Marriage was divinely established in Eden and
affirmed by Jesus to be a lifelong union between a man and a woman in loving
compansionship. For the Christian a marriage commitment is to God as well
as to the spouse, and should be entered into only between partners who
share a common faith. Mutual love, honor, respect, and responsibility are
the fabric of this relationship, which is to reflect the love, sanctity,
closeness, and permanence of the relationship between Christ and His church.
Regarding divorce, Jesus taught that the person who divorces a spouse,
except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. Although
some famiily relationships may fall short of the ideal, marriage partners
who fully commit themselves to each other in Christ may achieve loving
unity through the guadance of the Spirit and the nurture of the church.
God blesses the family and intends that its members shall assist each other
toward complete maturity. Parents are to bring up their children to love
and obey the Lord. By their example and their words they are to teach them
that Christ is a loving disciplinarian, ever tending and caring, who wants
them to become members of His body, the family of God. Increasing family
closeness is one of the earmarks of the final gospel message.
Support is found in these Bible passages:
