The Genesis Connection: Marriage and Morality

THE GENESIS CONNECTION: MARRIAGE AND MORALITY

Genesis includes the basic framework for God’s definition of marriage, which is also the basis of biblical standards for moral or immoral relationships. As presented in the Genesis Connection posts, Genesis establishes that mankind is special and created in God’s image. God goes further as He unfolds the scene of the creation of man and woman in Genesis 2, where the description of marriage is plain. It has four aspects. First, it was designed and defined by God, who is eternal and does not change. Second, marriage is between a man and a woman. Third, it was designed from the beginning to be fruitful, or produce children. Fourth, it was intended to thrive in a relationship with the Creator. On this last point, from the beginning God fully intended interaction, communion, speaking, and walking with the Creator. Sin separated our communion with God, which is one of the reasons why we need a Savior or Redeemer, to restore it. Plain and profound truths about marriage are repeated in many parts of the Bible. Regardless of human practices over time, God’s assessments of what is honorable or dishonorable, acceptable, or unacceptable, remain fixed.

Three of the Gospels quote Jesus’ statements concerning marriage (Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10:6-9, and Luke 16-18). John 4 addresses the subject through a recorded scene, where Jesus points out the absence of proper marriage to the woman at the well. The incident leads to her repentance and many in the town hearing the news of the Kingdom of God.

God goes further. Many books record God’s displeasure when marriage is treated badly. He also addresses immorality, which are sexual relationships outside of marriage. Romans 1:24-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 are good examples and are in clear contrast to biblical marriage. The understanding of biblical marriage is so fundamental that God uses immoral relationships in metaphorical form. For instance, chasing after other gods rather than Him is like chasing relationships outside of marriage. The presence of sexual immorality, which is the antithesis of biblical marriage, is also described in the last book (Revelation). It is a significant characteristic of a world that has gone bad – about to be judged the last time (Revelation 9:20-21, 17:2, and 18:3).

So where does that leave us today? There are numerous popular and socially acceptable relationships today that are touted as good. Many of them are outside of God’s definition of a marriage, and they are wrong in God’s eyes. Therefore, He requires a turning away from them (repentance), and repentance is an essential step in coming to Jesus Christ. These things have not changed for Bible-believing people because the Bible has not changed. Culture can certainly change and fluctuate. On this matter, God and the Bible, His Word, remain unchanged.

All of this points to God’s position on the sanctity of Biblical marriage. It was part of His original plan for people, who He created in His image from the beginning.

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Want more information? Read Genesis. Follow this series. Download the free APPs that are described and referenced at cwm4him.org. Look under downloadable courses and the hand emblem as a link to the APPs at the Play Store. Watch the videos at CreationStudyHelps YouTube channel for summary points from the APP and book (A Study of God’s Creation Filled with Purpose, Direction, and Consequence).

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