Is it necessary for a Christian to marry? What is the purpose of marriage? The Bible has a lot to say about this topic. Since the first marriage was between the first man and the first woman, it is assumed that marriage is God’s will for most people. It was instituted in the dispensation of innocence and is therefore a holy institution. The first reason that the Bible gives for the existence of marriage is simple: Adam was lonely and needed a helper (Genesis 2:18). This is the primary purpose of marriage—fellowship, companionship, and mutual help and comfort.
One purpose of marriage is to create a stable home in which children can grow and thrive. The best marriage is between two believers (2 Corinthians 6:14) who can produce godly offspring (Malachi 2:13–15). In Malachi, God tells the Israelites that He will not accept their offerings because they have been unfaithful to the wives of their youth. This shows how much God cares about marriage being kept intact. Not only that, but He tells them He was seeking “godly offspring.” This is a puzzling passage, and has been interpreted to mean a) that godly offspring are the purpose of marriage; b) that a good marriage between two godly people will mean that any children they have will tend to be godly as well; c) God wanted the Israelites to be faithful to their wives instead of leaving them for foreign women who would produce for them ungodly offspring because of the idolatry of those nations; and d) that God Himself was seeking His own offspring (the people) to exhibit godliness by their faithfulness. In any of these interpretations, we see a common theme: the children of faithful people will tend to be faithful, too.
Not only does marriage teach children how to be faithful and give them a stable environment in which to learn and grow, it has a sanctifying effect on both marriage partners when they submit to God’s law (Ephesians 5). Every marriage has difficult moments or difficult dynamics. When two sinful people are trying to create a life together, they must submit to God’s command to love each another as God has loved us—selflessly (1 John 3:16). Our attempts to follow God’s commands in our own strength tend to end in failure, and that failure tends to make the believer more aware of his dependence on God and more open to the Spirit’s work in him, which tends to result in godliness. And godliness helps us to follow God’s commands. So, marriage is very helpful for the one trying to live a godly life; it helps to scrub the heart clean of selfishness and other impurities.
Marriage also protects individuals from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:2). The world we live in is full of sexual images, innuendo, and temptation. Even if a person doesn’t pursue sexual sin, it pursues him or her, and it is very hard to escape it. Marriage provides a healthy place to express sexuality, without opening oneself up to the severe emotional (and many times physical) damage that is caused by casual, non-committed sexual relationships. It is clear that God created marriage for our good (Proverbs 18:22), to make us happy, to promote a healthier society, and to produce holiness in our lives.
Finally, marriage is a beautiful picture of the relationship between Christ and His church. The body of believers that make up the Church are collectively called bride of Christ. As Bridegroom, Jesus gave His life for His bride, “to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25–26), and His selfless act provides an example for all husbands. At the second coming of Christ, the church will be united with the Bridegroom, the official “wedding ceremony” will take place, and with it the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized (Revelation 19:7–9; 21:1–2).
You have not mentioned anything about sex outside of marriage.
Hollywood and society norms tell us that sex is the ultimate expression of love for each other. However from my reading of the Bible it is clear that sex outside of the marriage union is taboo. See Deuteronomy 22. However there is still forgiveness offered by God to someone who has had sex outside of marriage as illustrated in the woman who was caught in adultery. John 8;4. It is noted Jesus did not condone her actions but forgave her when he told her to go and sin no more.
The apostle Paul indicates sex is reserved for marriage when he advises that it is better to marry than to burn I Cor 7:9 indicating sex outside of marriage is taboo but fully acceptable inside marriage.
That is True I agree with you! I have posted other topics on fornicators and adultery in the past somewhere on these Forums. Also, a marriage license is needed in the USA for those couples who marry. It is then a legal marriage and Christians should know God does not approve of Livins. I am not a teacher but have excellent Men teachers lead by God. They do not have to wonder what is excepted by God and what is not. Divorce is a subject that many do not understand. Especially those who have Never been married. Christians are divorced all the time for different reasons but the Bible supports divorce if it is for a biblical reasons.
No one has to share here why they got divorced.
That is a personal matter!
There are many Men profiles 60+ yrs that say they are divorced on this Christian Dating.
Yep! Good old Deuteronomy 22 and good old Malachi 2:16.
I don't know how happy people are that they married. So, many marriages end in divorce as had yours, and the Bible says that God HATES divorce. (Malachi 2:16) Yet you find reason for divorce and justification for divorce though Jesus said it was not this way at the beginning. God does not condone divorce. Jesus said,"Moses gave you this commandment". Jesus did not say that this commandment came from God. Moreover, according to Moses. it was to be the husband who write a certificate of divorce and give it to his wife. It was not for the wife to write a certificate divorce and give to her husband. Also, in the Bible, there were times that divorce was not to be permitted. (Deuteronomy 22;19 and Deuteronomy 22:29) And when divorce was permitted, the woman was to go free without payment of money (Exodus 21:11) and the man got to keep his house. (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) The Bible says, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, that a wife must not separate from her husband, but if she does, she must remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband, and that a husband must not divorce his wife. Of course, there are so many divorce happy people that they outnumber the married happy people 10 to 1. Those that divorce are not really following Bible teachings. Nor does the government follow Bible teachings. Regarding marriage, they do not follow it. Regarding divorce, they do not follow it. Then there are people like you that encourage divorce and marriage after divorce though the Bible calls that adultery. (Luke 16:18 and Mark 10:12) But ignore these Bible verses all you like. We are recognized by our fruit. If we love God, we will obey his teachings. If we do not love God, we will not obey his teachings. (John 14:15 and John 14:23-24) Consistently, you support divorce and marriage after divorce. But this is not what the Bible teaches.
You are constantly distorting Bible teachings on divorce and constantly distorting Bible teachings on marriage after divorce.
You write, "the Bible supports divorce if it is for a biblical reasons."
The Bible says, Romans 7:2 1hat a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive.
The Bible says, 1 Corinthians 7:39, "A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord."
You are constantly advocating for divorce and constantly advocating for marriage after divorce. Two things that Jesus and Paul speak against, you advocate. You claim that scripture is on the side of divorce and that scripture is on the side of marriage after divorce. Your only hope is Ezra 10:11 and Luke 18:29-30. But neither of these say that women can marry someone else. Paul speaks of remaining as you are and remaining in the situation that God called you. He also says that you are to remain unmarried or be reconciled to your husband. He suggests that you will be happier not marrying again. (1 Corinthians 7:40) And I think that is true of you. There is so much conflict between you and men, I don't see you ever being happy with any husband. I'm not even sure that you are happy with Christ Jesus. You do not like submission to men. And you want divorce and marry. Thus, Matthew 19:10. "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." 1 Corinthians 7:1 "It is good for a man not to touch a woman."
