Pastor Phil Smidt with CHURCH LEADERS published an article today about couples who choose to live together instead of marrying.
If you are a pastor, counselor or church leader, you will increasingly encounter unmarried couples who are living together. Cohabitation has become a more widely accepted alternative to marriage – with marriages being delayed or disregarded altogether. So, how do Christian leaders most effectively (and lovingly) counsel those who choose to live without marrying?
Turning to scripture is always best, because otherwise, the couples will usually interpret what is being presented as a matter of opinion, with which it is easy to disagree – or worse, results in an argument.
The CHURCH LEADERS article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, because marriage between a man and a woman is God-ordained and representative of the bride of Christ (that’s you and me), it’s safe to say that it’s clearly God’s best for us! Our children sense from an early age, and later come to a better understanding of, the concepts of true commitment and family – which are based upon marriage.
Some scripture to consider:
Genesis 2:24 (NKJV)
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Matthew 19:4-6 (NKJV)
“And He answered and said to them, ‘[h]ave you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female,’ and said, ‘[f]or this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore[,] what God has joined together, let not man separate.'”
Ephesians 5:29-32 (NKJV)
“For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
Hebrews 13:4 (NLT)
“Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!
