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Friday, July 30, 2010

What Does God Say about Living Together without Marriage?

You may already know the answer to this. The world has distorted the truth. I have heard so many things come from the world that seeks to justify sin. Let's look at some of these things:

"We were already committed to each other so why do we need a piece of paper to allow us to live together?" This is a common explanation for people to live together. Immature Christians agree with them. But I want to ask if God sees marriage as a piece of paper. It didn't include a piece of paper when it began. It started with a commitment to God and to the other person. Adam did a couple of things which need to be done in every marriage.

He identified with his wife as one with him. He said she was flesh of his flesh. He wasn't merely claiming that she came from his rib but that he was committed to her as he was to any part of himself. It was a permanent vow to his wife.

He made this commitment before God. It was not done in the backseat of a car. It was done as he knew God was present. In fact, God gave away the first bride. There was nothing shady about the whole affair. He was not breaking a law of God. He was participating with God in this marriage ceremony.

He named his wife. This was part of his identification with her. Today, a wife generally accepts her husband's last name. This is part of her commitment to her husband as well as his identification with her. This does not come because of any piece of paper but as a sign of the agreement they are in with each other.

Now, what is different about this and a couple living together without marriage? Do I really have to answer this?

Another excuse is, "God only put those marriage laws in place to prevent pregnancy outside of marriage. This rule of God was cultural like those of not wearing jewelry or not eating shellfish." This argument makes sense if sex is merely a biological experience but the Bible does not make it such. The Bible says that the sexual act joins us with the other person and brings the presence of the Lord into the act. (1 Corinthians 6:16-17) This means that the act of sex is a bonding act. It is more than biological.

I have heard believers say, "It was only sex." This seems to indicate that sex is akin to telling a woman that she looked good in a dress when it really made her look fat. In other words, no harm; no foul. Then, why does God say that the marriage bed should be kept holy?  God points out that He will judge the fornicators and adulterers. Fornication is the act of sex without marriage.

It is clear that sex was made for marriage and marriage should include sex. The Bible is very clear about this.

Proverbs 5:18-19 (NASB)
Let your fountain be blessed,
  And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
Be exhilarated always with her love.

Now, that's some good Bible, huh?

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