Sanctity of Marriage
God has given each of us the choice between celibacy in singleness or fidelity in marriage. Fundamentally, marriage is a comprehensive union of a man and woman. It unites them in their most basic dimensions, and unites them permanently and exclusively. And, as the Scriptures teach, this life-long exclusive union illustrates the abiding and sacred union of Jesus Christ and his church.
In the Gospels we have an account of the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus by raising the controversial question of divorce. Jesus did not sidestep the contentious and highly debated subject. But before he renders his position on the matter, he points out that before we can talk about what ends a marriage, we have to first understand what a marriage is. And so he takes the Pharisees back to the creation account in Genesis and presents a clear understanding of what constitutes a marriage: a definition rooted in what God designed in the beginning and intended for all time.
Mark 10:6-9 “At the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”
In his answer, Jesus combines 2 separate verses from Genesis (one from chapter 1, the other from chapter 2), and then adds his own conclusion at the end. And in his answer, he presents what is often referred to as the “three-element design” of marriage.
• First, the phrase, “they are no longer two, but one” tells us that God intended marriage to be monogamous (married exclusively to one person). It is not to be an open relationship but is a union limited to just 2 people. And because the relationship is exclusive, marital faithfulness is expected of each spouse.
• Secondly, the words, “Let man not separate” clearly show us that marriage has a permanent nature to it. It is solidified in the vows of a lifetime commitment. The relationship is not to be regarded as something disposable that one can walk away from for any reason.
• And thirdly, this emphasis on “male and female” indicates that marriage is designed to be heterosexual: a man and a woman. The differences between men and women (emotional, mental, social, relational, and physical) are intentional; they are part of God’s design of male and female complementing each other in the marriage union.
These are the 3 essential components that constitute a marriage. Furthermore, this standard – that is set forth in Genesis and reaffirmed by Jesus – is consistently upheld throughout all of Scripture. Monogamy is upheld by the numerous passages that condemn adultery, fornication, and sexual relations outside the marriage covenant. Lifelong commitment is upheld by the passages that prohibit un-warranted divorce. Heterosexuality is upheld by those passages that forbid homosexual behavior.
This sacred institution of marriage was ordained by God, is regulated by his commandments, was blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and is to be held in honor among all people. Therefore, in our affirmation of natural marriage, we are conscience-bound to oppose all that seek to undermine or threaten its sanctity, including polygamy, cohabitation arrangements, groundless divorce, and so-called “same-sex marriages.”
Next: Sanctity of Life