Christians should live truth of biblical marriage

Who would have seen this coming?

A generation ago, the notion of amending America’s constitution to protect something as basic as marriage would have seemed unnecessary. The biblical model of marriage as the union of a man and a woman was accepted as the norm — a no-brainer.

But a generation of self-indulgence and false teaching, masquerading as enlightened tolerance, has changed all that.

And so this week the U.S. Senate debated changing the nation’s charter to protect society’s foundational institution: the traditional family.

The Senate considered a constitutional amendment declaring that marriage within the United States “shall consist only of a man and a woman.” The effort unfortunately was precipitated by advocates for gay marriage and similar legal unions for homosexuals, neither of which can be supported in Scripture.

Although the amendment ultimately failed, the issue lives on — and it is not merely a matter of politics or civil rights. It is a deeply spiritual issue because it strikes at the heart of Christianity.

The debate asks a question that forces all of us to remove any masks of compromise we’re wearing and speak up: Do we believe what the Bible teaches to be true, or can that truth somehow be adjusted from time to time to better harmonize with our culture?

Scripture admonishes us to do three things with truth: get to know it, speak out for it and live up to it.

“ Getting to know the truth. This ongoing debate over gay marriage is the right time to get reacquainted with God’s enduring design for matrimony. It is the oldest social institution in history.

The Genesis account of man’s creation makes it clear that God designed marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).

The writer of Hebrews says such marriage is “honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Scripture also teaches that marriage is a beautiful picture of Christ’s relationship with the church.

Just as Christ is head of the church, so a husband is the head of the family. Just as Christ died for the church, so a husband must die to himself and give his wife the unqualified love, devotion and sacrifice God has prescribed for her (Ephesians 5:22-33).

“ Speaking up for the truth. This is going to cost us something. We’ll be criticized and labeled as ignorant or mean-spirited when we speak up for God’s truth about marriage. That’s why it’s important to remember our mandate to speak the truth in love.

A friend who truly loves us will speak honestly out of a desire to help us, not to embarrass us or make us feel inferior.

Nonetheless, Jesus warned his disciples they’d be targeted for ridicule as they followed him. The gospel gives us peace with God but often leads to conflict with those who don’t believe.

The apostle Paul was labeled a madman when he shared his testimony with the Roman governor Festus, who just couldn’t understand how a learned man could believe what he was preaching. Paul’s response? “I am not mad … but speak the words of truth and reason” (Acts 26:25).

That’s our charge today whenever God’s truth is attacked: With bold love, speak truth and reason.

“ Living up to the truth. The Bible says we speak loudest for truth when we live it. As a spouse, that means the best thing I can do to preserve biblical marriage in my culture is to live out God’s plan for marriage in my private life. It’ll take me a lifetime to learn this.

Timothy’s mentor, Paul, cautioned him: “… Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Young Timothy’s example to his church would offset any shortcomings he might have in the eyes of some of its older members.

Likewise, the way Christians conduct themselves speaks louder than anything they say to the culture. Tragically, the divorce rate among Christians is not appreciably different from the rate among non-Christians in the United States.

And even mainline Christian churches have compromised by performing marriage ceremonies for homosexuals.

Frankly, a constitutional amendment describing God’s plan for marriage means absolutely nothing unless those who claim to believe God’s truth proclaim it through their lifestyle.

So don’t mourn the marriage amendment’s failure. It’ll likely be back. Besides, the real battle for morality is waged in the human heart, not in Congress.

This week’s news is yet another reminder to Christians to champion God’s design for marriage publicly and privately. It’s one man committed in love to one woman for life. Get to know that truth, speak out for it and live up to it.

Yes, this will be unpopular at times. But then, who would have seen this coming?