This post is a follow-up message from Pastor Ben's sermon entitled "Season of Sanctity". [Watch video]

Joseph and Mary are an example of a godly couple who lived out what it means to be “one flesh.” Fine for them, and fine for those married couples who can learn from them. But what about those who are not married? Does marriage matter?
Here are three reasons marriage matters to those who are not married:

1) Marriage was instituted by God in Genesis to be the very building block of society. Marriages produce families, everyone comes from a family, and families build community. This is where the church as family is so important to everyone. We all have imperfect families. Yes, the church is also made up of imperfect people, but it is the one place where a single person can rightly say, “I belong to the greatest family there is, God’s family.” The health of our culture is dependent on marriage and family remaining the the basic component of society as God intended. Everyone benefits from that.

2) Marriage is a picture of your salvation in Christ. “And the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:31-32). You are not really missing out on this “one flesh” relationship. You are united to Christ and have become one with Him. All the benefits of salvation are yours apart from any human relationships. God chose marriage to explain to all of us the intimate and ultimate nature of our relationship with Christ. For those who are not married, marriage can still help you better understand the deepness of your union with Him.

3) Marriage is an imperfect picture of the fulfillment you already have in Christ. You don’t need a spouse to fulfill you. Yes, marriage is a very good thing and brings fulfillment in life. But not everyone experiences that. Marriage is an imperfect picture of that which is perfect, and that which you possess! You are secure, loved, accepted, loved and provided for by Christ your Savior. He will never leave you, come home late, misunderstand or abuse you. You are His. He alone is the ultimate fulfillment in life for all believers. As the psalmist said, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).

Single, married, divorced, widowed—He alone is the fulfillment of all we desire and all we need.