The Sanctity of Marriage
In his blog, Getting Over Your “Right Theology,” Luke Kjolhhaug writes that the lure of “being right” is intoxicating. There really is something exhilarating about thinking you’re right politically, theologically, or ideologically. It stirs up the blood of the Old Adam in us.
The old trick of Gnosticism is that there is a key that unlocks knowledge to only a select few. For centuries cultures have feasted on the “tree of knowledge” with that bias in mind. Marriage counselors assume a knowledge that is given to a privileged few. But the plethora of advice concerning marriage and marriage breakups has proven otherwise. A book published in 2014, written by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Margaret E. Kostenberger , entitled God’s Design for Man and Woman is a Biblical –Theological survey which wrestles with what God had in mind when He created us as males and females.
Within the church there is no clear consensus as to meaning of male and female. Our identity as male and female, husband and wife and parents is far too important an issue not to carefully think through from a Biblical point of view. It’s that we have failed to take to heart what God is telling us about marriage.
That failure is our fault; we are sinners in rebellion against God. Therefore, in order that the very souls of our being may be rescued from destinies without God, we need to accept what God’s Son tells us about marriage. Marriage is a sacrificial covenant fashioned after Christ’s obedience to His Father. It is through Christ’s love for His church, His Bride, that we are given insight into the meaning of the relationship of a male and a female in marriage.
It is a faith commitment as is our commitment to Christ and His church. Francis Schaeffer writes that when we accept Christ by faith we become justified before God. Here is an example of how this works. A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his paralyzed and suffering servant in Capernaum. He approached Jesus in the manner anyone accepts Jesus. It is with profound humility and faith by stating his unworthiness which is the substance of faith. Jesus alone has the power to heal. Jesus marveled at his faith.
When a male and a female have heard the Word of God and accept what it says by faith, they enter into a relationship with each other that is according to the will of God. Not only is that marriage justified before God, but together, the individuals in that union are being sanctified daily through the mutual submission to that covenant of faith modeled after Christ and the Church. Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ loved the church, while wives are called to respect and submit to their husbands as to the Lord, creating a union that mirrors divine love. Wives showing respect and husbands loving their wives as their own bodies transforms the relationship into a holy relationship.
There are many blogs, podcast, and philosophies concerning what makes a marriage relationship holy. But what Andreas J. Kostenberger and Margaret E. Kostenberger have done in their book is to trace how male and female have unfolded through Genesis to Revelation as a quest.
This holy quest bears the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23. Love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the primary evidence of a godly marriage.
The ultimate goal of a holy relationship is for the couple to reflect Christ’s love to each other and the world.
A holy relationship is a selfless, enduring partnership where both spouses grow in virtue.
Into this holy relationship children are born, often considered a blessing of a fruitful marriage.
A holy relationship serves as a channel of God’s grace, strengthening the couple through prayer, time, and mutual sacrifice.
A holy relationship bears fruit that lasts throughout all eternity.
