Why do we have marriage? Why is there such desire by those that can't marry to be able to marry? What is it about marriage that draws each of us into its clutches, even though the likely hood of failure is greater today than success and the results of failure are devastating? To understand the answers to these questions we need to discuss the purpose of having marriage and the value that we see in it.
Marriage is the platform that we have built society on since the beginning of time. It has only been when we have had secure families that countries have grown and stayed strong. The strength comes from the stability that a marriage can bring to its members both emotionally and physically. When you know that you have a place that you can retreat to and are safe, it is much easier to take risks when you are outside the home. This willingness to take risks translates to be willing to fail in exchange for the possibility to receive great reward for success. The more we are willing to take risks the more times we will succeed and receive big rewards, the greater are our advancements.
If we are emotionally successful and secure in a relationship then we don't worry as much what people think of us outside of that relationship. Marriage is the one relationship that is designed to be a permanent fixture in our lives. While friendships and work partners may come and go, our spouse has made a commitment to stand beside us regardless of what happens. This emotional life net is invaluable in any society or situation. To know that you have someone that has your back regardless of the situation allows us to stand up for what we feel is the right course of action. Even with the high rate of divorce there is no other relationship that has a better likelihood of supplying us with this level of support.
The reason that people pursue the prospects of marriage is that desire to find this level of support in a relationship. Unfortunately some who are not capable of fulfilling the roles of a biblical marriage are try to take the name of marriage and apply it to their unnatural situation in an attempt at acquiring this level of relationship. It must be remembered that this level of relationship can only exist when the union of one man and one woman occurs in a manner that unites them in a common commitment to each other to support and defend them in all circumstances. This blending of the natures of two opposites allows a merger to be created that can withstand the worst that can be thrown at it, if the two are willing to maintain their bond.
The purpose of marriage is to teach us that there is someone that is more important than we are. In accepting the marriage relationship with a desire to make it flourish, we must be willing to place our spouse ahead of ourselves in all aspects of our lives. Failure to accept this commitment is the major cause of divorce today.