On faith: God votes yes

Talk about it

Up for vote by the people of Minnesota and, of course, Lake County, this November is the marriage amendment. Up for vote is this: A “Yes” vote means that you support an amendment to the state constitution that marriage is to be one man and one woman. A “No” vote means that there would be no amendment; in which case marriage could be just about anything anyone understands it to be. As a Christian pastor who, by God’s grace, intends to remain faithful to His will as found in Holy Scripture, I want to talk about God’s plan for marriage. God’s plan for marriage may be nothing new to many but since the meaning of this institution is in question it is obvious that it must still be discussed.

At the base of the marriage issue is whether or not one believes that the Bible is the Word of God, that God even exists and that he is the sole creator of all things. Obviously, there has been and always will be heated disagreement regarding the existence of God and the truth and relevancy of His Word. As a Christian I believe that the entire Bible is inspired by God and as such is true; it contains no errors. That being said, regarding marriage I will begin right at the beginning in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. In Genesis we learn that God created everything. He created people male and female. Genesis specifically states “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall be one flesh.” So, right from the beginning, God makes it clear that for all times and all places marriage is to be one man and one woman. That is our loving God’s plan for marriage. As I have discussed this topic with people some will finally say to me, “Well, that’s just your opinion.” To this I answer, “No, that’s God’s opinion.

About 4000 years after God created everything His Son Jesus, was born as a man. This was so that Jesus could live the perfect life that we, as sinners could not live. Then Jesus died on a cross to redeem us from our sins to and restore the broken relationship that our caused between us and God. So, by grace through faith in Jesus alone we have forgiveness. While on earth Jesus reiterates (in Matthew) God’s plan for marriage when He quotes Genesis.

Now, I know some will say, “You’re unloving. Why can’t you love and accept people for who they are and let them be.” One of my answers to their questions is a question: “If a child was about to put her hand on a hot stove what would you do? Would you say, “I’ll just let her be, I don’t want to “limit” her freedom? Or, if your neighbor’s house was on fire would you say, “That’s their business, I’ll just let them be”? No, if we truly love someone, we will want to keep them from hurtful behavior. Hurtful behavior could be some sort of addiction such as alcohol or gambling. It could be gossip, or petty theft, to name a few. It’s not just the heated issue regarding marriage. In any case God loves that person and wants to forgive them of any sin. And that’s what God calls us to do: to love people. And this not because we have to, but since God loves us we also love others. That’s why a “Yes” vote is God’s vote: because He loves us.

Pastor Kirk Schield serves Shepherd of the Lake in Two Harbors. He would be glad to discuss this or answer any questions you may have. You can reach him at 834-5345 or w61valley@hotmail.com

From the editor--Opinions expressed in the "On Faith" column are of the writers only and do not necessarily reflect those of the Lake County News-Chronicle.

Tags: on faith, opinion