When I enter into a marriage relationship I am not simply obligated to the church I am not simply obligated to the state I am now under a new covenant relationship with God A whole new set of stipulations comes upon me by divine authority. Most people in the Christian church recognize that marriage is instituted

of God

of society,

but a point that is so rarely acknowledged

is the second point about God's involvement in marriage.

Not only this God institute marriage, but he regulates it by his

commandments. Think about that.

Marriage is not a gift where God says to his creation, here's a wonderful thing, do with it what you want.

I'll ordain marriage, I'll institute marriage, I'll put my blessing on your marriage

but after you get married you work it out how you want to work it out

that you are free to do whatever you both agree upon doing in that marriage.

No.

God regulates marriage.

He doesn't just give it to us and tell us to be autonomous in how we work it out.

So we look to the scriptures to see the commandments that govern marriage.

That God's authority is over that marriage.

And a Christian who ignores or violates

the regulations that God sets down for marriage is a Christian who is acting in defiance against divine authority.

When I enter into a marriage relationship, I am not simply obligated to the church, I am not simply obligated to the state.

I am now under a new covenant relationship with God. A whole new set of stipulations

comes upon me by divine authority.

Again, his law proceeds not only from his righteousness,

...