Why Marriage Matters

We'll start with the secular reasons for why marriage matters and then end up looking at the Christian reasons.A new Rasmussen poll released just last week shows that more than 3 in 4 Americans consider marriage an important societal institution. A full 78% rate marriage as being important to US society. I have to say that I'm surprised the number's so high.So why do they feel that way then? Well, the benefits of marriage are numerous: from increasing financial health (as chart below reveals) to promoting child well-being, tying the knot can have a profound impact on individuals' futures.Married Couple Families Have Higher IncomesThe median family income of single men is three-fifths of the median married-family income; for single women, it's two-fifths. Even among single-income married families, the median family income is still higher than that of unmarried individuals.So, from a purely secular standpoint, preserving the traditional concept of marriage should be one of this nation's highest priorities, and particularly if you believe that we are a society that is now ruled by our own pleasure-seeking and materialistic, selfish ambitions.In other words, on second thought, you would think that secularists would naturally rise to the defense of marriage (perhaps even promote it) within the public arena because it only enhances their own true desires in this life for health, wealth, and happiness.The words "their own true desires in this life" is key though because while they might agree with us on the secular benefits of marriage per se, they differ dramatically with us when it comes to the spiritual benefits of marriage. This is exemplified in their persistence to legalize 'gay marriage' across the country.Proverbs 3:5 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end ther are the ways of death.Now for the Christian (spiritual) benefits of marriage.There are really so many directions I could go with this, but I think I'll simply sum it up with this... "When a couple speaks their vows, it is not a man or a woman or a pastor or parent who is the main actor - the main doer. God is. God joins a husband and a wife into a one-flesh union. God does that. The world does not know this. Which is one of the reasons why marriage is treated so casually. And Christians often act like they don't know it, which is one of the reasons marriage in the church is not seen as the wonder it is. Marriage is God's doing because it is a one-flesh union that God Himself performs."-- John PiperA quick search reveals more than 500+ Old and New Testament references to the words "marriage", "married", "husband", and "wife", which tells you all you need to know about it's importance to God.That's no surprise though. After all, Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church (we believers) are His Bride. The institution of marriage is an earthly representation, a microcosm, of the spiritual institution that we will enter into one day with our Lord and Savior.As my friend and brother in Christ, Ty, recently wrote..."It would be easier for people to realize/remember that marriage is an institution of God not the government, if the government were not involved in the marriage process. It belongs to the Church not the state."Amen!I recommend reading Genesis 2, Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, and 1 Corinthians 7 to help set the proper foundation regarding your understanding of the Biblical model for marriage.Why does marriage matter? Because it matters to God.Share