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The “Sexual Revolution” of the 1960’s and 1970’s raised questions about the value or even the need for marriage. The continued increase of the divorce rate, coming ever nearer the marriage rate, raises more questions. What about it? Can men and women freely cohabit as they choose without marriage? Yes, they can so choose, but can they share a bed (for 1 night or 20 years) and God be pleased with their union(s)? What saith Scripture?
The New Testament declares marriage—not ”living together”—is to be “had in honor among all,” and that the “marriage bed” (euphemism for the sexual union) is “undefiled” (Heb. 13:5). Sexual unions apart from marriage between a man and a woman (who otherwise have the Scriptural right to marry) is thus ”defiled” and dishonorable. All such unions are God-forbidden and identified as “fornication” and/or “adultery” (which, apart from repentance) will result in their eternal damnation (Mark 7:21; 1 Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19–21; Eph. 5:5; Rev. 21:8; et al.). This Law of God doesn’t apply merely to a few, but “among all.” The thrust of the entire body of New Testament teaching on the subject of sexual behavior is beyond debate: God limits the sexual union to marriage between a man and a woman who are Scripturally qualified to be married to each other (Mat. 19:9). If God had no such restrictive Law concerning marriage, adultery and fornication would be impossible concepts and behaviors, even as they are with all other animal species.
It needs to be clearly understood that any attempt to destroy the Biblical concept of marriage and the family is an affront to God and a rebellion against his gracious will. Modern times, modern philosophies, and modern situations do not change God’s beautiful plan for mankind’s sexual indulgence. Man was created superior to the rest of creation and the moral law of God is His means of enabling us to live above their raw and rude habits. What consummate folly is wrought by those who would reduce the ways of man to those of the wilderness, the alley, and the barnyard.
Yes, a man and a woman can cohabit without marriage, even as they can lie and steal. But they do so at the risk of their souls “For fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4b). As in all things, we must determine who we wish to please, ourselves or God. But whatever we do, He, through His Son, Christ Jesus, will be our Judge (Acts 10:42; 17:31)
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton TX, December 9, 1982, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From www.thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, proprietor, curator, and administrator
