God Brings a Divine Dimension to Marriage!

A Supreme Court of Canada decision that upheld Quebec's laws which provide rights to married couples that do not apply to couples merely living together has been applauded by pro-family organizations as a recognition of the unique and distinctive role that true marriage plays in society.

In what has become known as the Eric and Lola case, pseudonyms designed to protect the couple's three children, the court ruled that the Quebec law that excludes cohabiting couples from receiving spousal support in the event of relationship breakdown is constitutional and does not discriminate against couples who choose to live together without the benefit of marriage.

In a close 5-4 decision, Chief Justice Beverley McLaughlin wrote, "Those who choose to marry choose the protections, but also the responsibilities, associated with that status. Those who choose not to marry avoid these state-imposed responsibilities and protections."

The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) says that the decision accurately reflects the social science research which shows marriage to be substantively different from living common law.

"There is great consensus from social scientists, no matter their political stripe, that marriage is different from living together," said IMFC Manager of Research Andrea Mrozek.

"Unfortunately, the statistical reality is that people living together break up more readily—even if they do eventually wed. They are more likely to have multiple partners. Their children face more problems—higher rates of school dropout, more drug use and an earlier age of sexual initiation.

And single parents—mothers—are more likely to be poor. These are some of the harsh statistical realities of living together versus getting married, and it is wise to acknowledge this difference," said Mrozek.

The IMFC points out that providing the same benefits to those living common-law and those who are married contradicts the research, and sends the wrong signal about the importance of marriage for society.- LifeSiteNews, Feb 5, 2013, Thaddeus Baklinski

God wants marriages to be strong. He wants them to last long. He wants them to be a reflection of His relationship with His redeemed people. Today, I want to help us understand that building a strong marriage is not so much finding the right person as it is about our being the right person.

Let's begin by taking a look at the foundation of a strong marriage! Psalm 127:1 says, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” This verse teaches us the truth that every endeavor in life must be based on a relationship with God.

This is especially true when it comes to our marriages. If they are to be strong; if they are to glorify God; if they are to be a blessing to us and other; they must be built on the bedrock of a strong and serious relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

As His love operates in the heart of a husband and a wife, the married couple is better able to love one another. Being rightly related to the Lord Jesus brings a divine dimension to marriage. As most of us know, over 50% of all marriages in our nation fail. Many fall apart during the stormy times. Things like debt, lust, business of life, loss of interest in the other partner, and a host of other things can bring marriages to the brink of disaster.

No marriage, not even Christian marriages are immune from these upheavals. However, a marriage that stands on the bedrock of a strong relationship with Jesus Christ can weather any storm that comes along (See Luke 6:47-49). Certainly, marriages in which both partners are not saved can and do last for many years. That is a wonderful thing. Still, those marriages can never achieve the spiritual purposes God has for marriage. The marriage is real and the love deep, but it can never be everything God designed marriage to be.

Next, when one talks about the fundamentals of a strong marriage, there are several non-negotiable essentials that stand as pillars in every strong, spiritual marriage. They are as follows:

Love – When we speak of love, we are not talking about the kind of love portrayed in Hollywood. Movies and television depict love as nothing more than sexual desire. While the sexual relationship within the context of marriage is very important, (1 Corinthians 7:1-5), even it flows from a deeper, more spiritual kind of love. Paul describes the kind of love we are talking about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.

Loyalty – Ephesians 5:31 speaks of the law of “leaving and cleaving”. This was what God expected of the first married couple, Genesis 2:24, and it is what He expects of every other married couple. When a man and woman are married, there is a fundamental shift in their relationships to others. Their relationship with the parents is altered forever. It can still be strong, but the marriage relationship must have preeminence over the parental relationship. Children need to let go and so do parents. Few things are more devastating to a marriage than a failure to “leave and cleave”.

Respect – Mutual respect is fundamental for any marriage that expects long term success.

Faithfulness – Ephesians 5:31 speaks of the bond that exists between the husband and the wife. It is a bond that can only exist between two people. There is no room in the marriage relationship for a third party. It is never acceptable for a man or a woman to have a sexual or emotional relationship with a member of the opposite sex on the side. Our relationship with our spouse is to be one of absolute faithfulness, both physically and emotionally. Adultery is a sin regardless of the form it takes, Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:28.

Finally, what will be the outcome of all the love and effort in a marriage? A strong marriage will bear fruit to the glory of God. Here's what a strong marriage will produce...

• A Strong Marriage Sanctifies The Home – Ephesians 5:21-22; 25; 29
• A Strong Marriage Glorifies The Savior – Ephesians 5:32
• A Strong Marriage Witnesses To The Lost 
• A Strong Marriage Instructs The Next Generation – Ephesians 6:1-3

In closing, marriage is one of the greatest gifts God ever gave to humanity. But, it is truly beautiful when it is operates like God intended it to!

Scripture: 1 John 4:18; Hebrews 13:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Luke 16:11;  Mark 5:36; Romans 8:35

Prayer: Lord, I am willing to stand for You. Guide me, I pray! Amen

May God bless you always,

Brandi