Basically, the pro-gay marriage people have launched an initiative to ban divorce, to make a point to the people who had gay marriage overturned. I am not a proponent of gay marriage, but it is a good point they make. Several years ago, when we had a Constitutional Amendment being argued for by "Defense of Marriage" people, I noticed that they're not defending Biblical marriage. It's fine to say that marriage is only between a man and a woman - Jesus said that, after all. But in that same teaching, he also taught against divorce (Matt. 19:3-9).
I find it sad that so many in the church are turning their backs on this teaching of Jesus, even as they loudly proclaim other commands. I'm probably going to want a divorce some days too whenever I get married (if that happens) and there are other areas I do fall plenty short in. But what I would love to see and what the world needs to see are good examples of traditional, Christian marriage. The culture of divorce has racked so many parents of people who are of marriageable age now, and many in my generation just don't see marriage as a life-long commitment, that divorce is inevitable. Personally, I know several guys around my age who were only married for two or three years. And two of those guys are Christians from Christian families.
Aren't we supposed to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world?
I'm not saying we should get behind this initiative, but I am saying that it makes a very good point to where we are at as the church. We need to return to what Jesus said about marriage and divorce, especially if we're going to be speaking out against homosexuality. We would do well to consider what Paul wrote to the Jews in Romans 2:23-24:
"You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'"
__________________ Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
- Proverbs 30:5-6
You can't legislate the heart. Or in other words, laws don't equate sinlessness.
In bible class last year I had this conversation with my Pastor, although it was a different topic. My reasoning seemed flawless, but he was right.
For those who fear and love God we already have a law. Making a civil law would accomplish nothing except more court cases and make lawyers richer.
The problem lies within the human heart. For those who don't believe in God they have a total seperation from conscience, for those who do believe they struggle with this sin the same as any other.
The only remedy is to grow closer to God in His word and in worship. And if we are honest with ourselves we never reach our goal in this life, but God wants us to keep trying, and if we are willing The Holy Spirit will help us.
As for gays, the same applies. We had laws on the books for years and it made no difference, except kept them in the closent. Well I should say made almost no difference, now they have civil law to justify their sin, as its no longer against the law. I wonder how long before child molestation and rape will be legal!
__________________ Jn 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Rev 21:2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. Rev 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
You can't legislate the heart. Or in other words, laws don't equate sinlessness.
In bible class last year I had this conversation with my Pastor, although it was a different topic. My reasoning seemed flawless, but he was right.
For those who fear and love God we already have a law. Making a civil law would accomplish nothing except more court cases and make lawyers richer.
The problem lies within the human heart. For those who don't believe in God they have a total seperation from conscience, for those who do believe they struggle with this sin the same as any other.
The only remedy is to grow closer to God in His word and in worship. And if we are honest with ourselves we never reach our goal in this life, but God wants us to keep trying, and if we are willing The Holy Spirit will help us.
As for gays, the same applies. We had laws on the books for years and it made no difference, except kept them in the closent. Well I should say made almost no difference, now they have civil law to justify their sin, as its no longer against the law. I wonder how long before child molestation and rape will be legal!
(Well, to all but the last two sentences, but I didn't want to just cut them.)
Sanctity doesn't come from the State. And government isn't there to make us moral or godly. It's there to keep us from killing each other.
Making divorce illegal isn't the answer. But the OP does make a good point: If we're going to preach about the sanctity of marriage, than the divorce rate within the church should be a lot lower. It would show that we do at least try to practice what we preach.
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And government isn't there to make us moral or godly. It's there to keep us from killing each other.
Yes and because of the way that our leftists in government have undermined or discarded morality in this country they are not doing a very good job with the fundamental tasks with which they are charged, such as keeping people from killing each other.
Jesus taught against divorce but biblically if one keeps reading the bible and all of it - they will find that divorce is permissible when necessary- Matthew 19:9-except it be for fornication. So to outlaw divorce for any reason isn't biblical.
Also, homosexuals want marriage to be legal for the benefits like in heterosexual marriage. Its not for spiritual reasons, a minister can marry those of the same sex if they choose this-this is legal unfortunately-but it just won't be federally recognized. Some of the reasons why they are against gay marriage is because medical insurance will go up, etc. I'm against it for biblical reasons first, then for rates second.
__________________ -Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -Abortion - 45 million dead babies and growing **Proverbs 6:16-17 - states that there are seven things that are an abomination to the Lord; one of them is the shedding of innocentblood. Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind, Albert Einstein. Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God, Benjamin Franklin
Getting government out of the marriage business completely has its upsides. However, I don't think it's practical for a couple of reasons. One is, divorce. One of government's legitimate roles is protecting people's property rights, and it would serve as a very logical mediator in the event of a divorce (and all such proceedings would need a mediator). Sure, I'm against divorce, but it's not as if you can't have a legal apparatus prepared for it - we've got that for murder and theft too. Another is taxes. I don't like taxes, but even if we cut spending to a reasonable level we would still need them in some capacity. And families rightly get some inherent tax relief, since it's more expensive to support a spouse and/or kids than just yourself. Even in the conservative alternatives to the income tax, we're seeing this principle. The FairTax and the flat tax proposals all take families into account. But I do agree with the author that we as Christians need to decouple the idea of what makes a legitimate marriage from the state. The state's involvement in marriage is not something that makes me comfortable.
__________________ Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
- Proverbs 30:5-6
It's also wrong to exercise in pornea while being married. The consequence? It releases the spouse to freely seek divorce.
__________________ "... not an unconcerned sitting of God in heaven, from which He merely observes the things that are done in the world; but that all-active and all-concerned seatedness on His throne above, by which He governs the world which He Himself hath made." John Calvin regeneration does not act in people as if they were blocks and stones; nor does it abolish the will and its properties or coerce a reluctant will by force, but spiritually revives, heals, reforms Canons of Dordt, 1.16
"Have I become your enemy by telling the truth?" Paul
You know, I'm against divorce. I am very much against divorce. However, I don't think that passing a law banning divorce is going to do much good. People have been used to being able to divorce each other for so long now that they'd simply separate and find another person to be with anyway.
Whenever you say that "it doesn't matter", then you say that marriage, as a public declaration, doesn't matter. Once you've said that, you've gone over to the dark side.
You can't make the Bible law, outside of a theocracy.
There is no reason for non-Christians to adhere to biblical values, and forcing them to do so will never work.
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RIP Dede.
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(Well, to all but the last two sentences, but I didn't want to just cut them.)
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