I don’t know what kind of response to expect from this next commentary, but I’ll take my chances: Milrae and I went to the hair salon recently to get our hair cut, and group of young women were discussing some pastors who had refused to marry couples that were living together. At the end of the discussion, one young lady wondered aloud, “What’s the big deal?”
I couldn’t keep silent, so I said this: As a pastor, I would have to take the side of those other men, and I believe that a couple should live apart until marriage. Needless to say, the conversation came to a rather abrupt end. I would like to take this opportunity to expand on my statement.
First of all, God’s word says couples living together outside of marriage are living in sin. This is not news, and this sin is no more or less a sin than any other. As with any other sin, it is forgivable. Also, statistics have proven that living together before marriage leads to a greater possibility that the marriage will fail. Most pastors I know who choose not to bless that kind of relationship, would be glad to conduct the ceremony if the concerned parties would confess the sin, repent of it, and live apart for a time as evidence of that repentance. You see, in God’s eyes, and in his plan for marriage, it is a “big deal”, even if the culture we live in tells us it doesn’t matter.
Speaking the Truth in love,
Pastor Jerry
sandhillspastor 
Posted by Jenn on September 30, 2013 at 3:43 pm
This happened to a couple that attends the same church that I do. The pastor confronted them about their living situation and they opted to live apart for the required time and then be married. It was a wonderful thing! They were held accountable and if you ask them, they will tell you they are both better people for it. The “big deal” is that right is right and wrong is wrong, period. The “big deal” is that those men were standing for what they believe in. People wonder why the world is on the downhill swing? My answer is that very few will stand for their beliefs in a world where we must always be tolerant and never hurt anyone’s feelings by telling them they are doing something wrong. I only hope that I have made close friends who love me enough to hold me accountable! 🙂
Thanks for the good word Jerry!
Posted by Betty on September 30, 2013 at 4:59 pm
Bless you Jerry for speaking out when it would have been easier to kept silent
Posted by Shari on October 1, 2013 at 3:44 am
AMEN! I am proud that you are my pastor and that you took a stand for God and His Word.