A recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 39% of Americans (nearly four out of ten) believe that marriage is becoming obsolete. This is up from 28% in 1978. As a society, a percentage this high is shameful. But anymore, sadly, it is unsurprising.
Let us not forget the admonition to respect the institution of marriage:
“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).
Why are so many people failing to honor marriage and are instead calling it obsolete? To answer that question, we first need to understand the fundamentals of marriage.
Marriage began in the beginning with Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:24). From that point forward, man has continued the practice of marriage from generation to generation. Jesus affirmed that marriage will be around (and, therefore, relevant; not obsolete) as long as this earth stands, for it is not until “the resurrection” when men and women “neither marry nor are given in marriage” (Matthew 22:30). Therefore, we must hold marriage in honor just as much now as those who lived centuries ago.
There are two points we must remember about this ancient, universal, and enduring relationship:
- First, marriage was instituted by God – When Jesus was asked about marriage, He responded, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become on flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). God joins a man and woman in marriage, just as He did with Adam and Eve in the beginning. Marriage is not a social custom or a legal contract. It is a relationship that has been divinely established.
- Second, marriage is a covenant relationship between a man and a woman – One of the reasons the prophet Malachi rebuked the people was because of their sins against their wives: “Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant” (Malachi 2:14). A covenant is an agreement between two parties. When a man and woman marry, they make a life-long commitment to one another. This is not to be taken lightly, as the only causes that would allow one to be released from their commitment are death or infidelity on the part of one’s spouse (Romans 7:2-3; Matthew 19:9).
We can see that marriage is a divine institution wherein one makes a life-long commitment to his or her spouse. So why do so many people say marriage is becoming obsolete? It comes down to the fact that they do not respect God (the one who instituted marriage) and they are self-centered (refusing to commit their life to another).
Pride and self-centeredness take many forms. One example is in the dishonoring of marriage. We must learn to humble ourselves, trust in God and His plan, and put others ahead of ourselves.
