Charles Pogue
Marriage is an institution of God. When our heavenly Father made Eve and brought her to Adam He declared that a man is to cleave to his wife (Gen. 2:24). In Jesus’ response to the Pharisees about divorce, He said, “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mat. 19:6). The union between the husband and wife is thus a sacred one. God’s prophet, Malachi, wrote that God hates putting away (Mal. 2:16).
When men lose their respect for their Creator, they also lose respect for what He has said and instituted. It was only in Genesis 6 that we read:
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose (6:1-2).
Because of the hardness of their hearts, the Israelites of old were suffered to put away their wives with a writing of divorcement, but Jesus said that from the beginning that was not so. It was Herod’s taking of his brother’s wife that caused him to come under the rebuke of John, “It is not lawful for thee to have her” (Mat. 14:4).
Unfaithfulness in one’s marriage is a sin which, without repentance and subsequent loyalty to one’s spouse, will prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9). In other words, such individuals will be eternally lost. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” was one of the Ten Commandments (Exo. 20:14). “Thou shalt not commit adultery” is still the commandment of God (Rom. 13:9). Adultery is one of the works of the flesh listed by Paul in Galatians 5:19. Study of both the Old and New Testaments makes it very plain that men of old often paid little heed to God’s instructions regarding the most sacred relationship of marriage that can exist between a man and a woman. Unfortunately, not much has changed in that regard.
Increasingly, people are ignoring the need for marriage and instead select a convenient partner and live together outside of marriage and a commitment honored by God. Men with men and women with women work that which is unseemly, but are obtaining greater public and private support. As far as the commitment to marriage and promise of staying together until death do us part is concerned, it has been discarded by many like so much garbage. Divorce is rampant! One supposes that it began in the denominational bodies, where even religious people decided to ignore the commands of God regarding marriage, and now one may divorce and remarry for any reason, as many times as they please, and still be regarded as faithful members. Presently, the Lord’s church is no exception to that serious disobedience to the will of God. Couples that have been divorced from their original spouses without scriptural cause, and remarried (some multiple times) are accepted by congregations as faithful Christians. The men in such unholy unions are used to lead prayers, wait on the Lord’s Table, and as song leaders. What irreverence to God and His commands!
Yes, man’s lack of seriousness and respect for the husband and wife relationship established by God, is very prevalent and growing in today’s world. Recently a website, originally launched in 2001, was featured on the Internet. This site, www.ashleymadison.com, demonstrates just how low people have sunk in their sin and debauchery when it comes to marriage. Boasting 10,320,000 members, this is a website for men and women providing them with opportunities to cheat on their spouses. One review of the site reads in part:
www.ashleymadison.com is a married dating site designed specifically for casual encounters, secret romances and adult fantasy. The target audience? Men and women alike who are interested in being a tad naughty and stepping outside their relationship.
A tad naughty indeed! It is not a tad naughty; it is heinously and despicably sinful. It makes a total mockery out of God and His commandments. It shows total disrespect for one’s spouse, for himself, and for marriage in general. Furthermore, ashleymadicon.com and its subscribers, turn the vow to keep one’s self from all others into nothing more than a cheap lie.
In June 2010, there were an estimated 60.3 million marriage in the U.S., or 120,600,000 married persons. In other words, this offensive site claims that 8.6% of all married individuals in the United States are consumers of its filthy service. Sadly, while the claims may be somewhat exaggerated, they are probably not overstated by much if at all.
One obvious question that is raised by the foregoing is, “Are we surprised?” Shocked, yes, but surprised? Unfortunately, no! We live in a world where even belief in God is on the decline. Among those who believe in God, accepting the Bible as His inspired Word and rule book for man’s behavior is also on the decline.
