(image mine)

Last night I heard of a situation of adultery in amongst some acquaintances. Two marriages torn apart by infidelity. Children all of a sudden shaken out of the comfortable thought that mom and dad love each other. Tragedy.

I spent the evening sick to my stomach. I spent this morning thinking about Hebrews 13:4.

A few short thoughts from that meditation:

“held in honor…” – How is marriage held in honor? Don’t “put” marriage in a place of honor or “acknowledge” that it has honor (like perhaps is the result of many a marriage conference), rather hold marriage in honor. Continually. Engaging in the battle to hold it in its proper place. Doing what it takes to see that it doesn’t lose its honor. Also, know why marriage is honorable. Study Ephesians 5 and seek to be astounded at the privilege to be in a marriage – the covenant relationship that reflects Christ’s relationship to the church. Marriage is about a covenant and a privilege before it is about a legal contract, lifestyle choice, and source of joy. Marriage is worthy of honor.

“be undefiled…” – How does one defile the marriage bed? Come to that time of oneness unable to truly unite because of hidden (or open) sin. Have a conscious that divides your mind from the moment because it is not free in Christ. In that time of venerability be holding back, be concealing, be keeping secrets, be void of interest in the endeavor because you have sought satisfaction elsewhere. Have indulged in relationships and fantasies outside of the marriage bed that serve to usurp the honor of the marriage and its bed in your heart. Have sought joy in some one or some thing other than the one the Lord has given you. Marriage is destroyed by those who willingly defile its consummation.

“God will judge…” – Who is the judge of these things? God. And as Hebrews 10:31 reminds, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Marriage is a drama played before the audience that is the Lord of the universe.

May marriage be held in honor, pure from defilement, and a source of glory to God amongst me and my friends. May none allow themselves to let marriage not become for them degraded, defiled, and a source of judgement.

- D.A. Carson

(Call to Spiritual Reformation, A: Priorities from Paul and His Prayers)