Is it wrong to live together as spouses but not get married?

[~Anastasia~]

The system IS messed up. But no one can fix it quickly. And people have to live under it in the meantime. So questions about how to do so seem reasonable to discuss.

 

[Mountainmanbob]

No state certificate necessary.

The short of it being; there's nothing wrong with being 'married' without a state-sanctioned recognition of it.

It's a rough situation but, I think you to be wrong there.
We should abide by the laws of the land.
M-Bob

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Submit To Government (13:1-7)2

God is glorified and His will is fulfilled when you submit to His governing authorities. In 13:1a Paul writes: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing3 authorities.”4 The command begins with the words, “Every person” (pasa psuche lit. “every soul”).5 This includes believers and unbelievers, rich and poor, great and small, without exception.6 But Paul’s primary concern is that believers “submit” to governing authorities. The verb “submit” (hupotasso)7 means “to place oneself under.”8 After reading this blanket command, some look for exceptions. However, here Paul provides the general rule, not the exceptions. Of course, there are at least three areas in which a Christian should resist authority: (1) If he or she is asked to violate a command of God.9 (2) If he or she is asked to commit an immoral or unethical act. (3) If he or she is asked to go against his/her conscience.10 But when a believer resists authority he/she must be willing to accept the consequences (see 13:2). Submission is never easy and frequently there are grave ethical dilemmas.11

 

[Sammy-San]

Of course, the answer is YES. There is a problem,
and it's called fornication. Having sex doesn't make
you married. Marriage is a covenant in the sight of
God.

Even if you don't want the government involved,
you must include God. That means you still make
vows and are legally bound until death. Otherwise,
it's playing house.

I made that mistake about twenty years ago.

Why is marriage considered a covenant? The vows that take place during most wedding ceremonies are, but how is being legally married a covenant?

 

[John Hyperspace]

It's a rough situation but, I think you to be wrong there.
We should abide by the laws of the land.
M-Bob

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

1. Submit To Government (13:1-7)2

God is glorified and His will is fulfilled when you submit to His governing authorities. In 13:1a Paul writes: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing3 authorities.”4 The command begins with the words, “Every person” (pasa psuche lit. “every soul”).5 This includes believers and unbelievers, rich and poor, great and small, without exception.6 But Paul’s primary concern is that believers “submit” to governing authorities. The verb “submit” (hupotasso)7 means “to place oneself under.”8 After reading this blanket command, some look for exceptions. However, here Paul provides the general rule, not the exceptions. Of course, there are at least three areas in which a Christian should resist authority: (1) If he or she is asked to violate a command of God.9 (2) If he or she is asked to commit an immoral or unethical act. (3) If he or she is asked to go against his/her conscience.10 But when a believer resists authority he/she must be willing to accept the consequences (see 13:2). Submission is never easy and frequently there are grave ethical dilemmas.11

Unless I'm mistaken, they aren't violating any laws of the land. But the initial post is worded a little strangely so I'm not entirely sure. I was only refering to the Biblical side of the question, and presumed his situation was actually legal according to civil law.

 

[Dave-W]

Why is marriage considered a covenant? The vows that take place during most wedding ceremonies are, but how is being legally married a covenant?

That goes back to Sinai in Exodus. Where God married Israel. It was the Mosaic covenant and has been the example of marriage covenants ever since.

Suggest you read up on "covenant."

https://www.amazon.com/Discipleship-shepherding-commitment-Derek-Prince/dp/B0006XNN6O

https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Cov...8702324&sr=1-1&keywords=derek+prince+marriage

 

[Sammy-San]

That goes back to Sinai in Exodus. Where God married Israel. It was the Mosaic covenant and has been the example of marriage covenants ever since.

Suggest you read up on "covenant."

https://www.amazon.com/Discipleship-shepherding-commitment-Derek-Prince/dp/B0006XNN6O

https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Cov...8702324&sr=1-1&keywords=derek+prince+marriage

In ancient times marriage was a covenant.

 

[Dave-W]

In ancient times marriage was a covenant.

So why would now be any different?

 

[Sammy-San]

So why would now be any different?

Because it's an economic partnership. How is that a covenant?

 

[Dave-W]

Because it's an economic partnership. How is that a covenant?

That is not ALL it is. Sex involved, requires a covenant. Read the book on "discipleship shepherding commitment," last chapter.

 

[Sammy-San]

That is not ALL it is. Sex involved, requires a covenant. Read the book on "discipleship shepherding commitment," last chapter.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/covenant

an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do ornot do something specified.

 

[Dave-W]

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/covenant

That is a modern definition that has little or nothing to do with the ancient mideastern understanding of it.

Never let modern understandings cloud biblical truths. You have to go back to the original.

Another book that explains covenant really well is called "Torah Rediscovered" by Ariel Berkowitz.

 

[Sammy-San]

That is a modern definition that has little or nothing to do with the ancient mideastern understanding of it.

Never let modern understandings cloud biblical truths. You have to go back to the original.

Another book that explains covenant really well is called "Torah Rediscovered" by Ariel Berkowitz.

Covenant in an English word.

 

[Dave-W]

Covenant in an English word.

Would you rather I called marriage a Brit?

 

[Sammy-San]

Would you rather I called marriage a Brit?

Is that a rhetorical question?

 

[Dave-W]

Not at all. We, as believers must not be tied to current language usage.

If calling what the bible calls a brit a covenant makes one go to a modern English dictionary to find out the meaning, then the original meaning is lost.

 

[RDKirk]

Does that mean if I had sex with a prostitute that I am married to her?

I quoted the scripture. Make it mean what you want it to mean.

 

[Radrook]

The marriage certificate is required by law.
However, being legally married means zilch if the marriage is dissolved via mutual hatred.
Two persons can enter into a vow of matrimony before God by prayerful request to have the marriage divinely recognized and blessed. Such a respectful request followed by marital fidelity constitutes a legally established marriage and definitely not fornication.

However, since we live among others and others do expect legalization or they might be stumbled, then it is best to have the certificate. It also provides certain protection for the offspring of such unions.

As for divorce, again the papers mean zilch if the marriage has become one of mutual hatred.

In short, legality is far less important in a marriage before God than a mere signing of papers.
A loving mutually respectful relationship is what really counts and what transforms the relationship into what God considers marriage.

 

[trackstacks]

I'm coming to realize that A simple piece of paper is garbage. I work in the healthcare field I see many couples who cannot afford to get married because they need their medical benefits or their pensions but their commitment is true. It presumptuous to throw away you medical benefits or your pension just because some fundamentalists want you to. I am hoping that God is smart enough and merciful enough to understand the situation otherwise he is a monster and the Bible belongs in the trash can.

 

[Radrook]

In other words you prefer to tag God as a monster, view the Bible as garbage and hurl it into the trashcan rather than to lose your benefits?

BTW
Why are you telling us this?

 

[Mountainmanbob]

I am hoping that God is smart enough and merciful enough to understand the situation otherwise he is a monster and the Bible belongs in the trash can.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.



M-Bob