According to Statistics Canada, in 1994, there were 159,959 marriages in Canada. In that same year, Canadians accounted for 78,880 divorces. This works out to an approximate 50% divorce rate. It is much needed for folks today to reexamine marriage, and relearn the concepts and precepts involved therein.
Marriage is a divine institution of God. After creating Adam, the first man, God saw it necessary to also create Eve, for man was in need of a helpmeet, a companion. It is written in Genesis 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." The idea presented is that they become inseparable. To say that the two individuals become one flesh is to set forth that they are no longer two, but one. Marriage is an institution to be entered into for life. Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6 says to the Pharisees, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate." Marriage is an institution for life. It is a commitment that God expects us to keep until our dying day.
The words above spoken by Jesus were in response to a question by the Pharisees on divorce. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any cause?" That very question needs to be asked again today, for people have forgotten the answer. People today are divorcing for any and every reason. "Irreconcilable differences." "She burnt the toast." "She spends too much." "I'm just not interested any more." "We were young and foolish, that's all." Regardless of what justification we might present for having a divorce, before God, only one reason is proper. Jesus continues, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery, and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery." (Matthew 19:8-9).
Following these words, Jesus' own disciples concluded, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry." In some instances, I would have to agree. I know people who have been married at least three times. With such, God is not pleased. He made them to be one. Vows seem to mean nothing today. People used to say, "...till death do we part." Now, people say "...till we get tired of each other." We need to understand again the sanctity of marriage. | People used to say, '...till death do we part.' Now, people say '...till we get tired of each other.' |
Marriage can be a beautiful thing. If a couple run their lives in accordance with the will of God, hold a deep concern for their spouse and render unto one another their due affection, marriage can be the greatest of things which will ever happen to you. Nothing is more delightful than to see a couple in love. I especially love to see older couples, for they provide such an example. They held on through thick and thin. They went up hills and through valleys. They endured hardships and had joyous times. They are still together, and still in love. Marriage can be like that today, if we would only continually have the proper attitudes and concerns one for another.
Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Did Jesus ascend from Bethany or Mount Olivet? Luke 24:50-51 says it was Bethany, but Acts 1:9, 12 says it was Mount Olivet. Is there a contradiction?
