The Wonderful Gift of Marriage
Posted: Tuesday, January 01, 2008
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
When God created man, He saw it was not good for him to be alone. He then proceeded to make him a wife and thus originated the institution of marriage (Gen. 2:18-25). For generations, human beings in most of the world have valued and appreciated the gift of marriage. Sadly we have come to a point and place in time where marriage is held in low esteem. Currently there are above fifteen million couples in America cohabiting without marriage. Such is now so common that no one seems shocked about it.
Social liberals and the feminist movement have spawned a hatred and disdain for marriage that has poisoned the hearts of many young adults. Consider the following quotes:
* "We can't destroy the inequities between men and women until we destroy marriage" (Robin Morgan, Ms Magazine).
* "Marriage has existed for the benefit of men; and has been a legally sanctioned method of control over women...We must work to destroy it...the end of the institution of marriage is a necessary condition for the liberation of women. Therefore it is important for us to encourage women to leave their husbands and not to live individually with men..." (Nancy Lehmann & Helen Sullinger, Declaration of Feminism).
* "The belief that married-couple families are superior is probably the most pervasive prejudice in the Western world" (Judith Stacey, Chicago Tribune) (All of these quotes are from The Death of the West by Patrick Buchanan). Such anti-Christian, anti-marriage propaganda is a familiar theme on many college and university campuses. The adherents of this perverted philosophy seek young converts with evangelistic zeal. Not only is it perverse and evil, it is harmful and destructive to those who embrace it.
Maggie Gallagher, author of "The Case for Marriage," concludes her research by saying, "Over all, married people live longer, happier, healthier, less-depressed, sexually satisfying and affluent lives...because they are married" (As cited by Joseph Perkins in Marriage Has Wealth of Benefits). The pagan poet Homer wrote, "There is nothing more admirable than two people who see eye-to-eye keeping house as man and wife" (Ibid.) The Roman statesman, philosopher and orator, Cicero, insisted that "the first bond of society is marriage (Ibid.) His beloved nation crumbled and collapsed in large part because of the disintegration of marriage and family.
Jesus said, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they two shall become one flesh" (Matt. 19:5). The author of Hebrews wrote,"Let marriage be had in honor among all..." (Heb. 13:4). We who follow Jesus have good news to share with our world; good news about salvation and good news about the blessings of marriage. Whatever you do, do not neglect or devalue yours!