Marriage: God’s Blueprint for Earth, Not Heaven

Good morning, church! Today we’re diving into a topic that has been debated, misinterpreted, and even redefined by the world. But as Christians, we look to God’s Word to understand His design for marriage. And spoiler alert: it’s not a human invention—it’s God’s blueprint. We’ll also talk about a question some of you might have wondered: Will there be marriage—or even sex—in heaven? Don’t worry, we’ll get to that.

Let’s start by going back to the source: the Bible.

God’s Blueprint for Marriage

In Genesis 2:24, we find the first wedding:

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Notice a few key points here:

1. It’s between a man and a woman—God didn’t create Adam and Steve or Eve and Evelyn. He created Adam and Eve. Why? Because the two of them together reflect God’s design for humanity. Male and female complement each other physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s not random—it’s intentional.

2. It’s about unity—Marriage is about two becoming one. It’s a covenant, not a contract. Contracts are broken all the time. Covenants? They’re sacred.

3. It’s tied to creation’s purpose—God told Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). Marriage was designed for procreation and to model the love and commitment God has for His people.

Jesus Himself reinforces this in Matthew 19:4-6:

“Haven’t you read,” He replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Notice Jesus doesn’t waffle on this. He affirms marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union between a man and a woman. This isn’t about being politically correct—it’s about being biblically faithful.

What About Marriage in Heaven?

Some of you might be thinking, “Okay, Pastor Cris, I get marriage here on earth. But what about in heaven? Will we still be married to our spouse? What about sex?!”

Let’s clear this up with Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:30:

“At the resurrection, people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”

What does this mean?

1. No marriage in heaven—Marriage is an earthly institution. Why? Because its purpose—companionship, procreation, and modeling Christ’s love for the church—won’t be necessary in heaven. In heaven, we’ll be perfectly fulfilled in our relationship with God and one another. Your spouse won’t be your spouse in heaven; they’ll be your brother or sister in Christ. (Yes, that might feel weird now, but trust me, it’ll make sense then!)

2. No sex in heaven—Sex is a gift from God, but it’s tied to earthly bodies and purposes: intimacy and procreation. In heaven, we’ll have glorified bodies, and our joy will come from being in the presence of God. The kind of intimacy we’ll experience with Him will far surpass anything we can imagine.

Think about it this way: If you’re on a road trip to Disney World, the drive might be fun—snacks, music, good conversation. But once you’re at Disney, you’re not thinking about the road trip anymore. Heaven is the destination. Marriage and sex are part of the road trip.

God’s Definition vs. the World’s Definition

Here’s where it gets tricky: The world has redefined marriage. Culture says, “Marriage can be whatever you want it to be—two men, two women, three people, no people!” But God’s Word hasn’t changed. Marriage is one man, one woman, for life.

Now, hear me: This isn’t about hating people who disagree. Jesus loved everyone, including sinners, but He didn’t compromise the truth. Loving someone doesn’t mean agreeing with them. We can hold to biblical truth while still showing kindness and grace.

Why This Matters

1. Marriage reflects the Gospel—Paul says in Ephesians 5:25 that marriage is a picture of Christ’s love for the church. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church—sacrificially, unconditionally. Wives are to respect their husbands, just as the church submits to Christ. Marriage isn’t just about us—it’s about Him.

2. God’s design leads to flourishing—When we follow God’s plan for marriage, it leads to stability, love, and life. When we stray, it leads to confusion, brokenness, and pain. God isn’t trying to spoil our fun; He’s showing us the way to true joy.

How Do Two People Become Married in God’s Eyes?

Now let’s tackle a question I’ve heard plenty of times: “What makes a marriage official in God’s eyes? Do we need a government certificate, or is it just about the vows?”

This is a great question, and it’s important to get it right. God’s definition of marriage isn’t necessarily tied to what governments decide, but it does involve some key elements that go beyond just feelings or private promises.

The Biblical Elements of Marriage

Here’s what the Bible teaches about how a marriage is established in God’s eyes:

1. A Covenant, Not Just a Commitment

Marriage in God’s eyes is a covenant—a sacred promise. Proverbs 2:16-17 speaks of marriage as “the covenant of her God,” and Malachi 2:14 refers to the wife as “your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.”

A covenant is more than just saying, “I love you.” It’s a public, binding agreement made before God and others. You’re not just making promises to your spouse—you’re making promises to God to love, honor, and cherish them for life.

2. A Public Recognition

Marriage isn’t meant to be a secret or just between the two people involved. In the Bible, weddings were public events—family, friends, and the community would witness the union. Even Jesus attended a wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11). Why? Because marriage is a public declaration of a lifelong commitment. It’s not about sneaking off to the woods and saying, “We’re married now!” It’s about accountability and celebrating with others.

3. A Physical Union

Genesis 2:24 says that a man and woman become “one flesh.” This refers to the physical and spiritual intimacy that happens within marriage. Sexual union is designed to seal the covenant of marriage, which is why it’s so sacred. But don’t misunderstand—having sex doesn’t automatically make you married in God’s eyes. Sex is meant to follow the covenant, not replace it.

4. A Shared Life Together

Marriage is more than a ceremony or a certificate—it’s the lifelong process of becoming one. It involves shared responsibilities, shared joys, and shared challenges. The Bible shows us that marriage is about unity in all areas of life.

What About Government Certificates?

Here’s the thing: While a government certificate isn’t what makes a marriage valid in God’s eyes, it’s still important. Why?

1. Obeying Authority

Romans 13:1-2 tells us to submit to governing authorities because they are established by God. If your government requires a marriage license, following that process is part of living in obedience to God. It’s not about the piece of paper—it’s about honoring the system God has allowed to exist.

2. Protecting the Marriage

A legal marriage provides protections for both spouses. It ensures accountability, prevents exploitation, and helps society recognize and support the union. These practical benefits reflect God’s desire for order and justice.

What Really Matters?

At the end of the day, a true marriage in God’s eyes isn’t about skipping the paperwork or just having a romantic moment—it’s about:

• A lifelong covenant made before God.

• A public commitment witnessed by others.

• A physical union within the context of that covenant.

• A shared life that reflects God’s design.

Think of the government certificate as the cherry on top—it’s not what makes the sundae, but it’s still part of the package in most places. Skipping it because “it doesn’t matter to God” can actually reflect a heart unwilling to honor God through obedience and accountability.

Closing Thought

So, if you’re wondering whether you’re married in God’s eyes, ask yourself this: Have you made a lifelong, covenantal commitment to your spouse before God and others? If the answer is yes, then you’re on the right track. And if you’ve got the government certificate to back it up, even better—it shows you’re honoring both God’s design and the laws of the land.

Marriage isn’t just about love—it’s about covenant, commitment, and community. Let’s honor it God’s way. Amen? Amen.