The Marriage Gate

Today sexual immorality is prevalent in all areas of society: even the church.  There is a gate that will keep this sin out of one's life, home, church and community.  Hebrews 13:4 [amp.] says, 'Let marriage be held in honor (esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all things.  And thus let the marriage bed be undefiled (kept undishonored); for God will judge and punish the unchaste [all guilty of sexual vice] and adulterous.'  Marriage between a man and a woman, when honored, will keep all sexual sins at bay.

Marriage is a God idea, from the beginning with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21-25).  Marriage between a man and a woman only, is a covenant.  Father God is a covenant keeping God: so should we with our marriage covenant.  With any covenant both parties have a responsibility to do, for the benefits are experienced.  Ephesians 5:25 says, 'Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.'   A selfless love; looking for ways to better one's wife.  The wife has her part to do also, but the man is the head.  So when it comes to maintaining this gate, starts with the man.

Honoring marriage in all things.  Happens when one esteems, cherishes, values and jealously guards their marriage always.  1 Peter 3:7 says, 'Likewise, husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.'   Anything that would violate honoring one's wife, either by what one watches, listens to or presents themselves: publicly or privately.  A good rule of thumb is to ask oneself.  "How does this decision or action affect my marriage?"  And if we are really walking in the love of God.  One asks, "How does my actions or appearance, affect other marriages?"  In a pure, holy and honorable way?  The world consistently ponds our flesh to lust after, not love; in thoughts, words and eventually actions.  Yielding to the world and flesh defiles the marriage bed.  One cannot control every situation or environment.  However self control is a fruit of the born again child of God (Galatians 5:23).

Now the fear of the Lord part in Hebrews 13:4 is this.  Adulterers and other sexual sins willingly committed will be judged.  1 Corinthians 6:9,10 [amp.] says, 'Do you not know that the unrighteous and wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, not those who participate in homosexuality, ...... will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.'  Those who knowingly defile their marriage, are not going to heaven.  Jesus took honoring marriage a step further.  In Matthew 5:28 Jesus said, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart."   It all starts in the heart, where the Judge only can see.  The consequences are eternal, unless there is a complete change.  Honoring marriage today will bring blessings to the next generation and not judgement.

Raise this Gate
Remove the shame