No matter how America votes in the Supreme Court, in each state or even on the county level in reference to marriage, the truth is, authentic marriage has been and will always be the joining of a natural born man to a natural born woman. Why? Jehovah Elohim created it that way (Genesis 2:18-25).
And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. 23 And Adam said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
A major debate has ensued last night in our county about a resolution supporting “traditional marriage” which has been defined as between one man and one woman. The words of the definition are correct but the use of the word “traditional” is wrong. Merrriam-Webster dictionary defines tradition as:
1 a : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)
b : a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable
2: the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
Marriage is not a tradition or traditional. It is biblical; it is God-created; it is fully detailed in Scripture. True biblical marriage can be defined, described, and twisted by man’s thoughts, but that does not change the truth of Genesis 2:18-25.
Having said that, my challenge to all of us as born-again believers is, the best way to vote for authentic marriage is:
- Live a biblical marriage (Ephesians 4:21-5:33; 1 Peter 3:1-7) in your home and before the world. What are your next door neighbors, your co-workers, your family learning about Christ and marriage from you?
- By your example and edification, teach your children about biblical marriage (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 19:1-6). Model it before them. Let them see you biblically loving one another (1 Corinthians 13:1-8), and biblically dealing with your sin and failures.
- Live out the gospel and share the gospel with unbelievers because the gospel changes everything. D.A. Carson has said this about the gospel: It “is not only the means by which people are saved, but also the truth and power by which people are sanctified; it is the truth of the Gospel that enables us to genuinely and joyfully do what is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ.” As believers, our marriage should continually be an example of the transforming, sanctifying power of the gospel (Read Ephesians 5:21-33). Unbelievers should learn about the gospel through our marriage which should be a continual witness of the gospel.
My wife and I are coming up on 35th anniversary. Outside of my salvation, the best part of my life has been the privilege to be married. We have had our joys and our sorrows. We have had our good and hard times. What a joy to be involved, not in a tradition, but in a biblical marriage ordained and created by Jehovah Elohim. So, every time my wife and I pray and read God’s Word together, hold hands, kiss, leave each other love notes, say “Please forgive me,” go on a date, look each other in the eye and converse, serve each other, be kind to one another, overlook faults, believe the truth, do not keep a record of wrongs done, hug, and enter into many, many other joys of marriage, we are voting for biblical marriage! That’s what the world needs to see. That’s what honors God!
From A Pastor's Heart 