What is a God approved marriage?

[SweetEnigma]

I have heard quite a few people on this board speak about a God approved marriage vs. simply a marriage of the state?? Are they the same thing? Are they different? How do you know God is approving of you marrying someone? Are there specific signs? Can a "God approved" marriage only happen between say 2 unmarried single virgins? Or does God have a plan for remarriages as well?

I'm just looking for personal input here, just curious as to how other christians view this topic. Thanks!~

[DaniHansen]

I think a God approved marriage is one where a wife respects her husband and a husband loves his wife and they partner together to raise godly children.

The rest is just fluff, IMO. Really. Virgin, non-virgin, first marriage, second marriage, has nothing to do with anything. Anyone can take the spouse they have, right now, and start doing it God's way. You made vows, whether before witnesses in the church, or witnesses in some court house, you stick to them, period, end of story. :)

[Followtheway]

Marriage would be the first time a couple has sex together. Most Jews frowned upon this way and held ceremonies and made sure there was a bridal price which would be more acceptable to the Lord.

[Uriel]

For many Christians and churches "God approved" marriages would be ones that are performed by an ordained minister and that envoke the name of God in the service. In other words a wedding service that has the couple state before God that they will keep the vows that they are making.

Also a marriage that takes place between to Christians, not one Christian and one non-believer, at the time of the wedding.

To Followtheway:
If a couple is married the first time they have sex together then there would never have been nor would there be fornication. Which is sex outside of marriage.

Now I will give you that the same that happens the first time a married couple has sex, as happens when a non-married couple has sex: they become one flesh. But the act of becoming one flesh does not make one married.

Vowing before the state or God makes one married not sex.

[matthew94]

Usually when people, like myself, talk about a "God-approved" marriage vs. a "State" marriage they are discussing the issue of divorce and re-marriage. You see, 2 married people can file for divorce and the "state" can grant it to them. The mistake many Christians have made is in assuming that this means they are divorced. Since God is the one who defines marriage, He is also the one who defines divorce. You aren't divorced just b/c the state says so, you are only divorced if God says so.

As an aside, just b/c a certain "state" says homosexual marriage is now legal, that doesn't mean that's an actual marriage in God's eyes. God defines marriage.

[Followtheway]

For many Christians and churches "God approved" marriages would be ones that are performed by an ordained minister and that envoke the name of God in the service. In other words a wedding service that has the couple state before God that they will keep the vows that they are making.

Also a marriage that takes place between to Christians, not one Christian and one non-believer, at the time of the wedding.

To Followtheway:
If a couple is married the first time they have sex together then there would never have been nor would there be fornication. Which is sex outside of marriage.

Now I will give you that the same that happens the first time a married couple has sex, as happens when a non-married couple has sex: they become one flesh. But the act of becoming one flesh does not make one married.

Vowing before the state or God makes one married not sex.

Actually fornication is generally used in the sense of early Rome where prostitutes were found in the archway and fornicatio actually means done in the archway.

It is actually found in the Talmud I believe, and there are three ways to marry a person and be joined in the flesh one way of course being sex.

Also in the Torah we are told that if we have sex with a virgin we are to pay the bridal price and have her as our wife.

[*Hope*]

I think a God approved marriage is one where a wife respects her husband and a husband loves his wife and they partner together to raise godly children.

The rest is just fluff, IMO. Really. Virgin, non-virgin, first marriage, second marriage, has nothing to do with anything. Anyone can take the spouse they have, right now, and start doing it God's way. You made vows, whether before witnesses in the church, or witnesses in some court house, you stick to them, period, end of story. :)


I agree with this comment. ;)

[revrobor]

I have heard quite a few people on this board speak about a God approved marriage vs. simply a marriage of the state?? Are they the same thing? Are they different? How do you know God is approving of you marrying someone? Are there specific signs? Can a "God approved" marriage only happen between say 2 unmarried single virgins? Or does God have a plan for remarriages as well?

I'm just looking for personal input here, just curious as to how other christians view this topic. Thanks!~

In order for a couple to know their desire to marry is of God they need to ask Him and listen for His answer. He will find a way to answer that those asking will understand. Simply because a couple stands before a minister and marries does not make it a God-ordained marriage. Most ministers are acting as agents of the State as the State marriage license signed by the minister and the couple will testify. The reason the divorce rate is as high in the Christian community as it is in the rest of society is because many Christian couples do not ask God if their marriage is of Him FIRST.

[miepie]

I agree with DaniHansen too....... :)

I believe a God-ordained marriage is a marriage where God brings two people together (and in our case there was an ocean between us), makes it possible for one spouse to go to the other, get married by a minister and no matter what happens in the marriage, God comes first and then the love for each other....... if it is a God-ordained marriage He will bless it abundantly, which He has done in our case.......

Love you,
Mieke :kiss: