"I do!" is the famous pledge at marriage between a man and a woman on their wedding day, uttered by both proclaiming their commitment to one another for life. Lifelong is the intent, defined "as long as you both shall live." God is the creator of all things, including marriage and and its lifelong plan. Death dissolves that union, allowing one to marry another. Through God, marriage can be the lifelong love story that God created most of us for. God created sexual passions! He knows we are best fulfilled sexually in marriage because he designed us to thrive in the foundation of commitment. Marital bliss is much more than just sexual. Oneness is created through bonds of communication, friendship, and love.
I know it is 2024 and some say "Why marry? How can you teach to wait for marriage before being sexual?" My response is, "Why not?" Let's consider what we see happening in the world around us: divorce rate stays higher than in the past, teenage pregnancy is high, abortion rates are high, single parent family numbers are surging, people report higher rates of loneliness, and suicide is growing. Maybe as a society we are missing something? This is all in the background of marriage being chosen less, honored less and lived less the way God intended. The consequences of these attitudes are seen beyond our borders as well. As we derail God's plan, humanity pays a price.
Here are some scriptures to think about:
Hebrews 13: 4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Genesis 2: 24 (and quoted in Ephesians 5: 31) For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Ephesians 5: 25-33 Read the whole passage - it's worth it!
Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
