In the beginning God made man male and female (Genesis 1:27; Mark 10:6). In marriage God unites two people together (Mark 10:8), who are physically, emotionally, and intellectually different.
These two people leave their old family unit. They leave their mother and father (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7), they make public vows to one another, and then they become one flesh (Mark 10:8). Their bodies physically unite together, symbolic of the unity which must now be shown in every aspect of their lives.
Marriage certainly is a decision that two people make. A marriage contract or covenant is created. But according to the Bible, marriage is much more significant than simply a covenant of companionship made by two parties and recognized by God (this is the definition of Jay Adams1). It is a union, a joining that God accomplishes (Mark 10:9). Therefore, it is deeper than emotions, than a legal contract, than circumstances. It’s not something that can be changed or undone when emotions change because at its heart marriage is something God does.
That is true for the Christian and the non-Christian, whether you’re a church member or not, whether you’re happily married or not. If you are married, God in his sovereignty has joined you together with your husband or your wife. Your marriage can’t be a mistake if God has joined you together. In marriage God has joined two people together for life.
1 And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again. And again, as was his custom, he taught them.