Righteous, I ask the question attempting to gain an understanding. I have not come to a conclusion on the answer. Also I am interested in the difference in being married and having a marriage. My feeling is just because a couple is married does not mean they have a marriage. I am not at all sure how God views this situation.
How about helping us out here.
MB has made a good point.
A marriage is also a covenant between a man, a woman, and God, established when the vows (commitment) are spoken. Mankind has established rules to void this covenant between the man and the woman. But, mankind can't do anything to undo God's portion. That's His will alone. If I understand scriptures correctly, there's only one reason why God grants divorce.
If I understand your question correctly you are looking at two sides of the same coin. On one side is the fact that a covenant (contract) exists. Which equals both "being married" and "having a marriage". The couple are united in the eyes of God.
The other side of the coin is the emotional state of the marriage (for lack of a better term.) IMO, a marriage is just like our walk of faith with our Saviour. Satan is going to put every stumbling block he can muster in our path. He can't tempt us beyond what we can bear, but he can test us right up to that line across our path. I don't know of anywhere in the scriptures where it says to follow Jesus will be easy. He said pick up our cross and follow Him. And, we are to don the full armour of God, as we're going to need it.
Both individuals in a marriage have a choice, everyday, to overcome with God's help, obstacles satan places in their marriage path. Or, they can yield to them and become "lukewarm" or worse. Society is making the latter easier and easier to come about.
"Being married": yes
"Having a marriage" is easy: No
Marriage what we make of it: YES
These words from an old timer who, Lord willing, will celebrate 47 years of marriage to the same person this summer. It has been:
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.
