How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians, two who are one in home, one in desire, one in the way of life they follow, one in the religion they practice . . . Nothing divides them either in flesh or in spirit . . . They pray together, they worship together, they fast together; instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another. Side by side they visit God's church and partake God's banquet, side by side they face difficulties and persecution, share their consolations. They have no secrets from one another; they never shun each other's company; they never bring sorrow to each other's hearts . . . Seeing this Christ rejoices. To such as these He gives His peace. Where there are two together, there also He is present.
(Hat tip: Al Mohler)
Mohler, in today's Crossway Commentary, writes that "The church has recognized three great purposes of marriage, and all three of these have been subverted by the sexual revolution and its aftermath":
- The procreation and nurture of children, if God should grant children to the marriage.
- A remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication . . . that [believers] might marry and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body."
- Companionship throughout life, through good and bad, comfort and loss, sickness and health, until death parts the husband and wife.
