TWO BECOME ONE

In our modern culture, sin is no longer sin; and sins that used to be sins are no longer sins.  Is there still such a thing as sin?  If so, who determines what sin is — political correctness, peer pressure, government, self, or God?  The issue is always the same — will we please men or God?  We need to turn to God’s “Operations Manual,” the Bible.  This is our only eternal religious authority.

(1) God made them male/female at the beginning (Genesis 1:26-27). Jesus “amened” this (Matthew 19:4-6).  This is the basic law of life.  Every child is born male or female. Every obituary is male or female.  Every boy is to grow into a man; every girl is to become a woman.  Woman cannot breed; man cannot birth.  Males and females marry (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6).  Two men cannot reproduce; two women cannot reproduce.  Male and female become one.  It takes three to get married - male, female and God.

(2) Sin is still a sin.  Homosexuality is sin.  Lesbianism is sin. Fornication is sin. Adultery is sin.  Divorce involves sin.  Pornography is sin.  Smutty talk is sin.  Dirty jokes are sin.  Lust is sin.  Casual sex is more than sin - it is blasphemy. Immoral sex devalues the body, mind and soul.  Paul used terse language (I Corinthians 6:13-20) to condemn immorality.  Illicit sex involves the psyche.  Our bodies belong to God.  To be joined with a harlot not only violates God, but also violates our bodies.  Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Elders, preachers, parents, teachers must teach this boldly.  There are physical consequences; there are eternal consequences.  Take care of your body.  Don’t ruin your life, destroy your conscience, lose your soul.  Our children must be taught purity – sex is only in marriage.  Only holy people in marriage can plumb the depths of human sexuality. One man, one woman, one life.

(3) God gave us marriage, family, home. It is not good for man to be alone. There is no substitute. Marriage itself is under attack today. There are live-ins, sleep-overs, companions, special friends. We preach commitment but fail to grasp that prior to commitment there must be humility and submission. Moderns now promote covenant marriage. What other kind could there be? Externals fail. Character prevails. Jesus humbled Himself and submitted to His bride (Ephesians 5:21-33). Husbands must do the same. Because of this, the church submits to Christ. Wives must do the same. In marriage, mates humble themselves, submit, then commit.

(4) Singles must have a vision for their future home. Magically, most seek “the male of my dreams.” Vision begins with me! This is who I must be to marry. If you are not happy single, you will not be happy married. It is not a job for mates to change mates – let God change people. The rites won’t right them, and the altar won’t alter them. All must decide not to do sinful things to get a mate. If you cheat before marriage, you will cheat after marriage. Have a high standard. In dating this hits you; “this person is whom I demand!” Mates must first have character. Christians only marry holy people. Mates must be hard workers. Rebekah (Isaac’s wife) came to water camels. Do you know how much water camels drink (Genesis 24)? The virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 was a hard worker. Men provide and protect. Vision sees character and work. Marry a mate that can go to heaven with you. There is no privilege as mates growing old together. Moderns spend all their time and money on weddings. Wise Christians spend their time on marriage.

(5) God hates divorce. Terse language in Malachi 2:16. Men hate remarriage; God hates divorce. Divorce is worse than death. Divorce, with Christians, is not an option. God blessed two to become one. Jesus observed, “What God has joined together let not man put separate” (Matthew 19:6 NKJV). Mates contemplating divorce should raise the question. “If I do not have the right to re-marry, then do I have a right to divorce?” Divorce destroys persons, children, families. Divorce traumatizes. The two who became one are not divided. The male/female bond is cut asunder. Divorce is suicide. The two must become one!

-- By Charles Hodge

Gospel Advocate, June 2002