The importance of sanctity of marriage

In its simplest definition, the word “sanctity” means, “the quality of being sacred or holy.” The sacredness of marriage should be revered as a crucial expression of every spouse’s life. Marriage isn’t as simple as the uniting of two individuals through paper and law. It is a most holy covenant between each husband and wife and a covenant between that couple and the Lord. When done in the right spirit, every couple can have a God-fearing and God-favored married life.

The meaning of “sanctity of marriage” and how it is regarded by people is derived from the written Word of God. We often seem to forget that it was God Himself that created the union of man and woman. Marriage isn’t manmade like many other binding agreements and contracts of modern day. Marriage is as enduring as the creation of mankind, and God is the one who invented it.

“Therefore, shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Then, God blessed the first marriage between Adam and Eve.

What is the sanctity of marriage according to the Bible? Why is marriage considered holy? God performed the first marriage in the Old Testament, and Jesus confirmed the holiness of marriage in the New Testament with the following words: “Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What, therefore, God hath joined together, let not man put apart” (Matthew 19:5).

Marriage is sacred because its foundational truths are rooted in the Holy Word of God, and He made it clear that marriage is meant to be holy and should be treated with the utmost respect. That’s not an expired word. Time doesn’t have the power or the permission to shift or alter what God says.

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). People may change, and laws may change, but God remains steady and so does His Word. Marriage was sacred for Adam and Eve and it’s sacred for every husband and wife today.

Every marriage has a divine purpose; it has significance. It sets the union of two people and fulfills another divine purpose — to establish family, including children that are raised to love and honor God. When we marry, vows are established. Assurances are made, often before family, friends and an officiant. Promises are exchanged between the bride and groom “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, ’til death us do part …”

We mean these words when we say them. Most often, we are so filled with love and enthusiasm as we join our lives with that of our spouses, that we couldn’t conceivably imagine life without them nor think of abandoning or harming them in any way. We expect to enjoy an unending love with our chosen one and to grow old with them by our side. We believe we will be one of the successful couples who will defy the odds and defeat divorce and other difficulties. But as unfortunate as it may be, the reality remains that vows and hearts get broken every day.

It seems that when we hear of someone “breaking their marriage vows,” we immediately dissect the entire list of promises made on a wedding day and assume the vow to “forsake all others” was the one offended. But sometimes it is the “to love and to cherish” part that gets broken. When we love and cherish something, we treat it like we never want to lose it. We handle it with care, so we don’t damage it. We treat it like it’s sacred. As a way to keep our covenant with God and our spouse, we should never lose sight of the sanctity of our marriage.

Listen married friends — if you truly love God and cherish your spouse, treating them and your marriage with this level of reverence isn’t difficult. If God joined you together, trust Him to keep you together. Be intentional in your determination to honor Him through your covenant. A clear understanding of the real meaning of the sanctity of marriage and how God can make yours meaningful may be one of the purest forms of love; not just with one another but also with our Lord God.

Drs. Michael & Kendra Holmes are the senior pastors of Deliverance Revival Church in Byron, Ga., the founders of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC, the authors of the 31-day devotional, “Cross-Fire: Igniting Passionate, Purposeful, and Powerful Relationships” and guest hosts of the former television talk show, “The Marriage Circle Connection.” W.A.R. is an acronym for “We Are Royalty,” TM the official slogan of Royalty Relationship Coaching, LLC. Visit the website at www.RoyaltyRelationshipCoaching.com.

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