GOD'S MARRIAGE LAW
GOD'S
MARRIAGE LAW
The Bible says, "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled;
but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).
It is evident that our society as a whole no longer takes marriage as seriously
as it once did. Marriages are entered into on a whim and dissolved in a heartbeat.
The government has gradually loosened its laws pertaining to marriage and divorce
in accord with the loosening views of our society. Consequently, first marriages
entered into by young people are now viewed only as "starter marriages," much
as a first home for a young couple may be viewed as a "starter home." The
parallel is obvious: just as the young couple will soon grow out of their starter
home and look for a new and better one, they are just as likely to grow out
of their starter marriage. The result is that a divorce will occur and then
the
young man and woman will each find someone else to marry in their pursuit of
happiness. It seems little thought is given to the consequences of this attitude
toward marriage. Perhaps even less thought is given to how God may view this
approach to marriage.
God's marriage law is revealed to us in the gospel
of Christ. Doubtless, many
either scoff at the idea of theteaching of the New Testament having any application
to present day marriages, or ignore its teaching on the subject altogether..
However, that does not change the fact that it is God's law. Regardless of our
attitude toward the words of Christ, we can be assured that his words make up
the standard by which each of us will be judged (In. 12:48; Rom. 2: 16). For
this reason, it is of vital importance that we come to a proper understanding
of God's marriage law. According to the Scriptures, God's marriage law is:
One Man For One Woman
1. The Lord defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. When
questioned concerning marriage Jesus said, "Have you not read that He
who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For
this reason
a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the
two shall become one flesh '?" (Matt. 19:4-5). God's clear intent for
marriage from the beginning-has been that it is to be a relationship between
one man
and one woman (1 Cor. 7:2).
2. No other arrangement can be considered a lawful marriage. In his evil imagination,
man has dreamed up all sorts of variations on God's arrangement for marriage
including polygamous and homosexual unions. Many relationships that are considered
marriages today are, in terms of God's law, nothing more than examples of sexual
immorality. Those who have perverted the marriage relationship must repent or
face the wrath of God in judgment (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rev. 21 :8).
For Life
1. Marriage is a permanent relationship. Of the husband and wife relationship
Jesus said, "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore
what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matt. 19:6). The
Scriptures always affirm that marriage is intended to be a permanent, life-long
commitment
between a husband and wife. It is unfortunate that it is often viewed instead
as a temporary relationship that mayor may not work out for the long-term.
2. The marriage bond is severed at death. The apostle Paul writes, "A wife
is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is
at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord" (I Cor.
7 :39). Should one of the partners in the marriage die, then the other is free
to marry another eligible person. However, as long as both partners are living,
the marriage must remain intact.
With One Exception
1. An innocent spouse may divorce a sexually immoral spouse. Jesus said, "And
I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and
marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced
commits adultery" (Matt.
19:9). The only lawful reason given by the Lord for repudiating a marriage
partner and marrying someone else is in the case where one spouse is guilty
of sexually
immoral behavior. Such a case presents the lone exception in which a wife may
divorce her husband and marry another, or vice-versa. However, it is important
to note that if the guilty one who has been put away for sexual immorality
marries another, then he "commits adultery" (v. 9). The guilty fornicator
is not free to contract a new marriage following the severing of the marriage
he
destroyed through his sexuall immorality.
2
. Any other case of divorce and remarriage results in adultery
for all parties involved. The overriding message of God's marriage law is: "Whoever
divorces his wife and :marries another commits adultery against her. And if a
woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery" (Mk.
10: 11-12). What if a husband and wife divorce because they don't get along,
have fallen out of love, have grown apart, or for some other reason? Any subsequent
marriage they enter into will, in reality, be an. adulterous relationship. Society
may condone these second, third, or fourth marriages as honorable, but according
to God's law they are simply immoral relationships. It is time our society started
respecting God's marriage law. Haven't we seen enough of the terrible consequences
brought about through careless views toward marriage, divorce, and remarriage?
It is no wonder that, "the LORD God of Israel says that He hates divorce,
for it covers one's garment with violence" (Mal. 2: 16). If only man would
cease loving that which God hates. How is your attitude toward
God's marriage law?
David Dann