“Shacking up” is not the Same as Marriage
Last Saturday, as my wife and I were driving back to our home, we stopped at a garage sale. We had a conversation with a younger lady there who was helping with the yard sale. She said something that I have not been able to forget. Somehow the topic of marriage came up, and I told her that Judie and I have been married for 54 years. Here response was, “Well my fiancée and I have been together for fifteen years, and that is the same as marriage.” WRONG!!!
Affirming a “truth” does not make it true. I am amazed every time someone thinks that their view of life and religion is the same view that God has about life and religion. The Creator of this world said, “It is not in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Even if an individual’s expression of a “truth” is embraced by the whole world such would not make it right. Not one man or all men together, can define the path of righteousness. To affirm that living together is the same as marriage does not make it true.
Marriage is ordained, and the relationship is holy and undefiled. Marriage is not some social arrangement which has evolved over the course of time. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and on the sixth day of creation He ordained marriage. When Jesus discussed this matter He said, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). Look again at His words. God joins a man and a woman together. Living together is simply not the same. For a couple to create an arrangement outside of marriage leaves God out of the matter.
Only the marriage bed is undefiled. The Lord said, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). Two truths are expressed in this verse. Marriage is honorable. God ordained the holiness of marriage. The other truth should be sobering to those who fail to honor this. God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Their bed is described by God as defiled. Could it be stated any clearer? Living with a fiancée for fifteen years is just not the same, yet many in America would agree with the words of that younger woman. Sex outside of marriage is fornication, and if it involves at least one married person it is adultery. How does God view this? What will God do about this? God will judge!
Our world is changing in so many ways. Our faith and devotion to revealed truth is being challenged in every way. The shield of faith will protect us from the fiery darts of the devil, but we must take the Bible, the sword of the spirit, and boldly stand and defend all that is holy. We are in the midst of a great conflict, and we must not cower in fear!