"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) These words predate all governments reminding us that the institution of marriage is God ordained and defined. 

Amidst high divorce rates and an unprecedented effort to redefine marriage, I propose 10 truths about marriage:

1.Marriage is a covenant not simply a contract.
2.One must not redefine original intent without the permission of the author.
3.All indicators point toward the emotional, social and economic benefits of marriage.
4.The virtues of commitment and faithfulness must be reclaimed in America.
5.The state of the union is no stronger than the union of our marriages.
6.The marriage penalty tax is contrary to the values we claim to embrace.
7.There is no greater weapon against child poverty and crime than healthy marriages.
8.Strengthen marriage and you strengthen the family.
9.Strengthen families and you strengthen a nation.
10.The definition of marriage was not originally based in social opinion or manmade laws and should not now be reduced to either.

Dr. Francis Schaeffer once said, "If there is no absolute beyond man's ideas, then there is no final appeal to judge between individuals and groups whose moral judgments conflict. We are merely left with conflicting opinions." The definition of marriage was established by an authority higher than that of any government and more sacred than that of any opinion poll. America loses her moorings when we lose our absolutes.

Rev. Bill Shuler is the pastor of Capital Life Church in Arlington, Virginia. For more information go to Capitallife.org