Christianity and marriage incompatible?

[DaughterofKing]

Look at Jesus, he left his family, went around and preached the word, encouraged thsoe who could avoid marriage to do so, called everyone who believed him his brothers and mother, and never mentioned at all the importance of marriage or childbearing...perhaps the ideal Christian life is to not marry or procreate?

[Gerioke]

Look at Jesus, he left his family, went around and preached the word, encouraged thsoe who could avoid marriage to do so, called everyone who believed him his brothers and mother, and never mentioned at all the importance of marriage or childbearing...perhaps the ideal Christian life is to not marry or procreate?

That wouldn't leave very many christians in the end, would it?

[Bolts]

I'd still be here

My mum and dad were in and out of the church. From the church to the pub. From the pub to the church................. I think you get the picture

I had to make my own choice.

[Iryssa]

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.[a] 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Cor. 7:1-8 (emphasis mine)

see this passage in another translation

According to this chapter, believers might save themselves many troubles if they do not marry, but some are meant to marry and should do so. Some really should marry, to be spared from the sin of fornication (v.9).

Elsewhere, Paul condemns teachers who wrongfully forbid people to marry:

1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1 Tim. 4:1-5

Anyway, nowhere in the Bible does it say that marriage is forbidden, but it does caution that marriage is not an easy row to hoe.

[DaughterofKing]

Well I am focusing on Jesus and his life...Furthermore Jesus said he comes with a sword, to seperate mom , sister, child, etc.

[Ovedya]

Daughter,

I think you have a serious misconception about the Lord here. The Lord Jesus never encouraged anyone to not marry.

[heavenlyfavoured]

hi,

Jesus was God in form of Flesh. He was Holy and so lived a Holy life. He came 2 save us from our sins, thats what makes Him our Saviour. His life was already prophesied; he had a short time 2 reach the world through making disciples, preaching, healing and to restore the relationship between mankind and God, by being crucified so that he can b raised from the dead. Jesus was here on earth 4 a purpose.

[Smalcald]

When we read about Christ telling us that faith in Him and His walk may take us away from our parents our family, that loving Him should come first above the love we have for these people, well these are hard words. I think they show how serious this faith is, and for me how far I am from really being able to carry the cross in the way Christ wishes.

Marriage is good and sacred, and the bible proclaims that many times, but it should not interfere with following Christ, some people are indeed called to not marry, people like Paul for example.

[Iryssa]

Well I am focusing on Jesus and his life...Furthermore Jesus said he comes with a sword, to seperate mom , sister, child, etc.

You cannot simply focus on one area of scripture and ignore the rest. If you believe one part of it is true, you must, by its nature, believe the whole of it. Smalcald nailed it with his post, so I won't bother repeating myself or him.