[Biblemat] S) SCRIPTURAL MARRIAGE, TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS AND CIVIL LAWS

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is the first portion
of a study from my files on this subject.  Use to the glory of God.

SCRIPTURAL MARRIAGE, TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS AND CIVIL LAWS  (1)

     The subject of what constitutes Scriptural marriage has 
occasioned a lot of controversy among the children of God.
The truth of God is being clouded by arguments based on
traditional customs, personal preferences, emotions or feel-
ings and civil laws.

     By Scriptural marriage, we are referring to marriage that 
is according to the Scriptures, the Word of God, particularly
the New Testament Scriptures under which men (human beings in general) are 
living today (Jno. 12:4-50; 1:17; Heb. 1:
1,2; 7:11-14; 8:7-13; 10:9; Gal. 3:23-25).  In other words, we
are alluding to that union of a male and female that is accord-
ing to the Will of God; a marriage that conforms to divine
principles.

     By tradition, we mean "the handing down, transmission,
giving over, conveyance of a story, beliefs, customs, laws,
teachings, ordinances, instructions, doctrines, precepts, from
one source to another, or from one generation to another by
word of mouth, or written, and the receiving of that which is
handed down orally or written" (Webster).

     The Scriptures speak of various kinds of traditions.  God,
in whose hand is our breath (Dan. 5:23), has His own teach-
ings, ordinances, laws and instructions.  These He handed
down to us through His Son Jesus Christ, through the inspir-
ed apostles and are now codified in the New Testament Script-
ures (Jno. 17:8; 13:;20; 1 Cor. 11:1,23; 2 Thes. 2:15; Eph. 3:
1-5; 1 Cor. 14:37).  These Scriptures are complete and final
(2 Tim. 3:16,17; Jd. 3).

     On the other hand, man, "whose foundation is in the dust"
(Job 4:19), has his own traditions, beliefs, customs which 
have been passed from one generation to another.  Many 
times, these traditions of men run counter to those of God
(Isa. 55:8,9).  To the extent that these traditions, thoughts,
and teachings of men contradict those of God, they become
vain, null and void to those who have accepted the sovereign-
ty and Lordship of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:18,19; Col. 2:8; Matt.
15:7-9).

     Moreover, we should be clear in our minds that our person-al 
preferences, emotions or feelings are not necessarily co-
terminus with the Will of God (Isa. 55:8,9).  No matter how
seemingly good or reasonable these are on any matter, they 
are subordinate to the Supreme Will of God in the New Testa-
ment "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4).

     Civil authorities from one society to another have their re-
quirements for recognition of marriages.  But what these 
"higher powers" recognize as marriage is not what God recog-
nizes as such.  Civil laws in most lands, for instance, arrogate
to themselves the power to dissolve marriages that have "broken down 
irretrievably."  But God's Word on the other
hand states, "...what therefore God hath joined together, let
not man put asunder" (Matt. 19:6).  By stating this, we do not
intend to minimize compliance with civil laws in marriage (and
in other areas).  The Scriptures say, "Let every soul be sub-
ject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God; the powers 
that be are ordained of God" (Rom. 13:1).
The only exception to this rule is when there is conflict with
God's Law.  In that case, we "must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).  
What we are asserting, however, is that a
union of a man and a woman which the civil law recognizes
as marriage may be nothing more than an adulterous relation-
ship in the sight of God (cf. 1 Cor. 1:28).

WHAT IS SCRIPTURAL MARRIAGE?:-- Generally, marriage is
defined as the union of a male and female.  (Of course, there
are man with what the Bible describes as "Reprobate minds"
(Rom. 1:28) -- who are now using "marriage" to describe 
"same-sex" relationships).  Scriptural marriage, however, goes beyond this.  
It is the union of ONE MALE and ONE FE-
MALE.  A "one male and one female" relationship (Matt. 19:4).
It is monogamous in nature and essentially heterosexual.  God does not 
recognize polygamous and homosexual relation-
ships as marriages.  Some traditional institutions may recog-
nize polygamy or polyandry as marriage, the Word of God
recognizes it as adultery (Rom. 7:2,3).  Civil Laws and church-
es of men (as in the case of the Episcopal Church in the Unit-
ed States, Anglican Communion here) may approve of homo-
sexuality as an "alternative choice of marriage."  But God says it is a "vile 
affection" and that its practitioners are "wort-
hy of death" (Rom. 1:26-32).

     Besides, Scriptural marriage is the union of one male --
who has never been married, or whose wife has died, or who
has put awayhis wife for fornication AND one female who also
has never been married, or whose husband has died, or who
has put away here husband for fornication (Matt. 5:32; 19:9;
Rom. 7:2,3).  In our male-chauvinistic culture (especially here
in Nigeria) the idea is swiftly gaining ground that it is only the
husband that may put away an adulterous woman, that the
woman has not right to put away an adulterous man.  Nothing
could be farther from the truth.  Our God is not a  respecter
of persons (Acts 10:34).  As far as marriage and its rights are
concerned, the right of the man is equally the right of the 
woman (1 Cor. 7:2-5).  Both the husband and the wife are on
equal footing here.  Just as a man commits adultery when he
divorces his wife and marries another woman, just so a wom-
an commits adultery when she  divorces her husband and
marries another man (Mk. 10:11,12).  What is good for the 
goose is equally good for the gander!!!

     What remains to be emphasized is that Scriptural marriage
is a life-long relationship.  "For the woman which hath an hus-
band is bound by law to her husband so long as he liveth...So
then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another
man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband be
dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress,
though she be married to another man" (Rom. 7:2,3).  "And
unto the married I command...Let not the wife depart from her
husband.  But and if she depart, LET HER REMAIN, UNMARR-
IED OR BE RECONCILED TO HER HUSBAND; and let not the
husband put away his wife" (1 Cor. 7:10,11).  The only except-
ion that the Lord allows is fornication (Matt. 19:9).  For any-
body to put away his (her) spouse for any other cause than
fornication is to cause her/him to commit adultery (Matt. 5:32)
And to cause anybody to err is to sin against Christ (1 Cor. 8:
12); and this is very grievous in the sight of God (Matt. 18:6,
7).   (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow the Lord
willing, JWS).
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