Marriage, in the eyes of God

**CrunchyChristian** · Sep 25th 2009, 10:08 PM

I had a question come to me recently. I had never really thought about it before.

What constitutes being married in the eyes of God? If I was not married by a man of God (priest, pastor, etc.) am I still married? My husband and I were joined in the eyes of the law (by a judge) but how does God view such a marriage?

**th1bill** · Sep 26th 2009, 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

I had a question come to me recently. I had never really thought about it before.

What constitutes being married in the eyes of God? If I was not married by a man of God (priest, pastor, etc.) am I still married? My husband and I were joined in the eyes of the law (by a judge) but how does God view such a marriage?

... You are as married in the eyes of God as my wife and who were married in a church ceremony. I am often rebuked when I bring this point out that I am about to make but it registers as a marriage in the eyes of God. When God created Eve He presented her to Adam and there was no ceremony. When Cain was banished he took a sister, a cousin or so on and there was no ceremony. When Isaac went into his mother's tent and coupled with Rebeka, they were married. The case for marriage, in the eyes of God at the point of becoming one flesh is found in abundance in the Old Testament.
... The very moment you and your husband coupled for the first time you were married in the eyes of God, no matter who performed or didn't perform the ceremony. This position is so unpopular because it reveals just how much we love our sins. I tell just as Jesus would, "Go and sin no more." And may God bless your marriage forever.

**Clydson** · Sep 26th 2009, 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

I had a question come to me recently. I had never really thought about it before.

What constitutes being married in the eyes of God? If I was not married by a man of God (priest, pastor, etc.) am I still married? My husband and I were joined in the eyes of the law (by a judge) but how does God view such a marriage?

Greetings CC.

There are several things that constitutes a scriptural marriage. First, both parties must be free to marry each other. Free in the sense of being without the constraints of the law of the spouse, Rom 7:1-3. Second, both parties must be honest when entering into a meeting of the minds. There must be no lying or false testimony given as truth.

The ceremony itself is required only as the law of the land regulates. It does not matter if the ceremony is civil or religious.

If two people are not free to marry, according to scripture, there is no civil court in the world that can override the law of God and render them scripturally married.

***crossnote*** · Sep 26th 2009, 05:02 AM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

I had a question come to me recently. I had never really thought about it before.

What constitutes being married in the eyes of God? If I was not married by a man of God (priest, pastor, etc.) am I still married? My husband and I were joined in the eyes of the law (by a judge) but how does God view such a marriage?

Th1Bill is correct, I would only add that ALL marriages whether under the name of God or through a civil court, are in the sight of God!.

**CrunchyChristian** · Sep 26th 2009, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by th1bill

... The very moment you and your husband coupled for the first time you were married in the eyes of God, no matter who performed or didn't perform the ceremony. This position is so unpopular because it reveals just how much we love our sins. I tell just as Jesus would, "Go and sin no more." And may God bless your marriage forever.

Then what about pre-marital sex?

***TrustingFollower*** · Sep 26th 2009, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

Then what about pre-marital sex?

th1bill is correct. Pre-marital sex is no different. When the two people became intimate physically the first time they were joined in the eyes of God.

Another thing to add to the discussion. If a couple were both virgins before wedding either a church wedding or a civil ceremony, God would also recognize the marriage before they joined physically. Romans 13 shows that the government is in place by God and we are under the authority of that governing body. We are to obey the laws of the land and if the law of the land recognizes the marriage then God does too. Now in the case of same sex unions or marriages as they like to call it, God does not recognize them. This kind of a union is an abomination to God. God does not condone rebellion and out right sin.

**CrunchyChristian** · Sep 26th 2009, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by TrustingFollower

th1bill is correct. Pre-marital sex is no different. When the two people became intimate physically the first time they were joined in the eyes of God.

I was in rebellion towards God for many years and had premarital sex with someone other than my husband. Does that mean that I am married to that first man in the sight of God?

Originally Posted by TrustingFollower

Another thing to add to the discussion. If a couple were both virgins before wedding either a church wedding or a civil ceremony, God would also recognize the marriage before they joined physically. Romans 13 shows that the government is in place by God and we are under the authority of that governing body. We are to obey the laws of the land and if the law of the land recognizes the marriage then God does too.

That is what I was looking for. Thank you!

***TrustingFollower*** · Sep 27th 2009, 12:50 AM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

I was in rebellion towards God for many years and had premarital sex with someone other than my husband. Does that mean that I am married to that first man in the sight of God?

Did you ask for forgiveness? If you did it before you came to the Lord He is faithful to forgive all our sins.

**Longsufferer** · Sep 27th 2009, 07:01 PM

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
2 Cor 8:21

**th1bill** · Sep 27th 2009, 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

Then what about pre-marital sex?

... You will have noticed that I said the truth of my words oft caused me a great deal of trouble? This is exactly of what I spoke, premarital sex is an oxymoron! The very moment two people couple (have sex) they are, in the eyes of God, married!

**th1bill** · Sep 27th 2009, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristian

I was in rebellion towards God for many years and had premarital sex with someone other than my husband. Does that mean that I am married to that first man in the sight of God?

... I have never pretended to be more than just a teacher that draws very deeply on the Word of God and how it relates to my life. So I will not rise up and damn you into eternal suffering, I am also guilty of this sin, before I accepted my salvation. Just like in my case, you are, have been or will be forgiven of even this sin as soon as you either dealt with it or when you deal with asking God for the forgiveness required. I would suspect that God has already forgave you the moment you repented and returned to Him but if you are uncomfortable about it, God always has an ear open for you. Just find a quite and private moment and seek the council of God and repent at that time. I've never known God to get tired of forgiving His children. A quick read of my favorite Old Testament book, the Book of Judges, will illustrate my point here. God has always been and is forever at the door of your heart knocking.

***Moxie*** · Sep 28th 2009, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by th1bill

... The very moment two people couple (have sex) they are, in the eyes of God, married!

Hi th1bill,

I'm a bit confused by this statement, can you elaborate?

**th1bill** · Sep 28th 2009, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by Moxie

Hi th1bill,

I'm a bit confused by this statement, can you elaborate?

... I'm at a loss to elaborate! The facts are in the scriptures and they are very plain. When Adam was presented with Eve they were instructed, by God, to fill the earth, there was no ceremony, they lay down with one another and were married. When Cain was cast away by God he took a sister, a cousin or another female family and he would have lain with her and they were married. When Abraham sent his servant to seek out a wife for Isaac, Isaac went into his mother's tent and he lay down with Rebecka and they were married. If I elaborate any more than that I will be posting porno. The simple truth is that when a man lays with a woman and they do exactly what comes naturally, they are married.
... I pray that helps because it can go no deeper in a forum or accross the net.

***Moxie*** · Sep 28th 2009, 05:35 AM

Originally Posted by th1bill

... I'm at a loss to elaborate! The facts are in the scriptures and they are very plain. When Adam was presented with Eve they were instructed, by God, to fill the earth, there was no ceremony, they lay down with one another and were married. When Cain was cast away by God he took a sister, a cousin or another female family and he would have lain with her and they were married. When Abraham sent his servant to seek out a wife for Isaac, Isaac went into his mother's tent and he lay down with Rebecka and they were married. If I elaborate any more than that I will be posting porno. The simple truth is that when a man lays with a woman and they do exactly what comes naturally, they are married.
... I pray that helps because it can go no deeper in a forum or accross the net.

Thanks for taking the time to answer Bill.

**CrunchyChristian** · Sep 28th 2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by th1bill

Just like in my case, you are, have been or will be forgiven of even this sin as soon as you either dealt with it or when you deal with asking God for the forgiveness required. I would suspect that God has already forgave you the moment you repented and returned to Him but if you are uncomfortable about it, God always has an ear open for you.

Thank you so much, Bill, for sharing! I did come before the Lord not long after returning to Him and asked for forgiveness. I have been cleansed of my sins from that period of my life and thanks be to the Lord God Almighty am sanctified through His blood!

I did not return to the Lord until after my marriage to my husband. I had a lot of confessions to make, I can assure you of that!

Like you said, He is faithful to forgive.

Thanks again.