A Worthy Resolution

The recent meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution dealing with the “Scandal of Southern Baptist Divorce.” Among other things, the resolution called on churches to “proclaim the word of God on the permanence of marriage, provide marriage enrichment opportunities, and marry only those who are biblically qualified to be married to one another.”

These three commitments could change the nature of the church. What if our lives reflected God’s plan for husbands and wives? What if the church were known for its commitment to marriage as evidenced in continuing opportunities to enrich and strengthen marraiges? What if the church (ministers and elders) were serious about biblical marriages?

We have turned our back too long on a plague that is destroying both the church and our families, subtly sending a false message to our youth, and bringing us into turmoil, decay, and destroyed spiritual lives. My sermon this past Sunday dealt with some of my own personal experiences in growing up in a single-parent home and reestablishing my relationship with my father after I became an adult. After the sermon, several expressed appreciation and mentioned similar situations in their own lives or extended families.

“There’s never a better time than now!” Churches, brothers and sisters in Christ: let us preach, encourage, and insist on God’s plan for marriage.