The Death of Marraige?

This morning, I was watching The Early Show and just happened to catch the beginning of one of their stories. I honestly had to walk away from it b/c it was so disgusting to me. I went back here to watch the entire thing before I started writing this.

They reported that HALF the women under age 40 think that marriage is becoming obsolete!!! Really? I think those women are lying to themselves. Deep down every person craves that companionship. Anyway...the story goes on to introduce two guests: Sexologist Dr. Logan Levkoff and relationship expert Matt Titus. Matt explains that marriage is an "artificial institution", a "morality cage for men", and says its "unnatural for us to be with one person for the rest of our lives". He honestly says that men were made to run around procreating multiples times a day!!!! Seriously??? Dr. Levkoff gets frustrated with him thinking that only men are trapped in marriage b/c she believes that its not "fun" for women either. She does on to say that, "Now that women are taking over the world, we don't need you [men] as much." The two guests and the two hosts go on to say that women used to need marriage for financial support or for sex. Both of which marriage is not needed anymore. Matt interjects with a point that marriage is ridiculous after the sex is gone, kids are had and we get old b/c what's the point in being married. Thankfully, the other three put him in his place saying its for companionship and a list of other things. I encourage you to watch it for yourself.

This was shocking to me. It might not be to some of you. I know I live in the Bible-Belt and life is pretty conservative around here. But, I can't help but wonder if these people are missing the point of marriage. Or are they?

As Christians (I want to just add that there is a huge difference between true Christianity and religion...please don't mistake the two), we believe that marriage is selfless, being able to serve someone else, a covenant with God, its about compromise, it offers companionship and children, and was designed by God. Is it hard? Yes! Love is a choice. And, it grows you as a person.

So, it seems that some (including the two guests on The Early Show) have a different view of marriage. They see marriage as...
"I never get MY way"
"I'm FORCED to do what I don't want to do and I'm REQUIRED to care about his/her feelings"
"I HAVE to love this person when they're old and ugly"
"I can have companionship with friend or just have a one-night-stand when needed"
"I can adopt or have my own via a sperm-bank"
"Marriage is something that society created a long time ago to fit the needs of their generation. Why would I get married when its not necessary anymore?"

Who is wrong and who is right? Depending on how you look at it, both sides can be right. If someone is not a Christian, should Christians really hold them to the standards of the Bible? Do we really expect them to be living their life for Christ? Following God's plan?

Marriage is incredible inside the boundaries God has set. The way He intended. Sadly, the world sees it differently. As believers, we need to be extending GRACE to all people. We don't give up what we believe or allow their beliefs into our family life to slowly break down what we believe, BUT we are called to love them in spite of their beliefs.

My favorite verse is John 3:17, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." We should live like this! Not condemning the world, but loving them so they see the grace and salvation that God freely gives. We need to stop focusing on telling them what they "can't" do and start explaining the freedom they can have in Christ.

The question we should really be asking is, "How would Christ truly treat this person?"

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