Hi @Wizarab10
There are millions of people in relationships cohabiting right now in Nigeria.
These couples still cheat, lie, and resent one another.
Social media is filled with stories of infidelity and abuse among young unmarried people living as couples.
Many people are cohabiting right now who still do not trust, are not open, and are not vulnerable with their partners.
Many men are cohabiting with their unmarried partners right now who still chant the "Men are wired to cheat" mantra.
So, it is now clear that it is the contrary of what you and many like you deceptively claim cohabitation is meant to accomplish that is, in fact, prevalent.
No trust.
No fidelity.
No openness.
No vulnerability.
No sexual discipline.
No increased marital success.
Contrary to your rather laughable attempt to even claim sex isn't the object of cohabitation, it is now apparent that it is the free, unhindered access to carnal sex that is in fact the object of cohabitation.
You claim the aim is to "experience one's partner" and be "naked in all plain."
What a revealing choice of words; "Experience", "Partner", and "Naked".
String these words together and it wouldn't be unreasonable for anyone to say your reason for cohabitation is:
"Naked experience with one's partner."
That is cohabitative premarital sex and it is killing the most important unit of society, the family.
Research has shown that premarital cohabitation is associated with greater odds of divorce:
https://t.co/Crpqbkld5X
So we see that this approach to marital union is catastrophically unsustainable.
It simply fails rationally and cannot work.
But the disciplined abstinence the Bible preaches remains the most sustainable and rewarding.
Many cultures around the world share this principle including African, Middle Eastern, Asian, and past European cultures.
And for good reasons. Knowing that you can be sexually intimate with your partner but choosing not to out of respect for the sanctity of marriage is priceless.
It builds such discipline and character that would eventually turn out indispensable to achieving fruitful marital longevity.
Finally, if you rely on the carnal experience of cohabitation to "know" your partner, then you never want to know them.
The "knowing" that sustains marriage is principle-based.
The type where you make peace with whatever comes your way after marrying them.
Not the type that hunts for sensual assurances that are fleeting and corrupt.
In conclusion, let Christians approach marriage the way the Bible dictates - through sexual abstinence and purity.
"Remove Christianity out of it." No sir.
That is our life. We won't remove it from it.
You are allowed to live by your liberal lawlessness, but not we Christians.
We hope this has cleared it for you.
Lastly, to believers who venture to this man's page for lifestyle advice, well it is rather a surprise that this happens.
But you now see the sort of ideology being spread through it. Detach from it.
Cohabitation is a sin.
Congratulations to our esteemed father and mother in the Lord, Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, as we celebrate 45 years of Godโs faithfulness through your leadership as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.