Why Marriage?

Today's culture seems to be more and more opposed to marriage. Our culture of 'hook-ups' and 'one-night stands' have completely ruined the way that people should view marriage, especially Christians. Too many people believe that marriage is just a waste of time. The worst consequence of this type of thinking is the way that people have butchered sex. Teenagers who are virgins are hard to find because there are few of them and the ones that are left are ashamed to admit it for the most part. Everyone wants to take their partner for a 'test-drive' before deciding if they want to get married. But that's for another post. Let's focus on the importance of marriage.

In Ephesians 5, Paul takes a look at the roles of husbands and wives in the marriage relationship and at the end of this passage in verse 32 he says this in relation to marriage: "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." Anyone know what Paul is trying to say? He is showing us that marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church! If you think about the implications of that it will completely blow your mind and change the way you view marriage.

The ultimate goal of marriage is not to love your partner "til death do you part." The ultimate goal of marriage is to mirror Christ's relationship to the church. Husbands: when Paul said to "love your wives as Christ loves the church" it is not just an example to try to live by, it's a command! Wives: Paul tells you to "submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord." it's a command. Husbands should love their wives with the same sacrificial, unconditional love that Christ has for His church, and that will lead to a wife who submits joyfully as the church does to Christ.

What a privilege we as imperfect people have to marry another imperfect person and in so doing, we reflect the relationship between Christ and His church! That is why divorce is not an option. Husbands, when Christ stops loving the church, you can stop loving your wives. Same goes for the ladies.

Single people: marriage is a bigger decision than you realize. This is why I said before that it is the most important decision of your life next to salvation. Make sure you know that God is calling you to marriage. If you think you know, then you don't know. Trust me, you will know when God is telling you to embark on this journey.

There is so much more to say about this topic but I wanted to just simply whet your appetite. If you want to really understand this truth, read a book! Yeah that thing with a cover and pages. Actually, read "This Momentary Marriage" by John Piper. Seriously, it is a must read for all Christians, married or single.


Anyways, I hope this helps and I hope you cant understand through all my rambling and scattered thoughts.