So this came up in another thread and it is an important and relevant enough topic to deserve its own thread. I'm sure that most of the regulars here will agree that love then marriage then sex is God's normal and proper order for things, but for some marriage may be significantly more costly in financial or other practical terms than for others. The example was given of two middle aged people on disability who would end up with severely reduced income if they married. I'm also thinking of someone who may be severely in debt from previous medical expenses with more treatment in the future, and marrying (at least in some cases I believe) would mean that the new partner becomes responsible for that debt as well. So how do we as people who want to obey God and encourage others to obey God respond to situations in which people are committed and would marry except for significant practical reasons? I realize this can quickly become a slippery slope in which everyone finds some reason why they are exempt from the norm, but too often to not ask these questions leaves those already struggling and feeling marginalized feeling even worse or more hopeless. So questions to ponder (and respond or this will be a really short thread):
1) What makes a marriage marriage enough so that marital relations between two people are right and not sinful in God's sight?
2) Is there a moral difference between a couple who is committed and never marries for practical reasons and a married couple that feels forced to get a legal divorce for practical reasons but stays together?
3) Are love and marriage only for those who meet a certain set of requirements or circumstances?
4) How do we view committing to unknown misfortunes in a relationship differently than knowingly entering into a difficult situation? Is one more of a commitment than the other?
5) How do we promote obedience to God and show support and compassion for people in this kind of difficult relationship circumstances?
1) What makes a marriage marriage enough so that marital relations between two people are right and not sinful in God's sight?
2) Is there a moral difference between a couple who is committed and never marries for practical reasons and a married couple that feels forced to get a legal divorce for practical reasons but stays together?
3) Are love and marriage only for those who meet a certain set of requirements or circumstances?
4) How do we view committing to unknown misfortunes in a relationship differently than knowingly entering into a difficult situation? Is one more of a commitment than the other?
5) How do we promote obedience to God and show support and compassion for people in this kind of difficult relationship circumstances?