What About Marriage?

      By Fern Horst

"From the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Mark 10:6-9)

As a ministry to Christian singles, we speak often of God's purpose for singleness: to attend upon the Lord without distraction (I Cor. 7:35). But sooner or later most of us have asked the question, "What about marriage?"

Marriage is no doubt also established by the Lord for a purpose and with His specific guidelines. Should the opportunity arise for one who is single to move from singleness to marriage, it is important to understand God's purpose and parameters for marriage and the seriousness of entering into such a relationship.

When the Pharisees asked Jesus, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?" they thought they could draw Him into the dispute amongst themselves regarding the Mosaic Law. However, Jesus looked back further than the Mosaic Law to the beginning of creation and reestablished God's original intent for marriage: when a man and a woman join together they become one - a oneness which no human being can undo. Elsewhere in Scripture we learn that God has decreed that death is the point at which this oneness is dissolved (Romans 7:2, I Cor. 7:39), since in heaven there will be no marrying (Mark 12:25).

In considering the possibility of marriage then, it is important that we realize that entering into this particular relationship is a permanent "till death do us part" decision. Because of this we must choose carefully. This is not a decision which we can reverse, as are the decisions regarding college, career, and which house to buy; only God can choose when a marriage will end (by death).

Secondly, knowing that marriage is not an eternal relationship, we must keep our view of it in proper perspective: there are other aspects of life which will extend into eternity, and must be given higher value and attention. Above the call to marriage or singleness is God's call to each of us as believers in Christ to serve Him by bringing others into His Kingdom and nurturing those who have become His disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Marriage is one role by which individuals do this, particularly in raising children as Christ's disciples. But it is not the only role in which we can serve the Lord, nor is it necessarily the best role of service for every individual. Again, this is a serious consideration since it is most important that we serve Him, and that the choices we make aid in that service and do not hinder it.

We only have one life to live. It is important that we understand what God's purposes are, and make our choices accordingly.

© 2000 Fern Horst

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