Cohabiting without marriage intent

[Lilyrose]

So I’m new here and only thought about this today , I’ve been living with my partner 15 years . I’ve never married and don’t intend to, can I still be Christian ?

 

[Who Me]

Our status as Christian is dependant on our relationship with Jesus.
However part of that is seen in our obedience to him and his commands.

So yes you are a Christian if Jesus is your saviour, just a not very obedient one.

If you have lived together for 15 years, why won't you get married?

 

[Lilyrose]

I never believed in marriage I told my partner it was just a piece of paper when it got serious. I feel happy as we our as in my eyes we are as good as, my mindset was it’s just a society thing lol . I only started reading the Bible the end of last September. I’m still to find a church and have only just found this forum, my partner isn’t religious at all .

 

[hawkman]

So I’m new here and only thought about this today , I’ve been living with my partner 15 years . I’ve never married and don’t intend to, can I still be Christian ?

If you and your partner have had sexual relations this is a marriage . IMO

Does Consensual Sex Equal Marriage?

Sex is an integral part of marriage — even more than church ceremonies or legal docs. But consensual sex isn’t the same thing as the commitment of marriage.

www.focusonthefamily.com

 

[Hidden In Him]

So I’m new here and only thought about this today , I’ve been living with my partner 15 years . I’ve never married and don’t intend to, can I still be Christian ?

Greetings, sister, and I am glad you joined this one because there are some Christian forums where you would get jumped pretty hard for posting this, and that is uncalled for IMO.

Even here there were members in the past who would have. Thankfully they are not here now.

But let me start here. I was in your position once. I was in a 13 year relationship with a woman who would not go down the isle with me, but I told myself I was in fact married in spirit. The problem I came to realize however is this, and I am not telling you what to do or that you are in the exact same situation as I was. I am simply giving you my testimony as one who has been in a similar place. I came to realize there was a reason we couldn't get down the aisle, and it's because we were not that good together. We loved each other in a sense, but feeling bound to each other emotionally is not the same thing as being called to marry each other, and it was destroying my testimony. I eventually realized it was never going to work, because it was never meant to work, and moved on. I met my wife, we actually loved one another, and married within about a year. She married her old boyfriend of many years not long after, and they appear to be happily married to this day.

In short, there are those God calls us to, and those He does not. That is something you would have to decide on, but know this. As much as I subscribed to the theory that I was "married in the eyes of God," the truth is that God calls us to marry each other in the sight of man. It is not just in His eyes. It is to let everyone else know that we are in marriage covenant and are therefore off the market. So long as a couple will not do this, they are not acting responsibly IMO. They are seeing things as they want to in wanting to stay together. But is it truly a marriage when there is no formal covenant in the sight of our fellow man?

I thank God I finally found a way out of a relationship that was not meant to be from the start. As for your situation, I wish you the very best, and leave you in the hands of God.

Hidden In Him

 

[Rookie]

If there are no sexual relations with you and your boyfriend, then I guess you're fine.

Ik there is the "marriage is just a piece of paper" view you have, but even with that logic, why let a piece of paper separate you from holiness and unholiness.

And I believe once you get more into the Scriptures you'll see marriage beyond just a piece of paper. Coming from a Gen Z dude.

 

[George1]

So I’m new here and only thought about this today , I’ve been living with my partner 15 years . I’ve never married and don’t intend to, can I still be Christian ?

Marriage is only possible through church that is Biblical and through canonical priest. It have nothing to do with papers, it is done in Heaven by the authority of the priest on earth.: Matthew 18:18 "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.".
This living in the Bible is called: illegal cohabitation. And is fornication/adultery/living in sin/not born from above/not having the Holy Spirit.

 

[Who Me]

I told my partner it was just a piece of paper

Marriage is far more than a ' piece of paper ' .
It is a legal state that is intended to protect the interests of both partners and of their children.
It is a socal arrangement that provides for the needs of those involved.
It is also a religious arrangement.

The contrast between these views of marriage and Co habiting is that Co habiting has no real status.
In staying together for as long as you have your an exception to the statistical norm.
A ' piece of paper ' can have enormous significance socially and psychologically in that it implies both status and permanence.

 

[for_his_glory]

Hi Lilyrose and welcome to CF

The more you read and study the Bible the more your questions will be answered. I would suggest starting with the book of John as this will teach you about your relationship with Jesus and then read the book of Acts as this will teach you about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that will teach you all things God wants you to learn.

There is no place in the Bible that constitutes having to have a marriage license. Man incorporated this into the law. In the Hebrew tradition a mohar or dowry was paid to the father of the bride by the groom in exchange for the daughter, Exodus 22:17. Genesis 2:23-25 explains the bond of marriage. The two are united as one in the eyes of God. Ephesians 5:22-29 wives are to submit to their husbands as unto the Lord for the husband is the spiritual head of the wife. Man is the provider and protector of his family. Husbands, you are to love your wives like Christ loves his church. This is an unconditional love that looks on the inside of a person and not the adorning of the outside. It is a love with a pure heart.

The law that was incorporated by man that one needs a marriage license was for the purpose of legal matters within the marriage. Marriage licenses in the US dates back to the 17th century in Colonial America with Massachusetts requiring them as early as 1639. Before that marriages were private affairs between families that did not require government approval. States began requiring a license because marriages have legal implications that can affect property, inheritance and taxes.