Marriage Ends with Earth

I appreciate how the Bible gives us a very down to "Earth" picture of marriage. Marriage is of this age and ends with this age. Jesus said it and Paul backed the sentiment up in 1 Corinthians 7.

1 Corinthians 7:32–35 (ESV) I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Paul makes clear the best and freest way to serve the Lord is apart from the responsibilities and duties of marriage. Now, I'm married and it is very easy for me to say this but marriage does not make or break your life in Christ. In fact, you can live totally for Him in singleness for life and its a better way to live (see 1 Corinthians 7:38).  Again, I realize how easy this is to say. I love my wife and my kids and I am rarely alone. It is a blessing to be married. 

One thing that absolutely drives me nuts is the number of single Christians who believe Christian marriage is some kind of ideal state of life. Does it have its benefits? Yes! You both have the Lord, the Word, the Holy Spirit and clear instructions on how to treat each other. Unbelievers have to guess at that stuff and see what may or may not work. But the truth is, marriage is of the Earth and is going to stop with the Earth. 

Jesus said, "For when the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage. In this respect they will be like the angels in heaven." Matthew 22:30 (NLT)

There is no marriage in heaven.

Some theologians believe that's also why there's no death in heaven... (preacher joke).

Three times in 1 Corinthians 7 Paul puts "marriage" and "worldly things" in the same sentence. Getting the picture?  This institution ends between us humans when the Lord comes to raise us from the dead. Perhaps you're glad about that. It's okay to be. Marriage is hard and Paul says as much in this same chapter... "those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that." (Verse 28).

Why is this good to hear? So that we stop putting pressure on ourselves to "get married" or have that perfect "Christian marriage." There is no such thing.  Stop chasing it and stop getting down because you don't have it. I'm not suggesting you marry a non-believer, that is clearly against God's Word. But I am suggesting that you give your marriage a break or enjoy your singleness serving the Lord wholeheartedly. 

In the end, there's only going to be one perfect marriage that will truly make you happy. Its the marriage to take place in heaven between the Lord and His Church. We will be fully known, unashamed, sinless, spotless, and full.  

That's worth waiting for. 

It's worth dying for.

PRAYER:

Father, keep me focused on serving you with all I have. I thank You for Jesus' soon return. Keep me focused on His coming and working in His field. Amen.