by Roxanne Dubarry

Created on: August 09, 2008

What does a single unmarried woman know about marriage? On what basis can she reject the getting to know you better principal of living together without marriage. It is not what she thinks about it that really matters. It is God's idea that people become married before living together.

In fact the LORD God performed the first marriage ceremony in the Garden of Eden. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from the man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: "This is know bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis chapter 2:21-24)

Plural marriages and concubines were common in the days of the Old Testament. However, in the New Testament the LORD Jesus Christ changed the requiremements for marriage. Jesus planned the marriage of his earthly father and mother. Joseph and Mary never even considered living together without being married. Men and women were stoned to death for premarital sex.

After he found out that his betrothed wife Mary was with child he wondered what he should do about it. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to maker her a public example (he did not want her to be stoned to death), was minded to put her away secretly.

He was instucted by the angel of the Lord in a dream. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit...." And did not know her till she had brought forth her first born Son. And he called His name JESUS. (Matthew 1:19-20,25.)

"But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew chapter 5:28. Jesus was referring to married people having sex with someone other than their spouses. But, He also condenmed sex before marriage. He condemns people to hell fire for the sins of fornication and adultery. Both sins are forgiveable but not condoned. (The gospel book of John describes the process of forgiveness of sins, but that is another topic that has already been addressed in previous writings.)

In the book of Acts Paul instructed Gentile believers in Christ Jesus to keep themselves from sexual immorality. Keeping themselves free from sexual sin applied to premartial sex also. (Acts chapter 15:29.) In the book of Timothy Paul outlined relationships between men and their wives. "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses as well." Not all men can become deacons, but all men can confine their marriage relationships with one wife.

What holds true for deacons and bishops holds true to the entire body of Christ. We are to follow their examples if we want to be held blameless before the throne of God. People who practice the sin of living together without marriage perish in their sins. If God does not condone living together before marriage, neither should we.

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