Lay it to Heart

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Renewing Your Vows

Pagan marriage ceremonies are now creeping into the church. The "code words" are "Renewing your vows". Is it really right? What part of "as long as you both shall live" didn't you understand? What? You broke your vow? Saying it again won't wash away your sin. Only the blood of Jesus can do that. If you haven't forsaken your vows, why do you need to say them again? Marriage is not like a driver's license that needs to be renewed. It doesn't expire if you don't keep up your subscription. You may mean well but ask yourself, "Does this lessen the value and permanency of marriage in the eyes of the world"? I believe it does. Renewing vows takes away from the authority of the original vows.

What does the Bible say about marriage? Matthew 19:5-6 says, "And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." God intended marriage to be permanent. When marriage renewal starts becoming popular, the meaning of "as long as you both shall live" will become polluted. Some Christians complain about the redefinition of marriage by certain governments but they are polluting the definition themselves.

A life sentence in prison used to mean forever. Now parole is possible in some areas after just seven years. Will marriage now have to come up before a review board?