I have only read one good Christian book on dating, a rather obscure book I got for three dollars. And getting down to brass tax, marriages seemed to have drastically dwindled in churches in the past two decades in my observation. There seem to be fewer and fewer. Having said that, when I was at Colorado Christian University for my second degree, I was impressed by how many students there were mature enough to get married, most soon after graduation. The number of folks I met at CCU getting married was encouraging!
I spent much time this week preparing to officiate a wedding even though I was the “backup.” Amidst the preparation, there was some truly blessed time for me as I pondered the sanctity of Christian marriage, and I share considerations.
First of all, God ordained marriage. The first two people created by God, Adam and Eve, were married by God. We know this since the Bible states that Eve was Adam’s wife (see Genesis 2:25; 3:8; 3:20-21). From the get-go it was God’s intention for men and women to get married.
Second, God still calls for marriage. Jesus affirmed this by His teaching as recorded in Matthew 19:4-6.
Thus it is makes sense that in most cultures in the world, even cultures which are drastically different from one another, marriage is still a common institution. And even for folks who practice a number of the world religions, marriage is sacred, though in some religion it takes a different form. Marriage has been a practice in many cultures through-out recorded history.
In my view, a tragedy taking place in American culture today is that marriage is being viewed less and less as a sacred union. For many, the covenant of holy matrimony is seen as a loss of independence. Simply living together without a vow before God to permanently bond is increasing in popularity.
Not trying to stifle anyone’s independence, Scripture teaches our need for dependence on our holy God. We people were created to be in a loving relationship with God. Second, we people were created to be in loving relationships with others. We were never created to be mere individuals.
I know America developed in a mode of independence and freedom. Hey, I like adventure and some independence. However, speaking for myself, for me to be a loving person, I need serious help from God. Scripture teaches God is love, and that we need His love. Secondly, I have learned in all of my adventures, even during my journey of great freedom thirty years ago as I thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, relationships are important during any journey. I could not have accomplished that journey without help from loving people.
And Scripture teaches the blessing of being married, that special loving covenant made between a man and a woman before God. God ordained marriage right from the creation of people, and I think we Christians should be giving marriage more attention. I for one commit to working in this direction.
Hunter
