One of the things that we can lose sight of in our society is marriage as a foundation of a healthy culture. Marriage is only as healthy as the two people in it, which should be obvious. In the Roman Catholic tradition it is considered a sacrament, which makes it holy. Being a sacrament it is one of the sacraments that can only happen once. There is no re-marriage in the catholic church, only in the case of an annulment, which should be very difficult to prove for most catholic's. Of course marriage is also an institution and a covenant between God and man and wife. God makes other covenants with mankind, and God never breaks His Covenants with us, so we should not break our covenant with Him. In the New Testament marriage represents Jesus' relationship with his church.
The church is referred to as the Bride of Christ, and as we are called to holiness, a marriage with Christ as the head is called to holiness as well. When two people make a vow to each other, God is the witness, and whatever is said is recorded in Heaven, so to speak. Why is the marriage a foundation in society, because it represents Christ's relationship to His church. Marriage symbolises the holy union of God's Son and His everlasting covenant with humanity. Jesus died on a cross for our sins which provided access into heaven and forgiveness of our sins. We currently live in the time of the New Covenant, and this covenant is made visible by the Church. This is why marriage is a foundation, because Jesus is the Lord, He is also the Lord in a New Testament marriage.
As Lord, we are called to be holy and faithful (Hebrews 12:14) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. This is also true in a Christian marriage. Jesus loves and cherishes his Bride the church, in the same way that a husband is to love his wife. Husbands are not to lord it over their wife, there should be mutual submission and respect and freedom. Christian marriage shouldn't feel like a prison, if it does something went wrong. It is a sacred institution that should give strength to a society and culture and should be honoured among all people. When a Catholic sins he can confess it, marriages that are in trouble should repent, and of course it takes two to reconcile, but when you sin, you first have to be reconciled to God, then to your husband or wife, because your marriage is a covenant before God.
I don't mean to scare anyone, but two married people have a will to live out which is a part of their sanctification, and their way to holiness and Heaven. Marriage is not only a foundation in our society, but a foundation in your life if you are saved. God put you and your partner in that marriage, and He calls you to do your part. This is Mike.
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