The Common Grace of the Family
In my view, one of the most significant manifestations of God's common grace is the institution of marriage.
In Genesis 1:27-28, God establishes the marriage covenant with a unique make-up and function. This union between a man and a woman is the source of the family and society.
While all marriages are not distinctly Christian, they're all part of God's plan for humanity, demonstrating His common grace (1 Pet 3:7). Any divergence from this pattern is of satanic origins.
The family is the bedrock of human society. This simple truth is the primary target of the world and Satan. When a people turn away from the common grace of God, i.e. the family unit, we can only expect to reap a terrible price.
God created the family for his glory, and when people move away from this created purpose, we can expect to find confusion and chaos.
When God created the family, he created it with purpose. God’s common grace in a marriage is demonstrated in its four purposes.
In Genesis 1:27-28, God establishes the marriage covenant with a unique make-up and function. This union between a man and a woman is the source of the family and society.
While all marriages are not distinctly Christian, they're all part of God's plan for humanity, demonstrating His common grace (1 Pet 3:7). Any divergence from this pattern is of satanic origins.
The family is the bedrock of human society. This simple truth is the primary target of the world and Satan. When a people turn away from the common grace of God, i.e. the family unit, we can only expect to reap a terrible price.
God created the family for his glory, and when people move away from this created purpose, we can expect to find confusion and chaos.
When God created the family, he created it with purpose. God’s common grace in a marriage is demonstrated in its four purposes.
The Four Purposes of Marriage
The first purpose of marriage is companionship. This purpose is linked to the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Spirit all share an intimate relationship with one another. Since humanity is created in God’s likeness, it's natural that we all long for intimate companionship (Gen. 1:27-28).
Marriage is a partnership in every area of life. There are no divisions in marriage. It is a one-flesh partnership where all life is shared: money, thoughts, dreams, actions, and spiritual life.
In addition to companionship, God created marriage for the purpose of support. In the Garden of Eden, God placed Adam in the garden to cultivate and maintain it. So, God gave Adam a job, a mission, and a life calling before he gave Adam a wife. Then, in verse 18, God said, “It was not good for man to be alone.” He needed a helper. This is when God gave Adam an excellent helper in life.
As God so designed, the marriage covenant is to be a relationship where support is the chief concern. God gave men the design to support the family through protection, provision, and leadership (Gen 2:15, Eph. 5:25). God gave the wife the unique and special design to support the home by nurturing and raising children (Gen. 2:18, 1 Tim. 2:15, Tit. 2:3-5). So, the marriage relationship is one of support.
Next, the purpose of marriage—yes, even marriage between unbelievers—symbolizes a beautiful redemptive picture. The union of a man and a woman symbolizes a more significant and glorious relationship. Paul in Ephesians makes this picture very clear:
Marriage is a partnership in every area of life. There are no divisions in marriage. It is a one-flesh partnership where all life is shared: money, thoughts, dreams, actions, and spiritual life.
In addition to companionship, God created marriage for the purpose of support. In the Garden of Eden, God placed Adam in the garden to cultivate and maintain it. So, God gave Adam a job, a mission, and a life calling before he gave Adam a wife. Then, in verse 18, God said, “It was not good for man to be alone.” He needed a helper. This is when God gave Adam an excellent helper in life.
As God so designed, the marriage covenant is to be a relationship where support is the chief concern. God gave men the design to support the family through protection, provision, and leadership (Gen 2:15, Eph. 5:25). God gave the wife the unique and special design to support the home by nurturing and raising children (Gen. 2:18, 1 Tim. 2:15, Tit. 2:3-5). So, the marriage relationship is one of support.
Next, the purpose of marriage—yes, even marriage between unbelievers—symbolizes a beautiful redemptive picture. The union of a man and a woman symbolizes a more significant and glorious relationship. Paul in Ephesians makes this picture very clear:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless."
- Ephesians 5:25–27 NASB
The Church is the bride, Christ is the Groom, and marriage is a symbol of this spiritual union between Jesus and those whom He’s saved (1 Cor. 11:1-2, Rev. 19:9). This earthly union is a picture of a heavenly union between all those who repent and believe in Christ.
Christian marriage—and to a lesser degree, non-Christian marriages—serve a very distinct purpose on this earth. It is a living testimony of the gospel. Not just how two sinners can come together and live in holy matrimony, but a testimony that God is a saving God. The covenant relationship between a man and a woman is only something we will enjoy in this life alone. Jesus says this sacred union has only a temporary shelf life, but it points to a greater union, Christ and His bride (Matt. 22:30).
Christian marriage—and to a lesser degree, non-Christian marriages—serve a very distinct purpose on this earth. It is a living testimony of the gospel. Not just how two sinners can come together and live in holy matrimony, but a testimony that God is a saving God. The covenant relationship between a man and a woman is only something we will enjoy in this life alone. Jesus says this sacred union has only a temporary shelf life, but it points to a greater union, Christ and His bride (Matt. 22:30).
"...marriage...is a living testimony of the gospel. Not just how two sinners can come together and live in holy matrimony, but a testimony that God is a saving God."
The fourth purpose for marriage is sexual fulfillment. Sex is a big part of the marriage relationship, but it is not the only part of the relationship. Paul gives us some good words about this aspect of marriage in 1 Cor. 7:2-5. Paul understands marriage exists to fulfill the sexual impulses of both men and women. Paul does not see sex in marriage just as a means to procreate. Instead, intimacy is an integral part of marriage. Paul makes several points concerning this aspect of marriage. Intimacy is reserved for marriage (vv. 1-2), intimacy is a gift (vv. 2-3), intimacy is for mutual enjoyment (vv. 3-4), intimacy is to be selfless (vv. 4-5), intimacy is to be practiced frequently (v. 5).
Conclusion
In this brief section, we have discussed the significance of marriage as a manifestation of God's common grace. The marriage covenant, as established by God, serves humanity by providing meaningful companionship, support, symbolism, and sexual fulfillment. Obviously, there are more we could add to this list, but for our purposes here, these help reveal that marriage is one of God’s greatest blessings to humanity.
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