JESUS IS THE ANSWER TO MARRIAGE
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). He finished with the creation of man on the sixth day. (Genesis 1:24; 2:1). God rested on the seventh day. (Genesis 2:2). The Creator then placed man in the garden He had planted to provide him with food. (Genesis 2:8, 9). “But for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2: 20). A woman (not a man), a wife was made for Adam from a rib from his (a man, not a woman) side. She (not he) was made for Adam. Thus, God created the first couple, a man and a woman, “male and female” (Genesis 1:27; 5:1, 2). Adam and Eve, not Steve, became “one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24). Jesus reminded the tempting Pharisees of this event, saying, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,….” (Matthew 19:4). Jesus called the male and female, man and wife. (Verse 5). Verse 9 refers to the man as “his” and to the wife as “her.” This is further proof that God created a male and a female, not transgender people, not male and male, not female and female, for the marriage union. What could God have said or done to make this clearer?
Each time God speaks of His approval of a couple, it is always of a natural male and female, a natural man (he) and a woman (she), not a reconstructed, transgender person. For example, Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:19; 3:20), male (man) and fe-male (woman). (Genesis 4:1, “Adam…his wife…she”). Also, “Cain…a man…his wife…she” (Genesis 4:1, 17). Genesis 7 speaks of Noah and his wife, and Noah’s three sons and their wives. (Verses 7, 13). We know these were male and female, because two men or two women cannot conceive and bear children. Adoption and/or harvesting seed from someone else would be the only other way those who change God’s plan could have children. Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah) were husband and wife. (Genesis 11:31). Abraham is called “he”, while Sarah, his wife, is called “she.” (Genesis 12:9-16). After Sarah’s death, “Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bare….” (Genesis 25:1, 2). Abraham married a natural woman both times. A complete reading of the Old Testament will show the same pattern where God’s pattern and directions are followed. The Creator and Designer never created a natural man for man in the marriage union. Neither did He sanction marriage between two women, natural or otherwise.
The man and woman became “one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6). “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6). “The woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth.” (Romans 7:2). Thus, we see that marriage is not “so long as our love lasts”, as some say, but so long as both live. Trivial things do not justify divorce and remarriage. Acceptance by the government and people does not change God’s law. One flesh suggests harmony, union, togetherness, a joining.
God gives but two reasons for remarriage. First, “if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” (Romans 7:2). This would also apply to the husband, if his wife died. Second, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and who marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” (Matthew 19:9; 5:28). Thus, fornication can end a marriage, and give the innocent party a right to remarry. However, the fornicator might repent, be forgiven, and the marriage saved. (Luke 17:3, 4). One who divorces a spouse for any reason other than fornication transgress-es God’s law, sins. (1 John 3:4; 5:17). Romans 7:3 and Matthew 19:9 make it clear that one married to another while having a living spouse who has not committed adultery is an adulterer or adulteress.
Some think that they may separate and marry another. The Greek is specific in saying that in order to remarry, the divorce had to be for the specific reason of adultery. (Matthew 19:9). “The Lord” said, “Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10, 11). Others feel that they may remarry after the other partner remarries, even though no adultery was involved. Again, to remarry, one must have put the other away for adultery. (Matthew 19:9). Some say that the guilty party may remarry after the innocent party remarries. This is neither taught nor implied in the scriptures. Further, there would be no reason for Matthew 19:9, if this were so. Also, one desiring to be out of a marriage might commit adultery, confess such, wait for the innocent party to re-marry, and then remarry, thus, negating God’s law. Matthew 19:9 speaks of a guilty party and an innocent party, and it says the innocent party may remarry, but not the guilty.
Marriage between two of the same sex is sinful for two reasons. First, there is no authority for it! Marriage between a natural man and a natural woman is authorized from the beginning (Genesis 2:18-24), and has the stamp of approval of Jesus. (Matthew 19:1-9). Second, marriage between two parties of the same sex is expressly condemned by an inspired writer, Paul. (Romans 1:18-32, especially, verses 24-29; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21). The Sodomites who came to Lot’s house to “know”, have sex with, the two men of his house (Genesis 19:5) were said to be wanting to act “wickedly.” (Verse 7). They were smitten with blindness (Verse 11), and the city was destroyed. (Verses 13-28). Believing students of the word of God follow His pattern, rejecting any other.
Beloved, if the whole world went the way of Sodom and those of Romans 1:18-32, the entire human population would be extinct in some 100 years. Take the Bible out of the equation and one can see the folly of rejecting God’s way. God desires procreation (Genesis 1:27, 28), and that can only be accomplished between a man and a woman, except for help from others.
Even among animals and fowl God commanded “the male and his female” (Genesis 7:2, 3), to be brought into the ark. Those who entered the ark left to “breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth.” (Genesis 8:16-19). Had there been 16 men or 16 women, we would not be here today. Had there been only male or female animals or fowl, there would be no wildlife today. As far as we know there was no such thing as in vitro fertilization (IVF) back then.
“Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22). Wives should also find husbands who will be good things. A good Christian spouse will help one remain on the road to eternal life, while a non-Christian will constantly be pulling one away. God gave husbands and wives to one another because it is not good to be alone. (Genesis 2:18). 1 Peter 3:8 says Christian couples are “heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” Finding a good husband or wife greatly aids in building a good home, raising children, as well as helping one another reach the glories of heaven. Reading the word together, praying together, visiting together, fighting and overcoming the world together, even that intimate relationship between husband and wife, and so much more are the blessings of finding that good significant other. Seek a mate like the two in Acts 18:26; Romans 16:3-5; and others. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 should be read by any and all who would enter into any relationship, especially marriage. Genesis 6:1ff did not turn out well. God forbad Israel to make covenants with or inter-marry those of other nations lest they be turned away from God. (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). Are we immune to this?
“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled.” (Hebrews 13:4). When the love of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 permeates the marriage, there will be no thought of divorce, much less the dissolving of such a blissful state. Pause to read these words. Ephesians 5:21-33 is a beautiful picture of what marriages should be. Read and Imitate this! Sometimes we bend over backwards to please the one we seek to get to the altar, then cease to do so when we have secured the union. This writer used passages from the Songs of Solomon when courting his beautiful bride and wife and wife to be. For example, he wrote, “Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks; thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead.” (Song of Solomon 4:1). Words like these will help get a good wife, but it takes similar words to keep her. Also, of men.
Seek a virtuous woman for a wife. (Proverbs 31:10ff). The words, “The hands that rock the cradle rule the world” were neither said in jest nor flippantly. Someone had observed the worthiness of a good wife. Biblical characters from Genesis thru Revelation reveal godly men being the same. Jesus condoned marriage by being at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee. (John 2:1ff). This writer has been greatly blessed with the wife of his youth (Cf. Malachi 2:14), of 54 years, as of 5/30/2017. His prayer for each of you is that you may find the same joy, love, peace, and example in word and deed. Do all in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17), and reap the great benefits.
It Is Written 