By Not Known
What is a vow?
A vow is simply a promise or a pledge to be or to do something, and it can be made unilaterally or bilaterally before the witness of a third party. In some cases, to break a vow is a serious offence. In other cases, it can damage a relationship of trust.
In the Court of Law, one who takes to the stand vows to speak nothing but the truth. At the Registry of Marriage, couples being married vow before the Justice of Peace in order to legally constitute their love-union. In the Christian church, vowing is also involved on occasions of baptism, confirmation, and transfer of membership, leaders’ dedication and wedding.
A Christian marriage vow
I, take you, to be my wedded (husband/wife), to have and to hold fromthis day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ’til death do us part: according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge you my love and faithfulness.
Who hears the vow?
When a husband or wife-to-be says the vow, the spouse-to-be, the presiding pastor, and all their invited guests listen. And although it is primarily made between the couple, the witnessing community becomes the context within which the couple is made accountable. Above all, God is the primary witness and judge of their hearts because it is he who constitutes the marriage as sacred in him. Therefore, there is a warning in Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 to fulfil one’s vow to God. To keep a Christian marriage calls for accountability to God.
What do husband and wife promise each other?
In a Christian marriage vow, a husband and wife promise to love and treasure each other whatever their future lives together may be – circumstantially, wealth-wise, and health-wise. They promise to remain together till the death of either party. The only reason that the Christian couple promises to love and be faithful to each other is that God has decreed it in his holy word. To keep a Christian marriage calls for obedience to God.
Why do we need a marriage vow?
No matter how a couple is madly in love, or already tripping over each other on their wedding day, disagreement, distrust, and disappointment will soon become a reality in their marriage because it is between two sinners. A Christian marriage vow serves to remind, rebuke, and restore what is lacking or being threatened in a marriage. To keep a Christian marriage calls for a God-centred and God-fearing humility towards one another.
Let’s commit to keep our marriage vows, come what may…
Benson Goh