Written by: Chuck and Lorianne Merritt.
When asked why we’re marrying, a typical response might be, ‘Because she’s the perfect match for me,’ or, ‘We have so many things in common,’ or, ‘He’s everything I want in a husband.’ There’s no question that God uses our natural attraction or affinity to another person as a catalyst for coming together. But there is also a bigger picture that many couples fail to see.
Scripture portrays three specific purposes God has for your marriage. Knowing them helps you not only answer the question, ‘why get married?’ it gives you a clear view of the importance of your marriage to God.
Consider these verses in the first book of the Bible:
Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, in Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.
Genesis 1:26-28.
From these, God’s purposes for your marriage are clear.
1. Reflect the Image of God (Genesis 1:27)
Note the phrases “in our image” and “in our likeness” in Genesis 1:27. God is clearly stating that He made Adam and Eve to reflect Him. While both Adam and Eve reflected God’s image individually, in Genesis 1:27 God gave them the unique opportunity as husband and wife to reflect their Creator through oneness: “in the image of God he created him [Adam], male and female he created them.”
In the New Testament (Romans 8:29), we see that God is in the process of conforming each of us into the “image” of Jesus Christ. When two are joined as one, husband and wife are to esteem their spouse higher than themselves and to act outwardly in a way that others see Christ in their relationship.
We are to be reflectors of God’s light to a darkened world (Matthew 5:14).
2. Reproduce a Godly Heritage (Genesis 1:28)
In Genesis 1:28 we learn that couples are to be “fruitful and increase in number.” In the context of the rest of Scripture, simply having children is not the full purpose that God intends here (see Deuteronomy 6:1–9; Psalm 127:1, 3–5; Proverbs 22:6). This purpose could better be stated as “to reproduce a godly heritage that will also reflect God.” This would include the reproducing of physical children as well as “spiritual children,” or disciples (Matt. 28:19). God Himself adopts us as His own children forever when we trust Christ as our personal Savior (Romans 8:15, 23; Galatians 4:4–6; Ephesians 1:5–6).
Marriage is also important for a child’s well-being. In 1964 only 7 percent of children were born out of wedlock.[1] Now four-in-ten[2] kids under twelve will spend some of their life in a “cohabiting household” where a man and woman live together but aren’t married. These families are more likely to be impoverished, have less formal education and be less stable.[3] Teens from this background are more likely to be substance abusers, sexually promiscuous and underachievers in school.[4]
3. Reign in Spiritual Warfare (Genesis 1:28)
According to Scripture, the third purpose for marriage is to steward, or care for and cultivate, everything God entrusts to you—spiritual, physical, and relational.
Satan, the enemy of God, is described as a liar and murderer (John 8:44). Because God created marriage, Satan wants to do nothing more than divide couples and keep them from becoming one with each other and God. Husband and wife can only overcome Satan’s schemes by depending on Christ together. This is called ‘reigning’ in the spiritual realm.
Responsibilities in the physical realm might include the stewardship of material possessions, such as your home, vehicle or business, as well as taking care of your body and the earth. If you have children, they need to be fed, clothed, educated and shaped as young people to honor God.
Through oneness in marriage, husbands and wives are equipped to exercise stewardship over God’s creation, loving people, places and things to life by following Jesus and applying Scriptural truth. Relationally, husbands and wives are to glorify God and help build His kingdom (Genesis 1:28; Hebrews 2:6–9; Ephesians 6:10–18).
As you embrace these three purposes for your marriage, you are beginning the faith journey that is distinctive to Two Becoming One. God’s purposes for marriage have not changed. Neither has Satan’s desire to incite rebellion and independence from God.
Seeing marriage as a partnership with your spouse and God, will deepen your faith and help your focus stay on God’s promises, not the performance of your spouse. You will be creating what we call a supernatural faith relationship. Your marriage will be transformed as you align your marriage with God and his purposes.
Christian Family Life is a marriage discipleship ministry. We are here to offer resources and support no matter what condition your marriage is in. Our passion is to Build, Enrich, and Reconcile Marriages. Find out more at https://www.christianfamilylife.com/
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[1] “Marriage,” Solutions 2016, The Heritage Foundation, http://solutions.heritage.org/culture-society/marriage/2017.
[2] “National Vital Statistics Reports,” Center for Disease Control, Volume 64, Number 12, December 12, 2015.
[3] Wendy D. Manning, “The Future of Children,” Marriage and Wellbeing Revisited, Volume 25, Number 2, Fall 2015.
[4] “Marriage,” Solutions 2016, The Heritage Foundation, http://solutions.heritage.org/culture-society/marriage/.
