Shacking Up or Cohabitation?

According to Webster, shacking up is to live together as spouses without being married.  The term carries a lot of negative connotation; “Did you hear who is shacking up?”  As Christians we take a negative view of such behavior because we view it as a violation of God’s desire for his people.  The marriage relationship is sacred, and a couple should be legally married prior to living together

In an attempt to soften the offense, the term now used to define living together outside of marriage is “cohabitation.”  If a recent study done by Pew Research is on target it is working.  Cohabitation has become politically correct while couching a behavior that is of itself morally wrong.  In our contemporary culture, cohabitation is not only seen as acceptable but viewed as a good idea, and it is not just a matter of convenience or saving money.  The top reason given for cohabitation was "testing compatibility." 

We can shake our heads and comment that it is just another sign that our moral fabric is gradually being torn to shreds.  In actually it does not change who we are, or even more important who God is.  As God’s people we respect the holy estate of marriage. But we recognize that even those who live in sin fall under God’s grace.  In my humble opinion the answer is found in God’s word.  We not only need to be into God’s word on a daily basis, but we need to encourage others to do so as well.  This is especially the case with teens and young adults.  It is not enough to expect the instruction that they received on the Sixth Commandment to have taken root.

That is why young and young adult ministry should be a vital component.  That is especially the case with college age young adults.  The typical campus environment is fertile ground for a young Christian to find their values called into question.  Another reality is that most traditional campus ministries do not appeal to millennials.  The link between God’s desire for them and the reality of their situation should be their support system back home.  That contact across the miles is vital, and in the world of social media and facetime it is a lot easier.  We just need to be intentional in our effort.