The Gift of Marriage

In this weeks sermon we looked at a very explicit passage in the scripture which teaches how sexual intercourse is to be enjoyed, celebrated and pursued in the context of marriage. It is a wonderful blessing that two people enjoy and is a genuine gift of God. As we ended the sermon we looked at how single people should approach marriage. The question was to marry or not to marry. Certainly remaining single has advantages in that one is completely free to serve God in the ministry. But for most people, remaining single is not an option. God's word states:

1 Cor. 7:9 "But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

Today in many Christian families and circles, we are discouraging young people from marrying, and instead encouraging them to go to college and get and education. There is nothing wrong with this and I will certainly encourage my daughter to do the same thing when she is of age. But one thing I find a problem is when young people are burning with passion, and then discouraged form being married. Now certainly it is not the best reason to marry, but nevertheless, it is a command of scripture. The problem with many young adults is that the temptations to sin sexually abound. Besides their biological urges, they are bombarded from every angle. College life is notorious for sexually charged environments.  From spring break to the dorm life, it can be very different for young believers to remain pure in light of such temptations. At the work place and in general there is a great pressure to cave in. So the question is, "Would we rather have young Christian adults are who defiled sexually but are on the fast track to an education? Or have young Christian adults who may have the slow track to an education but be morally pure?

If we are serious about God's word, than we are more concerned about what scripture says than what society mandates. It is better marry than to burn. That is because the bible makes so clear that no sexually immoral person will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Now I am referring to extreme circumstances. The ideal thing is to have young Christians who can go to school and get a career and wait to get married afterwards. But if they cannot why hinder them.

I write this article in light of the reality of what a low view of marriage we have in our society today. And that low view has trickled into the church. On the other hand society has a very liberal view towards sexuality and that likewise has trickled into the church. This is where we as Christians must take a stand and go against the grain of society and trust and obey God's word. God is more concerned  with his peoples holiness than he is about what degree they hold. He is more concerned with family life that exalts him than he is about a secular career. And he is more concerned with his people enjoying the gift of sex within its proper context, than the fleeting pleasures of sexual immorality.

For those people who are single- If you can remain single and pure- Praise God!! But if you cannot- it is better to marry. But know this- marry in the Lord. Many people have made a shipwreck of their faith by entering into an unequally yoked marriage. They may have satisfied their carnal cravings, but at the cost of a lifetime of grief. What a blessing when a Christan man and Christian woman marry each other and enjoy the gift of sexual intercourse to the glory of God!