Should a Follower of Christ be a Witness to a State Marriage

One Sonday morning back in 1984, I picked up the Indianapolis Star newspaper and saw the headline in big bold letters - MARRIAGE IS PARTNERSHIP.

Instantly, I knew we had another problem. Believing that everything we do, everything we say, every breath we take, should conform to the Laws, Statutes, Commandments and Perfect Will of God, this "Supreme Court of Indiana" decision screamed at me - as loud as the headline - that "their laws are the supreme law of the land" and were above God's Laws.

I have often asked people the simple question, "Is marriage a partnership?" Christians and nonchristians alike, almost always answer this question with a "Yes."

However, when discussing this in light of the Scriptures, the answer must always come back to, "No, Scripturally speaking, marriage is not a partnership."

In Ephesians 5:22-24 the Scripture says (also see I Corinthians 11):

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Ecclesia: and he is the saviour of the body.

Therefore as the Ecclesia is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

For those who truly care about "doing things" God's way, the husband is the head of the wife, the leader in the home.

Biblical marriage is not a partnership. In a partnership, both parties have equal say, equal responsibility, equal liability, etc. In many ways, this sounds harmless enough. But in reality, it goes toward attacking the concept of "couverture" - the relationship that God expects - no, demands - from a husband toward his wife. He is the protector and provider. He is the "covering" for his wife. He is responsible to God for the direction of the family. He is the final authority on decisions that are made (where controversy might arise) - because he is the one who must answer directly to God for the things his wife and family does.

But what the Indiana "Supreme Court" was saying about "marriage" was the opposite of what God says about marriage. "Partnership" is not "couverture." It went on to explain that when a marriage license is filed, a legal "Limited Partnership" is created. So who is in this "partnership?" Is it the husband and the wife? Yes. But is it more than that? Yes. The legal "Limited Partnership" is 1/3 interest the husband, 1/3 interest the wife - but what about the rest? THE CONTROLLING INTEREST IN THE PARTNERSHIP IS THE ONE WHO CREATED THE PARTNERSHIP - the state.

It is an unchallengeable position that the state does not have the controlling interest in a state marriage. It is proven daily.

Several times throughout the Scriptures, references are made to "great whoredoms" and "great adulteries filling the land." Those passages made me wonder at how so many people and marriages were caught up in adultery. Then it came to me. When it says the "land committed great whoredom" - did that mean physical whoredom and adultery? Spiritual whoredom and adultery? Or maybe both or a combination of both? I don't know and I don't think it matters definitively.

In America today, it can be said that "the land hath committed great whoredom." If a marriage license creates a legal "Limited Partnership" - with THREE partners - that is adultery. Is there a difference between physical adultery and spiritual adultery? Jesus said in Matthew 5:27-28,

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

There was no physical act of adultery, but Jesus apparently didn't distinguish between the two. To Jesus, spiritual adultery was the same as physical adultery. "Whoso hath ears to him, let him hear and whoso hath eyes to see, let him see."

So, I realized there was a problem with a state "marriage license" almost 35 years ago. Say what you will, but I believe there is conclusive evidence to state with certainty, the state "marriage license" produces, at the least, spiritual adultery.

Today, the state issues a "marriage license" to a non-christian male/female couple, a Christian male/female couple - AND TO SODOMITES. The "state" is in a STATE OF REBELLION - if nothing else than the issue of marriage - and "Christians" so-called - apparently do not a have a problem requesting and accepting a "marriage license" from the state. To the "state" there isn't any difference between a male/female marriage and a sodomite marriage.

The proof of legal "Limited Partnership" should have been enough to wake Christians up - but it hasn't. Now, the "state" issues "licenses" to SODOMITES - and we STILL don't see a problem with it. What is it going to take for Christians - so-called - to WAKE UP?!?

A state marriage license is ABOMINATION to all that God calls holy in relation to marriage.

It creates a "partnership" in violaton of Ephesians 5.

It destroys the concept of couverture. It could easily be said that it DID DESTROY the concept of couverture! Have you even heard of the word "couverture" in your life?

It puts Holy Matrimony in the same realm as legalized SODOMITE MARRIAGES.

It's a LICENSE. The legal definition of license according to the world, is - A permission, accorded by a competent authority, conferring the right to do some act which without such authorization would be illegal, or would be a trespass or a tort.

Competent authority? Competent authority issues "permits" to sodomites to marry? Is marriage illegal? Is marriage a trespass or a tort? The only thing they got right about "license" is requiring sodomites to have one, because sodomy is against the Law. But God, in His Law, WOULD NEVER issue a "license" to do something wrong!

But, you say, people don't know these things. We are oftentimes quick to quote Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...." So who then is going to bring the people out of darkness?

Who is going to be the voice of God? Who is going to speak for God on this issue? Where is the salt? Where is the light?

Exodus 23:

Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

What are the people who attend a wedding called? They are called "witnesses." I don't believe anyone wants to be offensive on purpose, do they? I know I don't. But sometimes, being the voice of God is offensive. Sometimes, speaking for God is not popular. I cannot with a clear conscience before my God, attend a wedding where I know the happy couple has applied for a state marriage license and go there and be a witness and sit there and smile and act like all is fine with what is going on.

All is NOT FINE. Where are the preachers that God has used to trumpet His warnings to the people that the way they are walking will lead to destruction? Where are the preachers who speak the truth no matter the consequence?

Many years ago I was sharing my marriage license views with a "Christian" lady who began railing on me, even lifting her voice in opposition to what I was saying. When she settled down a little, she told me how wreckless and careless it would be if marriage licenses were not issued. The basis of her argument was that marriage licenses prevented the spread of venereal diseases because of the mandatory blood tests that went with the license application. Here was my reply... "You mean to tell me that two followers of Christ who want to get married - should be screened for venereal diseases? My VIRGIN CHILDREN that should be marrying VIRGIN MEN & WOMEN - HAVE NO CONCERN FOR VENEREAL DISEASES and to even utter the concept that those who follow Christ are threats for spreading vds is reprehensible!!!" To which, this lady had no reply.

If we as followers of Christ truly loved people the way we are supposed to, wouldn't we let them know the path they have chosen is rebellion to God? If your child was standing at the side of the road getting ready to step into traffic and get killed - would you just stand there and say or do nothing? Or, would you scream out in warning and do everything in your power to prevent tragedy?

Marriage is the bedrock of society. This society allowed "couverture" to be replaced with "partnership" and hardly anyone said a word. Now, sodomite marriage is "legal" in society. Oh yes, some spoke out. But now, just a year later, and you don't hear much about it, do you? What's next?

Flailing away at sodomite marriage is just smacking at the tree limbs - and yes - we should be smacking at the tree limbs. But the problem is not just the limbs, it is the whole tree. It needs to come down and be thrown into the fire.

A couple years ago, I was asked to attend the "wedding" of a family member. I couldn't attend. I can't just sit there and smile and act like everything's great - when I know it isn't. Am I suggesting going to these "weddings" and causing a big fuss? I'm not. Though I wouldn't criticize someone for "Not holding their peace" when asked. Sometimes not attending, can speak louder than attending.