Pastor John Brohn: 'Challenge is to Stand up for Marriage While Society Grows Less Tolerant of Christianity'

There’s a huge debate going on in people’s hearts and minds about Minnesota's marriage amendment.  Have you asked yourself, "What has happened to us and to our world that we have to debate what makes a marriage?"

What is right? What is marriage?  At creation, almost everything God made was good. There was only one thing God saw that wasn’t good - Adam was alone. God quickly changed that by forming a companion for Adam from one of his ribs.

But, God's plan for marriage has been under attack since the beginning. Those attacks have continued and intensified over the centuries. The devil’s ancient question still skulks around today: “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1).   Now it has been re-framed as: "Did God really say that marriage is one man and one woman?"  

Jesus described God's plan for marriage, "But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.  ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,  and the two will become one flesh."  (Mark 10:6-8)   God's plan for marriage was established at creation:  One Man + One Woman = One Flesh for Life!

Marriage’s greatest enemy is Mankind's own sinful mind because as the Bible says, “It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:7).  Sinfully, our favorite word is “I.” “I think. I feel. I believe.” We don’t like to be told "no," not even by the Bible. 

This struggle is seen in the commercials pushing for people to vote “No.” In one, an actor looks into the camera and says, “It used to be there wasn’t even this discussion. Marriage was a man and a woman, but times change and I’ve thought about it more. My marriage is the most important thing in my life. Who am I to deny that to anybody? I’m not going to limit someone’s basic freedom just because I’m uncomfortable.” Can you hear that favorite word? “I think that times have changed.  I have thought about it.  I have come to a new conclusion.” What is right doesn't depend on what I think or if I have changed my mind!  God’s Word isn't up for vote.

Our challenge is to stand up for marriage while the rest of society grows less tolerant of Christianity every day. Those of us who are married can give a clear witness to those around us by treasuring the gift of marriage that he has given us.  If we aren’t married, we can show that we treasure marriage by honoring the love of husbands and wives and keeping ourselves pure in God’s sight.

What is marriage? God’s definition is simple: One Man + One Woman = One Flesh for Life. God’s Word hasn’t changed, and it won’t change. No matter which way people vote, and even if this amendment is defeated, it won’t change God’s Word. Marriage is God’s gift to us and to society. Let’s treasure it and honor it with our hearts, our lips, and our lives!

To God alone the glory!

-- Pastor Jonathan Brohn, Senior Pastor, Salem Lutheran Church & School, Stillwater.