LOOK AND LEARN and CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

LOOK AND LEARN and CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
I was talking to my brother/pastor-friend today, Gregory Moody, about the rapid decline of our present world, and the future status of believers and the church in America. With the venomous attitude of society and government toward Christ, His word and His followers, there will be more attacks and restrictions placed on believers and the Church.

One of the main targets in the cross hairs right now is Christian marriage, or at least marriages performed by Christian ministers, and performed in buildings that are dedicated to the honor and service of Christ. Brother Greg and I are part of that very small group of pastors in America who will not sell out the ministry for either material gain or public acceptance or legal favor. Marriage was founded by God and Christian marriage has been the stay in our culture.

However, the government also lays claim to having authority to solemnize marital relationships. This is not altogether a wicked thing, but when the State sees itself as the ultimate authority concerning the joining of a MAN AND WOMAN (since there is no other kind of true marriage), then there is a problem. But, it is true that a State recognized marriage affords people certain financial and legal protections, which are not necessarily bad to have. The problem is when the State wants to control the Church or rule over God's ministers in any area of ministry, including Christian marriage.

For a different reason, I faced and solved the problem of being loyal to my calling to serve the One and Only Head of the Church, while at the same time recognizing the right of the State to rule in earthly, legal matters.

My solution was not original with me, but I chose this path, without any advice, counsel, or teaching from anyone else. It was not until I had settled on this solution that I started to realize that other cultures and periods of history had actually gone this way ahead of me. So, here it is. (Brace yourself, some of it will be a little radical for some folks.)

Only God can solemnize and certify a Christian wedding. Christian ministers should only officiate Christian weddings, meaning that only Christians can actually experience a Christian marriage. Just think about it, there is no way a non-believer can celebrate a ceremony that recognizes and submits to only the God of the Bible as the Supreme Being, and makes commitments in the Name of Jesus Christ.

As a minister of Christ and His Church, I have only one Head, to whom I answer for my ministry, therefore I am not licensed by the State, and our church does not have a government 501 c3 status. No man can tell me what I can and cannot do in obedience to Christ. When the State tries to usurp the position of Christ, they are in conflict with God, and I must obey God, rather than men.

When I officiate a wedding, it is strictly a service under the authority of God. When a minister of the gospel marries a couple, then they are married in the eyes of God, AND THAT IS ALL THERE IS TO IT. When a Christian marriage is celebrated, the marriage bond is sealed and does not need the approval of the State. However, if a couple wants to have the legal and financial protections in their relationship, they can go to the State and get the State approval also. In other words, there is the Christian wedding, which God recognizes, and there is the State action, which is strictly for human legal and financial recognition. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is not an essential thing to make them man and wife. It is only a legal step that may protect the couple from various problems.
(This ought to raise a few eyebrows).

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
I thought about making a new POST for this comment, because I think it is worthy of a stand alone, but I decided to make it a comment to this post instead.

For those who might not be agreeing with my statement that a Christian wedding ceremony, a Christian marriage, should only involve born again believers who are walking in the light that they have, consider this. Look at a Christian wedding ceremony.

* Is there any part of that service that is "faith specific?" In other words, is there anything said that is only applicable to those who follow Christ and adhere to Biblical beliefs?

also

* In what capacity is the minister officiating over the service and under what authority does he perform the ceremony? Is he representing God in any capacity? Is he making the pronouncement in the name of God?

also

* Is God (whether Father, Son or Holy Spirit), or faith, or the Church, or Biblical authority referred to in the service? Are the participants acknowledging the authority of God in the service? Are the people in the congregation thinking that this is a Christian marriage?

also consider

** If a minister of the gospel gives Christian or Church approval/sanction to a wedding service, knowing that either the bride or groom is not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, then he is participating in a sham.

** If a minister gives church recognition to a marriage, because he sees it as his civil responsibility, then he has brought the Church under the lordship of the State.

and finally

There have been religious institutions in the past that saw their service and duty as a public responsibility or under State authority. But remember, there is only one Head of the Church, and that is Jesus. The Church and the State are not one and the Church is not subject to State rule, regarding spiritual matters.

The State claims the right to certify marriages and the State oversteps its boundaries again when it issues DIVORCE. A marriage that is under the authority of the State is under the rule of the State. A marriage under the authority of God is under the rule of God. When a marriage is under the authority of God, not only is there a sense of Divine responsibility, there is also a sense of Divine enabling in time of difficulty. There is also a sense of accountability to God, rather than just the State, when it is a Christian marriage.