Genesis 2:23-25 (kjv)
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
When a Christian man and woman come together in a holy union, heaven rejoices. The reason for this joy is that God looks forward to the fulfillment of His purposes for marriage. God’s intentions remain the same even though society may change and human expectations increase or decrease.
When the first man was created, God saw the need to form a woman who looks like the man in certain ways. This was to make the man feel at home. God knew that only someone who was a little different to Adam would fulfill the purpose. The moment God made Eve, He approved the institution of marriage. God always has a purpose for everything He creates or approves.
Mark 10:6-9 (kjv)
But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are 3,no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
So the question still remains, what is the main purpose of getting married? What are the purpose of marriage in Christianity today? What is God’s main purpose in Christian marriage?
Here is what the Bible about the purpose of marriage:
1. To End the Reign of Loneliness
One of the major reasons for marriage is to give the believer a companion. A companion is somebody we trust enough to go with us on our journey. Marriage is indeed a journey to fulfilling the will of God for our lives. Marriage opens several doors when we get it right. We need a good friend or companion to help us overcome the loneliness we might feel from time to time.
No matter how independent we look, God is wise and knows that our inner self yearns for companionship. That’s why Adam heaved a sigh of relief when God brought Eve. It was the end of his lonely life in the garden. The beauty of the Eden, colorful fruits and amazing animals were no potent cure to the loneliness that crushed Adam’s soul. It was refreshing to have another living soul in the garden.
Genesis 2:23 (kjv)
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
2. To Birth Godly Children in a Stable Home
God wants to shine His light and give hope to the dark world. One of the means of achieving this purpose is marriage. A Christian marriage is expected to be godly. This provides the right environment for raising godly children (Malachi 2:15). Only a godly couple can produce the right atmosphere. When children learn from the right source, they grow up replicating those same virtues. Imagine a world where a quarter of all families come from Christian homes. It would be a place of light and love.
God’s command to be fruitful and multiply is more about raising kids who will dominate the world for Christ. God wants children who will be bold in their faith and go further than their parents. That’s why parents must teach their children to know God better, and confidently use their gifts and talents to the glory of God and the good of humanity. A home that grooms such children is a blessed one.
Psalm 127:4-5 (kjv)
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. [5] Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
3. To Provide Physical and Emotional Comfort
Marriage provides the approved place for physical and emotional comfort. Sex outside marriage isn’t the will of God. One of the main purposes of marriage is to make sex take place with the right person, in the right place and at the right time. Sex without proper preparations can lead to many unpleasant experiences. A couple who chooses to have sex daily won’t have guilt or condemnation knocking on their hearts. They feel safe even without knowing that God made sex safe for married people only.
Married couples must find fulfillment in physical intimacy with their partners. It is the gift and command of God. Sex shouldn’t take place outside the marriage circle. The thought of adultery or extramarital affairs shouldn’t come up in a Christian marriage. God has given us our husbands or wives to provide physical and emotional satisfaction for us. This provision of God should be enough for both parties.
Hebrews 13:4 (kjv)
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
4. To Give Protection for Both Spouses
Marriage acts as a form of spiritual and moral protection for couples. Most of the temptations people face in life come from the desires of the mind and body. The idea to take what doesn’t belong to us makes life itself full of tempting sights. The new life we have in Christ takes care of many inner desires and actions. However, there’s the temptation to make decisions or take actions that may put our life, marriage or family at risk. This is where our spouses come in. God can use them to get us out of the traps of the enemy.
The presence of a spouse and the fact that you’re married can help in overcoming sexual temptations. No one wants to hurt their partner’s feelings. Even when the temptation is strong, the thought of breaking another’s heart will reduce the power or that temptation. It is the duty of husbands and wives to protect each other and be available to each other as much as they can. Marriage is a powerful protection strategy from many unnecessary scandals.
Genesis 20:16 (kjv)
And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
5. To Produce Character Transformation
Marriage is a union between two people from different backgrounds. They probably haven’t known each other since childhood. Even if they did or have dated for years, there’s still so much to know about each other. It takes a lot to live with another person. However, the new life we have in Christ will enable us to work things out eventually.
Sometimes, some areas of our lives remain untouched by grace. Marriage is the quarry where God molds us to shape. As we make deliberate efforts to love our spouses unconditionally, we become better people. The adjustments and corrections we make in our lives are the chisels God uses to remove the character flaws in our lives. Couples who understand these things will live happy and long marital lives together.
Colossians 3:18-20 (kjv)
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
Finally, marriage is God’s plan for all humanity. Believers must take care to get it right from the beginning so as to fulfill the main purpose of getting married. While our choices of partners differ, we must make sure to uphold God’s purpose in marriage. The blessings of God rest on Christians homes that practice what the Bible says about marriage.