Dear Pastor,

My girlfriend and I have had numerous conversations concerning what is the ultimate reason for getting married. I believe sex is the ultimate thing, especially for Christians who get married. I am not saying sex is the only thing but it is one of the main things that put people together.

Correct me if I am wrong and shed some light on this.

W.S.

Dear W.S.,

Sex plays a big part in marriage. The Bible teaches that sex is for procreation and pleasure. Although sex plays a big part in marriage, marriage is also for companionship, help and comfort. The Bible says a husband and wife should meet the sexual needs of each other. For that reason, they should not be apart for any long period.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not the power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency." (I Cor. 1:1-5).

Pastor