The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Paul P. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Sanctity of Marriage
The strongest and most fulfilling relationship intended existing among humans is marriage. Marriage is a special relationship, sanctified by God (holy and set apart). It's more intimate than any other human connection, more exclusive, and the only one built on a covenant.
"It is not good for man to be alone." These words, Spoken by God almighty, are the first known utterance of mankind’s special desperation. Since their creation, humans have craved relationships, the feeling of intimacy, above all else. They need them more than any form of sustenance or any good thing. Leaving a person without food starves their body, leaving a person without relationships starves their soul.
Marriage is the symbol God created for the relationship between Christ and the church. Just as a person's view of God as their Father is easily altered by their relationship with their earthly father, so it is with marriage and Christ’s relationship to the church. Just as we as Christians go forward with the responsibility as a representative of Christ, so marriage comes with the responsibility of being a representative for the churches relationship with Christ.
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Marriage is meant to be the most binding relationship on this earth in all respects. In America today not much emphasis is placed on parents or family. However, in other places of the world this is a much more radical concept. God places your marriage relationship at a higher level than your relationship with your family. Your traditions and preconceptions about marriage matter, but not as much as what’s actually right for you and your spouse.
In a similar vein, with Christ it will often be necessary to leave behind much of our origins - what we came from, how we used to live, and what we previously believed about such a relationship. We must adhere to Christ more than our traditions, more than our family. Otherwise, our potential in Christ will only be stifled.
"This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." The Bible reveals the many mysteries and great depth of marriage. From the start, God set marriage (to Christ and your spouse) apart to be a relationship of true beauty. Are we prepared to fulfill the potential God has given us in these relationships?
