October 11 – LD 41, Day 4: Marriage, A
Foundational Institution
by Pastor Steven Key
Amos 3:3: "Can
two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Christ’s presence in our
marriages is tremendously important. Marriage is foundational to all of
society, including the church. It is the fundamental institution of society. It
is the presence or absence of Christ in our marriages that determines in large
measure the spiritual welfare of ourselves and our
children, of our church and school, as well as our nation and culture. If
marriage is sealed in Him, and lived with Him and His Word at the center, a man
and woman assist each other on the way to heaven, glorify their Redeemer, and
enjoy marriage as the most blessed relationship God has established. But at the
same time, every marriage that is not sealed in Christ, every marriage that is
not lived upon the foundation of Him Who alone is life, and Whose Word alone
brings blessing and joy, is a marriage that can do nothing but defile that holy
institution which God established at creation. Two must be one, one also in the
faith.
The question of Amos 3:3
is rhetorical, with an obvious answer, “Of course not!” Notice that the
question is not one of permission, “May they?” It is a question of ability —
“Can they?” It is impossible for two to walk together, except they are one in
the faith.
The Catechism speaks of holy
wedlock, or purity in single life which upholds the sanctity of that holy
institution of marriage. Marriage is indeed holy, set apart by God as a special
institution for His people. It is a picture of the bond that exists between
Christ and His Church (Eph 5:32). The inspired apostle is given to see marriage
as a shadow of the heavenly. The bond between a God-fearing husband and his God-fearing
wife shows a reflection of the holy and unbreakable bond between Christ and His
Church. This is our perspective exactly because our Lord Jesus Christ left His
Father in heaven to cleave to His Bride, indeed, to purchase
her with His own precious blood, and thus to become one flesh with her. He did
so as a tremendous, even indescribable and unfathomable, act of His love. As He
continues His work in us by His Holy Spirit, sanctifying us to His glory, our
Christian marriage becomes a reflection of the beauty of that eternal love.