Before the altar...part 21

Let’s consider marriage, and going before the altar. Never before in the history of man has marriage been taken as lightly as today, as if it was something that could be taken off and put back on. But in marriage, as when we are baptized, we come before the altar and we see the sacrifice that was made for us. On a grander scale this represents the bride of Christ, that is the body of Christ, and Christ as groom coming before the altar of God purely. What does the Lord’s Supper mean? It is a remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. What is marriage? It is a remembrance of who we are in Christ. It is not something that can just be taken off and put on. But how importance was, is and ever shall be was marriage to God? In Deuteronomy 21:1-23 and Deuteronomy 22:13-21 marriage was serious, and it was a union that must not be severed because marriages were a vow before God. Otherwise sin is allowed into such a relationship and the two must be accountable for themselves. Of course, earthly marriage symbolically extends to the bride of Christ. Our union to Christ must be taken seriously or it turns to a haphazard relationship and can lead to allowing in to creep into our lives, for which we will be held accountable. The altar of marriage is serious, and must not be dismissed easily. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean that we cannot enjoy marriage. Marriage was meant for us to enjoy and if that is the case then we can have joy in the relationship we have with Christ, much as husband and wife share joy in their relationship. The accountability we have is much like that of offering sacrifices that were expected to be pure and with a humble and contrite heart. When a bride is presented in marriage to a groom or the bride of Christ is presented to Christ, there is an accountability to be committed and persistent in the relationship.