Principles of Marriage

For the church to be a more effective witness in the world, we must treat the vow and covenant of marriage with much greater respect. That is why I concluded my message Sunday morning with a list of principles for marriage. Take a look at these principles again today and ask yourself how marriage measures up.

Marriage is of God. God created marriage. God designed marriage. Marriage is of God.

Marriage is for life. God’s plan for marriage is simple—one man, one woman, one lifetime.

Marriage is for a man and a woman to enjoy. Marriage is not for a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, or a human and an animal. When God created man and woman He called them Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

Marriage is not for everyone. Some people are better off not to marry. Paul teaches this in 1 Corinthians 7, where he gives instruction to the church about marriage. And I might add, for those who have been married more than once, it might be in your best interest to take a 20-year sabbatical before ever considering the prospect of marriage again.

Marriage demands total commitment. Before deciding to marry you must ask yourself if you are prepared to make a lifelong commitment of holy matrimony to this individual. There is no room for estrangement, separation, divorce or remarriage. Marriage demands total commitment.

Marriage is supremely sacred. The marriage bond a husband and a wife share is one designed by God. God ordained marriage, and we should treat it with the utmost reverence and respect.

Marriage is not so much about happiness, as it is about holiness. I know of a counselor who says most married couples are happy less than 50% of the time. If that is true, and I can see how it is, then what is it that keeps those marriages together? It is the commitment the two people share in helping one another become more like Christ.

Finally, and most importantly, the purpose of marriage is to honor and glorify God. In the same way the church must live in such a way to honor and glorify God, every married couple that claims to be truly devoted to the Lord should live to honor and glorify God. Remember, as Paul was looking for a living illustration of what a marriage should look like he compared it to the relationship the church shares with Jesus Christ (see Ephesians 5:21-33).