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May 11, 2007

Repent before you Marry

If two unchurched people are living together, pastors cannot expect them to cease living in a way the couple thinks is right. Instead of placing conditions upon them—"I will not officiate your wedding unless you two stop co-habiting"—we as pastors should help them move toward a marriage commitment, and therein, help them take another positive step toward Christ. - CT (Bill Yaccino from Outreachmagazine.com)

Is this a show of grace that will bring this couple into the church or a pragmatic appeasement that will avoid conflict and give the fornicating pair a false view of the righteousness of God?

The author of the quote above considers following Christ to be a journey while Jesus says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:2 ) And, the Psalmist writes, "Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him." (Ps. 32:6)

The point is that the opportunity to repent and seek Jesus is now, today. Nudging a Christless couple in the right direction may produce a relationship free from strain and conflict, but will it lead sorrow that is according to [the will of] God and will it produce a repentance without regret, [leading] to salvation?

Posted by calvin at May 11, 2007 01:00 AM

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