The home is one of God’s three divinely approved institutions. The church and government are the other two. It is through the act of marriage that a home is started. How can one have a home (marriage) that is honorable before God?
Marriage must be based upon the PRINCIPLES of God’s word. Man may change his idea and concept of marriage and the home. However, God has not changed His principles since the creation of the world. Jesus reminded his questioners that it was from “the beginning” (Matthew 19:4) that God established the guidelines for the home. We must return to the Bible if our marriages and homes are going to be honorable. God’s word “lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:25). It does not change with the whims of mankind. It is not subject to the culture or tradition of man. It remains the same though thousands of years old. Let’s strive to have marriages that are honorable by following the principles of God’s unchanging word.
Second, there must be PREPARATION if our marriages are going to be honorable. Do we realize how easy it is to become married? In order to get a driver’s license you must obtain a book, study it, and passed an exam. Yet, there is not a test required to become husband and wife. Do we not need to put more emphasis on preparation for a lifelong commitment than we do for the ability to drive the highways? Israel was told to “prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:12). Aged men and women (Titus 2:3-5) need to teach the younger to prepare for marriage. Daniel purposed (prepared) that he would not defile himself (Daniel 1:8). Let’s make the necessary preparation so that our marriages will be honorable to God.
Next, part of an honorable marriage is PURITY. It should be the desire of everyone entering marriage to be pure. If a husband or wife desires to have a spouse who is a virgin then that is what they should bring to the marriage as well (Matthew 7:12). God says that He will judge the “whoremonger and adulterer” (Hebrews 13:4). Purity after marriage should be maintained as well. A man and woman who have become husband and wife are to be faithful to each other (1 Corinthians 7:2-5). Adultery is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) that will cause one to be lost eternally (1 Corinthians 6:9). Joseph (Genesis 39) and David (2 Samuel 11) are contrasts in the study of purity. Let’s us strive with every fiber of our being to remain pure so that our marriages will be honorable.
PERMANENCE is also necessary for marriage to be honorable. God “hates putting away” (Malachi 2:16). It is God’s plan that what He has “joined together” should not be broken apart by man (Matthew 19:6). One should not approach marriage with a figurative parachute that can be pulled at the first sign of trouble. It is necessary that one see that it is “until death do us part.” The only exception to this permanent relationship is adultery. This is the only God given right for a divorce to take place. Many take marriage too lightly! If they don’t like this one they can always get another. One man with one woman for life is the honorable way.
