When a man and woman get married, they stand before a room of witnesses and proclaim their commitment to a lifetime of love. Though the details of the ceremony differ from culture to culture, the concept of marriage is the same. There is a desire to know and be known by another human being in total intimacy, and to procreate and raise the next generation. This building of family is God-ordained from the beginning of creation as a lifetime union between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:18, 24). God's plan is designed to enable a man and woman to grow together in a mutually satisfying relationship, and then to reach out to others with the love of Christ.
God lays out a blueprint for marriage in the Bible. It makes sense that the Designer of marriage has the best plan for building it. His clear instructions are:
Marriage should be between a man and a woman. (Gen 2:18) Eve, a woman, was the "helper" God provided who was suitable (Gen 2:24). Any other kind of union, God considers "unnatural" and a sin (Romans 1:26-27).
Marriage should be a lifetime union. God is grieved by divorce and the destruction of lives that result (Mark 10:3-12).
Marriage should be mutually beneficial, where both partners look out for the interests of the other in a bond of love (Ephesians 5:33; Philippians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
Marriage should be a monogamous and faithful relationship. God hates adultery so much that it is forbidden in the Ten Commandments and warns over and over that it leads to destruction (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32).
Why is marriage so important to God? Like all things God creates, marriage has a purpose and a provision. The obvious purpose is to establish a safe and healthy environment for intimacy and for the raising of children. God doesn't want us to be lonely, and he wants us to be fruitful in a lasting way (Gen.2:18; Gen.1 :27-28). A deeper, more spiritual purpose is to reflect the image of God as a unit (Gen. 1:27) and to mirror the beautiful relationship between Jesus and His Bride, The Church. (Ephesians 3:31).
The Bible says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their work" (Ecclesiastes 4:9). In a partnership in which the two are working for the same goal-loving God, loving people, and building God's kingdom-their efforts are multiplied in their unity. You can walk in the power and purpose of a godly marriage as you pattern your relationship after the Bible, pray together regularly, and serve together in a local church. God will bless the marriage modeled after His word, and together, the husband and wife will produce much for the kingdom of God!
Verses
"Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.' And He said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together" (Matthew 19:4-6).