It has been over thirty years since I first heard a visiting preacher use the term “disposable” to describe society’s view of marriage. I wish I could say that things have improved over the last thirty years, but simple observation would prove it to be much worse. Our society, in general, does not see the necessity of marriage in order to enjoy the companionship and sexual pleasures that God has reserved exclusively for marriage. Speaking of God, our society does not care one wit about what “some God might have to say about marriage.” It is viewed as an out-of-date institution of the past, and if one actually chooses to enter into a marriage, he can cancel his order, return it and get a replacement as often as he desires. Even some Christians seem to have decided that inventing and following their own rules about marriage is perfectly acceptable and, as long as they’re “true to God in other areas,” that He will overlook what they do in their marriages.
The truth is that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). This includes how one conforms himself to the will of God regarding marriage. Here are some key things to keep in mind.
God created marriage in the beginning (Gen. 2:18-24; Mark 10:6-9). Therefore, God alone has a right to regulate marriage!
God designed marriage to be between a male and female (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-24; Matt. 19:4-6).
God intended marriage to be between only one man and one woman (i.e., not polygamy) (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4-9; 1 Cor. 7:2; 9:5; Eph. 5:23-33).
God designed marriage to be permanent, to last until the death of a spouse (Rom. 7:2-3; 1 Cor. 7:39; Matt. 19:6).
God limits sexual activity only within an approved marriage of a husband with his wife (Heb. 13:4), and He condemns all sexual activity outside of marriage as sinful (called fornication or adultery) (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:8).
God permits divorce and remarriage only when one’s spouse has committed fornication (Matt. 19:9), and any divorce and remarriage by one who is not the innocent party results in adultery (Matt. 5:32; Mark 10:11; Rom. 7:3).
Time does not change God’s design for marriage. Culture does not change it. Our wishes do not change it. Our personal circumstances do not change it. Jesus’ disciples realized how serious this subject was (Matt. 19:10). We must, too!