A Mommy and Daddy • Why do we need Marriage Part 1 - I think it wise to point out first what marriage is not

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Wayne's Discernment

Why do we need Marriage Part 1 - I think it wise to point out first what marriage is not

Many say the institution of marriage was given to us by God; Therefore like food it is something that we need. Granted, and we understand we need nutrients from food this understanding makes it easy to defend food. In this age we need to defend marriage so why do we need it why did God give it to us?

I think it wise to point out first what marriage is not And begin by pointing out that marriage is not something that people should be forced into - I would rather suggest it is something that should be decided in the heart, as a lifetime commitment - a contract not made under distress. I would hope that nobody would suggest charity is a bad thing indeed it is a good thing. We are to be charitable yet 2 Corinthians 9:7 says in regards to charity ... "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." But in regards to Marriage 1 Corinthians 7 certainly does not say all must marry. "It is good for a man not to marry". Someone who is not married is not alone with fellowship.

Some have said that because of finances or to escape taxes some must marry. This is one of the talking points for "Same Sex" marriage. I would disagree that marriage is a merely good financial planning. If the tax burden for unmarried people is causing such distress then tax system needs to fixed. Tax evasion is a crime, Taxes should not drive people into the institution of marriage. Although I believe this talking point to be baseless ... if there were truth to it we would see a reduction in the number of people seeking a divorce. There are far better methods for financial planning; Corporations, Trusts, Wills.

What about marriage creating happiness? or removing problems that create unhappiness - another "same sex" marriage talking point. I have pity for any-person who falls for this lie. Happiness does not come from a contract, nor does a marriage contract remove disagreements between people. Look at the words in sickness or in health - one would hope for health but marriage does not create it. If a marriage created happiness by its existence, nobody would ever divorce. I am not saying that marriages are without joy (see next post "The Beginning of a Family")

Happiness is something that needs to be created inside a marriage through personal growth. But one does not need marriage to learn how to get along with others. Getting along with others starts as a child and continues throughout ones life, married or not. If we could not grow without marriage then it would not be good for a man not to marry. One does not need marriage to mentor or nurture others, to give to others, or to sacrifice for others.

Marriage removes sin or gives liberty - this is a bit of spin. A marriage contract is a contract that places limits on liberty - it specifically bans activities outside of the marriage. Immature sex inside or outside of marriage is still a sin. There is also a cause and effect association;; One that it is so well know that it is, mistakenly, overlooked - It should not be- as it is a really important suspect of marriage - without it why do we need sex? Saying it is not possible to have liberty without marriage is not true - indeed many states have civil unions that allow for all of activities that are part of marriage. The often overlooked aspect of marriage tells us immediately what would go wrong in a marriage based on not to sin. The marriage commitment is much bigger than just receiving something like a liberty, it is a contract to give something for a lifetime.

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