“Why is something like marriage, that should be so good and so important in a fallen world, why is it so painful and difficult?” That’s what Tim Keller asks in his book, The Meaning of Marriage. He went on to explain that the biblical doctrine we call sin has something to do with why marriage is so difficult.
“Why is love and marriage unnatural?” question of culture. Well, imagine wanting to play professional baseball and saying, “Shouldn’t it be so hard to hit a fastball?” Marriage takes work. Why should it be easy to live with another person in light of everything wrong with our own personality?! No, marriage is not easy, but it is important. We recently discussed how June is considered Fidelity Month, a month devoted to fidelity to God, marriage, and country. In a world that doesn’t seem to value marriage, let’s take a look why fidelity is important in marriage
Fidelity Month, Pillar Two: Fidelity to Marriage
What is Fidelity Month?
There are a million things we can and should do to restore the faith of our people, and begin to heal the terrible division in our county, but I want you to join a small part. As my Facebook friends know, with the authority granted to me by no one else, I have declared June “Fidelity Month”—a month dedicated to the importance of faithfulness to God, spouse and family, our country, and our communities…I would appreciate it if you and any organization you belong to, or have influence over, would recognize and celebrate Fidelity Month.
Why Faithfulness is Important in Marriage
One of the most common questions we get at Care Net is, “Why focus on marriage?” Well, the question is more like, “What does marriage have to do with abortion?” or “Why don’t you just stick to saving babies?” It is because we focus on saving babies that we focus on the importance of marriage.
The truth is, 85% of abortions are among unmarried women. The decades-long decay of marriage has created the biggest factor in abortion. Most said to be married selfish rather than selflessness. Not contented? Just get a divorce. Move on, no big deal! But, the Scriptures tell us otherwise about marriage. Marriage is important. Why? Because God created it. And the commitment, sacrifice, and loving example it shows is also important—not just to you and your spouse—but to God. Although marriage is not easy, it is important to you, your children, and the Pro Abundant Life movement.
Fidelity in marriage is important to you.
According to Harvard University Health, married people tend to live longer, have a lower chance of depression, have fewer strokes and heart attacks, and they tend to receive early diagnosis and treatment for diseases. “Marriage has the power to set the course of your entire life. If your marriage is strong, even if all the events in your life around you are full of problems and weaknesses, it doesn’t matter.” That’s another Tim Keller quote from The Meaning of Marriage. I recommend that book! The point is, you marriage is important to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Fidelity in marriage is important to your children.
Your kids are watching. As a husband or wife, your children always learn what marriage looks like from the example you set. No, the goal should not be perfection. But, if you value your marriage, it will set your children the example they need. What should you do to set the best example for your children? Keep date nights, spend time together, and make each other a priority each week. Over time, your children will notice that you value your marriage. In turn, they will appreciate the marriage.
Fidelity in marriage important to the Pro Abundant Life movement.
Marriage is God’s idea. Yes, the divorce world seems fine. But, we know that marriage and the risk of abortion are related. Research clearly shows that abortion is more likely to occur outside of marriage. Without a stable marriage, abortion will continue. As Roland Warren, President and CEO of Care Net, says, “When the pro-life movement leaves marriage and fatherhood out of the conversation, we help create the very conditions we’ve spent decades trying to reduce: out-of-wedlock births, fatherlessness, and family breakdown.” The work of Pro Abundant Life movement does not end when the baby’s life is saved from abortion; that’s where it starts. Let’s commit to practicing faithfulness in marriage.
