with the only clear biblical allowance for divorce being fornication (Matthew 5:32; 19:9).

Sexual involvement, either before marriage or with someone other than the marriage partner, is strictly for- bidden in Scripture (Exodus 20:14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-18) (Church of God

Practical Commitments: “Family Respon- sibility, Sanctity of Marriage”).

The blessing of anything short of this standard is to sanction that which is morally inferior to biblical standards and Church of God polity. At the same time, when a couple has fallen short but repents and is willing to submit to appropriate counsel and to make proper lifestyle adjustments while planning their wedding, the church is obliged to dem- onstrate grace.

Deciding what kind of marriage the church will bless is not a judgmental issue, and it is more than a moral question; it is a spiritual matter. The church must always reserve the right to say “no” when scriptural principles are violated. The pressure to compromise has never been greater and is destined to escalate. The incidence of cohabitation outside of mar- riage has increased by more than 1,000 percent since 1970. Nearly 50 percent of Americans between the ages of 20 and 40 will cohabit prior to marriage. Add to this the culture’s growing pressure toward the acceptance of same-sex marriage (a contradiction of terms, actually), and you readily see why the church must establish definite directives as to what it can and cannot bless.

“God cannot and does not bless any sexual union outside of the marriage covenant between one man and one woman (Hebrews 13:4). The church cannot bless that from which God would withhold His blessings!”

God cannot and does not bless any sexual union outside of the marriage cov- enant between one man and one woman (Hebrews 13:4). A holy God is not uncar- ing because He insists that His moral standards be honored. The church cannot bless that from which God would with- hold His blessings!

A pastor for 25 years, state youth director for six years, and state administrative bishop for seven years, James E. Cossey currently serves as the editor in chief of Church of God publications and as the senior editor of the

Church of God Evangel.

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