Why should we want to be legally recognized as married?

[Arriving]

i'm just thinking, wouldn't it make more sense to get married without the government getting involved. I think marriage is a commitment, not a legal contract. Since when are christians supposed to try to get the government involved with their personal/religious choices and lifestyles? shouldn't we mind our own buisiness and avoid being affiliated with the govt. (while still obeying the law)

 

[Cordy]

Getting married by law does not change it from a commitment to a contract. It simply means that the government recognizes your marriage. It is a way of keeping order in society.

I think Christians should get involved in government. We need leaders who are listening to God’s direction when leading nations.

 

[BigNorsk]

Would you tell me what you think you gain by not having a legally recognized marriage and why that would better provide for and protect your family?

Marv

 

[Million Pieces]

We are commanded to obey the laws of our governments, whom God has established. Our governments require legal documentation of marriages, so we are bound by our obedience to God to comply.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Not getting married might help if you want to get the government to pay for your children. Other than welfare benefits I don't know what you hope to gain by not getting married. Are you ashamed of her that you would not want her to legally be your wife?

 

[FLANDIDLYANDERS]

We are commanded to obey the laws of our governments.

We are not.

We are commanded to submit to the laws of the land. This means we can chose to obey or not, but we must accept the legal consequences, even unjust ones!

I'm not sure that the goverment was ever involved in my marriage, but I'm sure glad it approved our divorce and child arrangements!

 

[lottepotte]

We are commanded to obey the laws of our governments, whom God has established. Our governments require legal documentation of marriages, so we are bound by our obedience to God to comply.

Does Canadian law require marriage? If yes, this would be really interesting

 

[Rebekka]

We are not.

We are commanded to submit to the laws of the land. This means we can chose to obey or not, but we must accept the legal consequences, even unjust ones!

That's true. And in case a law is immoral, we are obliged to disobey that law - but we must accept the legal consequences (i.e. if breaking the immoral law means that you're sent to prison, then you must accept the prison sentence. I can't think of an immoral law right now, but in nazi Germany there would have been loads of examples. Or Antigone, who had to obey the godly law to bury her brother, even though her city's law said that she would be put to death for that. She submitted to both laws and disobeyed the city law, knowing what price she had to pay for it.)

(This has nothing to do with marriage, though, because it is by no means immoral that we're required to have a marriage certificate if we're married.)

BTW it's easier to avoid bigamy if the state knows who's married and who isn't - it's much harder for a pastor/priest/etc. to know if someone hasn't been married before.

 

[lottepotte]

i'm just thinking, wouldn't it make more sense to get married without the government getting involved. I think marriage is a commitment, not a legal contract. Since when are christians supposed to try to get the government involved with their personal/religious choices and lifestyles? shouldn't we mind our own buisiness and avoid being affiliated with the govt. (while still obeying the law)

I am very convinced that legal marriage is not for governments but for couples good . This gives benifits in many ways and this is also a way you take responsibility. This is one of the ways to commit to your partner (legally). Marriage is no doubt protecting young people from getting hurted (encluding children, who are given birth). We can never be 100% sure what other people have in their hearts, we do not know even our own hearts 100% . Yes, real contract and commitment is a hearts business, but taking step to marry legally shows pretty good the commitment the person has in the heart. You, getting married as a Christian, are also takeing responsibility for young people, showing them a good excample.

For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men (2 Corinthians 8:21)

 

[Ari5]

SO if we wouldnt' get married, you think living together is what God would want? I don't think so. Ari

 

[JulySheMustFly]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that not all legal marriages are marriages in God's eyes and not all marriages that God acknowledges are acknowledge marriages to the state.

I know I'm in a minority position on this. I've done my study and that is where I stand.

 

[lottepotte]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that not all legal marriages are marriages in God's eyes and not all marriages that God acknowledges are acknowledge marriages to the state.

I know I'm in a minority position on this. I've done my study and that is where I stand.

I can agree with that, but July, your statement this way is too generalized though.

I also believe the marriage actually does not start with a legal registration, as childs life does not begin with birth and registration, but when God breathes His life into app. 9 months before birth. So marriage starts from the hearts desicions and covenant. This is why I think its wrong attitude when someone tries to separate people who are not married legally, but live together as a couple. I would not dare that. I rather encourage people to fix it also in the sight of people. And there are legal fictive marriages without real covenant between people. But these cases are exceptions I think.

 

[hepzibah77]

My brother in-law, as of last count, has not had his marriage recognized by the government. He was married in a Christian ceremony but I believe he doesn't have a government issued marriage license. Dh is not here or I would ask him what the reasoning was.

I do know that there are few men as committed to their wife as my bil.

 

[LadySaint]

Scripture tells us to obey the laws of the land as long as they don't go against him. I see you live in the US and marriage is recognized by a marriage ceremony here. When we don't obey the laws of the land as God commands, then we're not in obedience to him either. (sin)

God doesn't always put certain couples together but when they decide to marry, it then becomes God's will for their lives. It's important for a single person to pray for the right person and make sure it's the person God chose for them.

Romans 13:1-7 states: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

 

[Rebekka]

My brother in-law, as of last count, has not had his marriage recognized by the government. He was married in a Christian ceremony but I believe he doesn't have a government issued marriage license. Dh is not here or I would ask him what the reasoning was.

I do know that there are few men as committed to their wife as my bil.

That would be illegal in the Netherlands. Churches are not allowed to marry people who haven't been legally wedded in a civil ceremony first. They are not allowed, so they don't do it.