In this article, we continue with a study of the Biblical purposes of Marriage. The next one to be considered is preventing sexual sins of immorality and maintaining purity in life as taught in 1 Cor.7:1-9. “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” (1 Cor.7:2) “But if they cannot contain themselves, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.” (1 Cor. 7: 9) In this passage Paul urged married couples to have sexual relations with one another because of the prevalence of temptations to satisfy sexual desire inappropriately. A healthy sex life between a husband and wife is a normal and natural release of sexual tension, and thus it is helpful in the prevention of sexual immorality. Another purpose of marriage is displaying divine love. Marriage was instituted as an earthly symbol of the spiritual relation between God and man- the Love between Christ and his church.
In Eph.5:22-25 we read “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (Verse 32). It is taught here that the wife's submission to the husband should correspond with the submission of the church to Christ and husband's love for his wife with Christ's love for the church.
God's purpose for marriage is to model Christ's relationship with the church. While marriage is the sacred and lifelong union of a man and a woman giving themselves to each other in love and trust, it signifies the mystery of the union between Christ and His bride, the Church. In v.32, marriage is spoken of as a mystery. In the Bible, the term 'mystery' does not mean something obscure or cannot be understood. It is used to speak of a truth hidden in the Old Testament and is now revealed. When God instituted marriage in the beginning, He planned it to be a picture of the relationship that would come about between Christ and the Church in a future day. Though this was not known to people in the olden days it is revealed in this New Testament age. Therefore, we conclude that God already had Christ and the church in mind when He instituted marriage for mankind in the beginning.
We understand from Scriptures that providing a forum for successfully raising the children is also a purpose of God in marriage. (Eph.6:1-4) Marriage is given that children may be born and brought up in security and love, that home and family life may be strengthened, and that society may continue to multiply and stand upon firm foundations. Family is the training ground for children. Their character is moulded primarily within the four walls of their home. They receive values from their parents. What they see and hear at home influences them and helps them to shape their personality.
The family is the basic unit of society. The quality of the society would depend on the quality of the families in the society. The family is, founded upon marriage and children born into families are brought up in an atmosphere of love and protection. This would give the children a sense of security. As they grow up with parents and siblings they learn to love, respect, and help one another. A family gives us our identity and background, and a sense of belonging. Within our family we learn to relate to one another in love and share our daily experiences. The family is there to support us, stand with us, and pray for us. The family is there when we fall, to protect, support and comfort us in times of hardship. The correction and discipline needed in life are learned first in the family. The family is an opportunity to grow in virtues, such as love, generosity, patience, and forgiveness.
God designed families so that children can be brought up in the fear of God to live a life pleasing to Him. In Deut. 6, God told Israel to love Him and obey His commandments and teach their children also to do the same. This is God's desire even today and He is looking for families where His heart’s desire can be fulfilled.
Personal sanctification can be considered as one of the purposes of marriage (when viewed from a practical viewpoint) though no specific Bible passage mentions this as one of the purposes. It is clearly taught in the Scriptures that God's primary goal for His people is for them to be conformed to the image of Christ. He therefore uses difficulties and challenges to refine our character and strengthen our faith. God wants to use our marriage also to help shape us into the image of His Son.
Entering an intimate relationship with another person of the Adamic race with the same fallen and sinful nature that we have, puts us in a situation where we must face character issues that we could possibly never confront elsewhere. Here we are required to make a lifetime commitment of providing emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy and care for another. That would bring out our real nature of selfishness. This is an area where we need to work out our salvation facing the issue honestly and seeking God's grace for victory. We can use marriage- to grow in our service, obedience, character, pursuit, and love of God.
Let me conclude with a quotation from the writings of M. Fairchild, "I believe God designed marriage as an instrument to make us more like Christ.” In his book, Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas asks this question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy? Is it possible that there is something much more profound in the heart of God than to simply make us happy? Can we lay down our own ambitions to love and serve our spouse? Through marriage, we can learn about unconditional love, respectful honour, how to forgive and be forgiven. We can see our shortcomings and grow from that insight. We can develop a servant's heart and draw closer to God. As a result, true soul happiness can be discovered, and this, I believe is one of God's ultimate desires and purposes for designing the covenant of marriage."
In Eph.5:22-25 we read “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” “This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (Verse 32). It is taught here that the wife's submission to the husband should correspond with the submission of the church to Christ and husband's love for his wife with Christ's love for the church.
God's purpose for marriage is to model Christ's relationship with the church. While marriage is the sacred and lifelong union of a man and a woman giving themselves to each other in love and trust, it signifies the mystery of the union between Christ and His bride, the Church. In v.32, marriage is spoken of as a mystery. In the Bible, the term 'mystery' does not mean something obscure or cannot be understood. It is used to speak of a truth hidden in the Old Testament and is now revealed. When God instituted marriage in the beginning, He planned it to be a picture of the relationship that would come about between Christ and the Church in a future day. Though this was not known to people in the olden days it is revealed in this New Testament age. Therefore, we conclude that God already had Christ and the church in mind when He instituted marriage for mankind in the beginning.
We understand from Scriptures that providing a forum for successfully raising the children is also a purpose of God in marriage. (Eph.6:1-4) Marriage is given that children may be born and brought up in security and love, that home and family life may be strengthened, and that society may continue to multiply and stand upon firm foundations. Family is the training ground for children. Their character is moulded primarily within the four walls of their home. They receive values from their parents. What they see and hear at home influences them and helps them to shape their personality.
The family is the basic unit of society. The quality of the society would depend on the quality of the families in the society. The family is, founded upon marriage and children born into families are brought up in an atmosphere of love and protection. This would give the children a sense of security. As they grow up with parents and siblings they learn to love, respect, and help one another. A family gives us our identity and background, and a sense of belonging. Within our family we learn to relate to one another in love and share our daily experiences. The family is there to support us, stand with us, and pray for us. The family is there when we fall, to protect, support and comfort us in times of hardship. The correction and discipline needed in life are learned first in the family. The family is an opportunity to grow in virtues, such as love, generosity, patience, and forgiveness.
God designed families so that children can be brought up in the fear of God to live a life pleasing to Him. In Deut. 6, God told Israel to love Him and obey His commandments and teach their children also to do the same. This is God's desire even today and He is looking for families where His heart’s desire can be fulfilled.
Personal sanctification can be considered as one of the purposes of marriage (when viewed from a practical viewpoint) though no specific Bible passage mentions this as one of the purposes. It is clearly taught in the Scriptures that God's primary goal for His people is for them to be conformed to the image of Christ. He therefore uses difficulties and challenges to refine our character and strengthen our faith. God wants to use our marriage also to help shape us into the image of His Son.
Entering an intimate relationship with another person of the Adamic race with the same fallen and sinful nature that we have, puts us in a situation where we must face character issues that we could possibly never confront elsewhere. Here we are required to make a lifetime commitment of providing emotional, physical, and spiritual intimacy and care for another. That would bring out our real nature of selfishness. This is an area where we need to work out our salvation facing the issue honestly and seeking God's grace for victory. We can use marriage- to grow in our service, obedience, character, pursuit, and love of God.
Let me conclude with a quotation from the writings of M. Fairchild, "I believe God designed marriage as an instrument to make us more like Christ.” In his book, Sacred Marriage, Gary Thomas asks this question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy? Is it possible that there is something much more profound in the heart of God than to simply make us happy? Can we lay down our own ambitions to love and serve our spouse? Through marriage, we can learn about unconditional love, respectful honour, how to forgive and be forgiven. We can see our shortcomings and grow from that insight. We can develop a servant's heart and draw closer to God. As a result, true soul happiness can be discovered, and this, I believe is one of God's ultimate desires and purposes for designing the covenant of marriage."
– John Kurian