Here are some thoughts on marriage, family and religious freedom.

God has a plan and a goal for us. Jesus is clear on what that is when it comes to marriage.

“I believe marriage is not just a bond but a sacred bond between a man and a woman.” ~Hillary Clinton

Mrs. Clinton changed her  mind.

You know, I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. ~Carly Fiorina

Mrs. Fiorina hasn’t changed her mind.

“I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.” ~Barack Obama

President Obama changed his mind.

“I believe a marriage is between a man and a woman.”  ~George W. Bush

Former President Bush hasn’t changed his mind.

“I remain opposed to same-sex marriage. I believe marriage is an institution for the union of a man and a woman.” ~Bill Clinton 

Former President Clinton changed his mind.

“In marriage a man becomes one flesh with a woman—no longer two individuals.” ~Jesus (see blog here)

I don’t believe Jesus has changed his mind about what marriage is and why it is important that marriage is between a man and woman. God’s goal for is to spiritually love everyone so this is not about discrimination based on sexual orientation. It is about what marriage is, why it is important and the religious freedom we have to freely express our faith. What Jesus has to say on this is instructive. Here is the whole story from Matthew 19.

One day the religious leaders (Pharisees) were badgering him: “Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

He answered, “Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh—no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.”

They shot back in rebuttal, “If that’s so, why did Moses give instructions for divorce papers and divorce procedures?”

Jesus said, “Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hard heartedness, but it is not part of God’s original plan. I’m holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery.”

Jesus’ disciples objected, “If those are the terms of marriage, we’re stuck. Why get married?”

But Jesus said, “Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn’t for everyone. Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked—or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you’re capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it.”

The Bible and Jesus insists that marriage has everything to do with a commitment between a man and a woman. This marriage carries with it the possibility of producing children. From the beginning of Genesis to the end of Revelation, the Bible is consistent in it’s use of spousal language in referring to marriage being between a husband and wife (meaning male and female). One activist and revisionist Supreme Court ruling cannot overthrow the truth about marriage expressed in faith. But it is not only faith but thousands of years of reason as well.

Consider this. The new norm for belief that marriage is between a man and a woman as Jesus clearly taught us will to not say so to avoid being call a bigot. Jesus is the truth. He commissioned us to go and teach all nations the way of God. We must rebuild our culture, world wide, to understand what marriage is and why it is important.

“When I say things like ‘Marriage should be between one man and one woman,’ I’m called a bigot.” ~Rick Santorum

And Marco Rubio has a point:

Supporting the definition of marriage as one man and one woman is not anti-gay: it is pro-traditional marriage. And if support for traditional marriage is bigotry, then Barack Obama was a bigot until just before the 2012 election. ~Marco Rubio