From His Heart - Week of May 25

Redefining Marriage?

For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.  Genesis 2:24

As you know, the President of the United States made BIG news when he declared he has rethought his position on same sex marriage and is now in favor of such.  His exact words on the matter were:

“... I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”  President Barak Obama 

Upon hearing these words, Rev. Franklin Graham lamented, “[It’s a] sad day for America.”  I would echo those sentiments.  Sad indeed.

GOD AND MARRIAGE

Where did marriage originate anyway?  Is it our place to define it and design it? 

God is the one who created man and designed marriage.  He made EVE for ADAM, “a helper suitable to him.”  She was like him in that she was human and made in the image of God, but she was unlike him in that she was female (the physiological differences are pretty obvious).  God brought woman to the man and performed the first wedding ceremony. 

He desired for the two to become one under the bonds of holy marriage.  God is so wise.  He made a man and a woman different, so He could make them one ... and be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth with children.

HOLD FAST TO THE TRUTH

Do not get confused by well-meaning friends, smooth-talking politicians, outspoken celebrities, situational ethics or the desire for political correctness.  God alone designed marriage ... and God alone defines marriage: One man to one woman for life.  And it is not up for repeal, erasure, modification or amendment. 

Traditional marriage is the foundation and bedrock of society.  As David said in Psalm 11:3, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”  May we as followers of Jesus Christ do our part to boldly and lovingly stand up for the truth of God and protect the foundations, no matter the pressure, the slander or the name-calling. 

Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:18-20). 

Take a stand for Jesus and His Word.  And at the same time, love those caught up in sin and the deception of the evil one.  God will bless you for being faithful to Him and speaking the truth in love. 

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Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas. He and his wife Debbie have been married for over 20 years and are blessed with three wonderful girls. Jeff began From His Heart Ministries, a radio and television ministry, in January of 2005. This ministry is completely listener/viewer supported. It continues only through the faithful and generous gifts of people like you. Pastor Jeff takes no salary from this ministry. All gifts go to further the broadcast.

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