The Promise of Marriage
A commentary By Peter Hawkins
United Church of God pastor, United Kingdom
Posted August 20, 2009
 The
radiant bride moved down the aisle towards me with her proud father.
The smartly dressed groom stepped forward to meet his wife-to-be. Then
my part in the marriage ceremony began.
As pastor of their congregation
it pleases me greatly to see a man and woman in love pledge to each
other their lifelong loyalty. But somehow marriage is now perceived
as a burden to many.
Marriage's declining popularity
Here in Britain
many young people see no need to marry, especially those who have survived
the parental wars. The current trend is for couples to live together
in casual partnerships.
In 2007 the number of official marriages in England
and Wales (231,450) was the lowest since 1895—less than half of
the 480,300 recorded in 1972. Also—beginning in 1992—more
couples who do marry formalize their union with civil rather than religious
ceremonies. By 2007 civil unions topped 65% of all marriages in England
and Wales.
As a whole, the British people no longer have a strong belief
in eternal values. Statistics show that half of all marriages end within
a few years. "Til
divorce do us part" is a more likely to end the marital bond than death!
Divorce is especially hard on children. In 2006 the 132,000 couples
who divorced in this nation affected more than 90,000 children under
one year old!
The cost of leaving God out of marriage
Marriage was
intended to be a wonderful blessing to humanity. It was our Creator
who instituted marriage, saying: "It is not good (sufficient,
satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper
meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him" (Genesis 2:18,
The Amplified Bible). However, the partnership that God desires for
husbands and wives requires a firm commitment to each other.
Strong
family bonds stablise society and prepare the next generation for leadership.
Children who grow to maturity in that type of environment are much more
likely to be stable and secure.
But that degree of fidelity and commitment
is rapidly disappearing. Much of today's society has grown frighteningly
unstable in regard to strong, solid and lasting relationships. This
trend is greatly affecting marriages and married couples' commitment
to maintain enduring, stable families!
As the apostle Paul predicted
for our time, "People will be lovers of
themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to
their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,
without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash,
conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God ..." (2
Timothy 3:2-5, New International Version).
The eternal quality marriages should exhibit
Marriage
was created to be both enjoyable and lasting. But modern society has
lost sight of the divine purpose for this important relationship.
Actually,
the marriage relationship should have an eternal quality. The apostle
Peter tells husbands and wives that they should regard each other as, "heirs
together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered" (1
Peter 3:7). And Paul urged all husbands to "love your wives, just
as Christ also loved the church" (Ephesians 5:25).
Also, through
their children, husbands and wives are privileged to share our Heavenly
Father's experience of personally guiding others to maturity
by their teaching and example. As we share His likeness (Genesis 1:26),
our children can share our likeness—both physically and in the
attitudes and character they develop.
When Jesus Christ returns to this
earth, He will help mankind understand the wonderful blessing of marriage.
But you don't have to wait until that
time to know and apply God's teaching.
 To better understand God's
marvelous gift of marriage, I suggest that you download, read online or request
our helpful and informative free booklet: Marriage & Family,
The Missing Dimension.
Related Resources
What
Are the Keys to a Happy Marriage?
Many would have you believe that the marital union is archaic and unnecessary.
Yet mankind's Creator designed marriage as the ideal relationship for men and
women. What fundamental principles can you practice to build a happy marriage.
Marital
Happiness: The Choice Is Up to You!
With so many people wanting instant gratification, it's no wonder so
many marriages end in divorce. Are we expecting more from our husband
or wife than we're willing to give? Can happy marriages simply be a
matter of choice?
Today's
Family: Defining Marriage
What is marriage? When and how did it originate? Does it really matter?
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