According to the age-old axiom, there are basically two
reasons why people don’t become Christians:
1- They
don’t know any Christians, who might share the gospel with them; and
2- They
do.
For the uninitiated: Almost every American has a Christian
friend or neighbor or co-worker. But the only example they see, is an endless
flow of angry rants and hypocrisy. They don’t see faith, or love, or a genuine
concern for the welfare of their neighbor. Instead, they see a pious and self-righteous
nutcase. And who would ever want to join up with THAT?
.
Last year, in response to the advance of gay marriage, a
group of ministers began to take the “marriage pledge.” Simply stated, they
refuse to sign marriage licenses issued by government agencies. Seeing as gay
marriage was becoming legal in more and more jurisdictions, they decided to
disassociate themselves from the unwashed masses. Marriage is a spiritual
union, and no civil authority should interfere in the process.
Honestly, I get it. But I can scarcely imagine a more
un-Christian response to an existential crisis.
Ruth and I were married by a Christian minister, under the
authority of a Christian church where we remain active members. And we are
immensely grateful for the teaching and counseling that we continue to receive
on an ongoing basis. We serve, we give, and we’re accountable. I wouldn’t have
it any other way. I can’t imagine why anyone would ever want to get married at
one of those quickie drive-thru chapels.
But here’s the thing: Church membership is voluntary. Our spiritual
covering remains, only for as long as we remain in the fellowship. We can leave
at any time, and no one can stop us. Free country, and all that. What do you do
then?
My wife is a big fan of the Judge Judy show. Her Honor
adjudicates hundreds of cases every year, but maybe a fifth of them are in the
realm of what I call “jilted lovers.”
Jack and Diane met, fell in love, and quickly moved in together. After a
while they broke up, and now Diane wants to be reimbursed for her car, blender,
and half of the household expenses.
Judy’s response, in EVERY case? “You decided to play house
without the benefit of marriage, and now you want me to sort out the pots and
pans of your lives.”
Moral judgments notwithstanding, she’s right. Yes,
absolutely, marriage is a spiritual union. But it’s also a pairing of two sinners
who will eventually learn the full extent of each other’s sins. A state-issued
marriage license creates a legal contract that protects both parties. Unmarried
couples don’t get those same protections, even on a Hollywood soundstage.
What would Jesus do? Well, I don’t think he approves of
divorce in the first place. But if you’ve already crossed that bridge, I don’t
believe he would let you just run away without consequence. He would demand
that you pay your bills. Provide for an indigent spouse. Protect the interests
of innocent children.
Accountability! What a concept. No church has the authority to
enforce these things. A state-issued marriage license can.
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