What exactly IS the purpose of marriage?

[GuacaMolly]

it's a quote by St. Irienious and I think it's spot on I think God cares more about our happiness than we give him credit for. I just think sometimes our timing is wrong and we fail to see the big picture. A freind of mine once told me that life is like walking backwards. You walk backwards and you can see everything thats behind you... but you can't see whats in front of you. how do you know your not gonna run into something or fall down a hole or something? Because you trust God to guide you

God doesn't want us happy, he wants us blessed and joyful. I do mostly agree with this post, but "God wants us happy" is sort of a dangerous catchphrase that just isn't substantiated. Happiness is usually based on our immediate circumstances--- hubby brings you flowers, yay! Hubby leaves dirty boot marks everywhere....not so happy.

It elevates us to the point of being more important, and God is there to serve us. It is also dangerous, because we may feel that if God wants us happy and we're not---then He failed.



There are some people that God calls not to be married---- definitely not the norm, but it does happen.

Plus, marriage shouldn't really be the thing to bring us joy.


Just for clarification: This is not in direct response to any one post, it just got me thinking and this is the result.

I got this mostly from this awesome, awesome message on lifechurch.tv

Craig goes on to explain this in much better detail than I ever could. There are also some wonderful messages on relationships, I'd be happy to share the link with anyone who wants it

Urban Legends: God Wants You Happy
http://www.lifechurch.tv/Default.aspx/p/39?SermonID=83&CategoryID=8

 

[Aedh]

Flashlight gave me this idea...


Discuss...

To put it simply

its the ultimate sign of dedication to one another.

 

[fishin4christ]

To me this verse right here is key. Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

 

[LonesomeTexan]

marriage is something that naturally happens when two people truly love each other. true love is selfless and when two people find someone that they only desire to make happy, true love is born. when you love someone so much that you're only desire is to see them happy, you know that there is something special going on. there are no sacrifices when you truly love someone. no amount of time and distance can ever break that love. true love lasts far longer than the precious time we have on earth.

 

[GQ Chris]

Friendship, Passion, and great Sex.. WOOHOOOO! lol

sorry I had too much coffee

 

[gottabemore2life]

To put it simply

its the ultimate sign of dedication to one another.

I know WHAT it is... but WHY?

Other than to make ourselves happy, why do people marry?

 

[gottabemore2life]

This isn't working, lol.

 

[GQ Chris]

I know WHAT it is... but WHY?

Other than to make ourselves happy, why do people marry?

To avoid Sexual immorality and also to reflect God's Glory and the marriage covenant is reflective of God's love for the church, Christ's love for the Bride.

 

[GQ Chris]

Also, marriage doesn't necessarily make people happy, go check out the married couples forum. Marriage makes people married.

Marriage is the making of two Sinners into One and all the difficulty that goes with that. But it's also a great blessing if you follow God's Word and you get with a bright person (not a dumb one) who loves the Lord and knows and understands and applies God's Word.

 

[Aedh]

I know WHAT it is... but WHY?

That is WHY to show how much they mean to each other ... ugh im going all mushy now ...

there are of course other legal reasons too .. but i dont think thats what your asking

 

[gottabemore2life]

Does God bring two people together? Do you think He calls us to marry certain people to help us with our spiritual walk?

 

[fishin4christ]

Does God bring two people together? Do you think He calls us to marry certain people to help us with our spiritual walk?

Of course. Theres no doubt about that. God shows us who is right for us and whether or not we choose to be with that person is our choice.

 

[GQ Chris]

Does God bring two people together? Do you think He calls us to marry certain people to help us with our spiritual walk?

I personally believe that God wants to give us the desire of our Heart, but it's up to us to seek his face everyday and walk by being led by the Spirit, and not just our emotions, always heeding what his Word says, and picking someone not just by outer appearance but what is in their Heart, Jesus said that you will know them by their fruits.

 

[mina]

marriage is a hard thing; it's not instant happiness and goodness. It takes work. It's often hard. But I think it's a good thing still. God doesn't exist to make us happy, but often He brings us things that will make us happy just because He loves us. I don't think it's His ultimate goal to make us happy though. But i do think the right person and right relationship can give you lots of happiness and that it's part of God's mysterious blessings. And that doesn't mean that it won't be a lot of work and dedication. And it will often make you unhappy too. But it's still a good thing that God created for people to enter into and enjoy and serve Him through.

 

[HannahBanana]

Flashlight gave me this idea...


Discuss...

In my opinion, the purpose of marriage is to declare your love and commitment for your partner to your friends, your family, and God.

 

[GuacaMolly]

God made us with certain desires for a reason. I believe that the vast majority of us will end up happily married.

A happily married couple can counsel better than a single male or female. It's much better for a man who is called to preach or even just hold a position in church or ministry to have a wife.

Not to mention that I think having a live-in mate to confide everything in and to back you up when you need it is in our nature. There is something about that close intimacy built on trust that can make us better people, witnesses, Christians.

 

[gottabemore2life]

God made us with certain desires for a reason. I believe that the vast majority of us will end up happily married.

A happily married couple can counsel better than a single male or female. It's much better for a man who is called to preach or even just hold a position in church or ministry to have a wife.

Not to mention that I think having a live-in mate to confide everything in and to back you up when you need it is in our nature. There is something about that close intimacy built on trust that can make us better people, witnesses, Christians.

I guess it's one of those mysteries of God... why he gave us this desire... I agree... I think it's innate, and obviously he gave us these feelings for a reason.

I suppose it all goes back to Adam and Eve. He created someone for Adam, so maybe it is his will that we find a mate.

 

[mina]

Well God created Eve for Adam , b/c He said it was not good for man to be alone.

 

[LonesomeTexan]

we all have the desire to be loved by another, however I wont let this desire to be loved determine who/when/if I ever get married. If you are marrying a person only because you want to feel loved by someone, you definetly are going into it for the wrong reasons. If I ever get married, the reason for it will be because I have found someone that makes me so feel so blessed to have had them be a part of my life, that all I truly desire is to hopefully make her feel the same way by asking her to spend the rest of my life with me.

 

[puffca]

Flashlight gave me this idea...


Discuss...

It's my question too. To a certain point I just don't think about it. You love someone? Marry him/her.

I don't know about the other books of the Bible, at least it seems Paul didn't teach the meaning of marriage.

I've heard marriage is a lesson for us to learn how to be faithful...

Well God created Eve for Adam , b/c He said it was not good for man to be alone.

If this is the only reason, then (purely logically) women don't necessarily have to get married.