One of the most challenging aspects of ministry is the complete destruction of the home, brought on by both spiritual warfare and the inherent sinfulness of humanity. It is one thing to see the sacred institution of the family attacked by television, media, and left-wing advocates of social order. 

However, when professing Christians manipulate the Bible in order to justify one's desire for sin, we must speak out. Last Tuesday (September 13, 2011) a person called in to Pat Robertson's well-known show, the 700 Club, and asked how one should handle the reality of one's spouse being effected with Alzheimer's. There is no doubt that Alzheimer's is one of the cruelest diseases known to mankind. Not for the patient, but the loved one's of the patient. 

Robertson responded by saying that it would be permissible for the spouse to divorce the person to whom they have pledged their love "till death do us part," because Alzheimer's "is a kind of death."

Regardless of one's view of Pat Robertson, we must all agree that this answer is wrong and unbiblical. This is nothing short of trying to use the Bible to justify one's own sinful actions. Pledging one's love to another for better or worse implies that the worst is a reasonable expectation. When the worst comes, we must continue to love the other nonetheless.

In Ephesians 5, Paul tells the church at Ephesus that marriage is like the church. Just as Christ loves the church in spite of her problems, so must the husband love the wife in spite of the problems. I am grateful that Christ loved me even when I had no mind to love Him! 

Allow me to draw two applications from this: 

First, the home is to be a reflection of the church. I am grateful to see husbands and wives who are "sticking it out" in spite of the challenges that this year has placed on LaJunta. Some of our family have suffered from ongoing physical challenges for months now. Their spouse standing by their side throughout these challenges is the visible demonstration of the Gospel. 

Second, love for one another in the church is the only proper response for our recognition of Christ's love for the church. In other words, why should we love one another? Becasue Christ has loved each one of us! The world thinks that we love someone in accordance with their worth to be loved. The world says, "I love you because you benefit me." But Christians, in accordance with Jesus, say "I love you even though you make my life difficult." 

Christian relationships are based on covenantal love. Covenantal love is an agreement to love one another in spite of our problems. Just as Christ loves us in spite of our sin, so should we love one another in spite of sin - both in the home and in the church. 

The fundamental flaw in Robertson's thinking is that we are required only to love those who make our lives easier. However, the Roman soldiers for whom Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of, certainly did not make His life easier.

Likewise, the husband or wife must continue to love their spouse, not because the Alzheimer's-stricken-patient makes life easier, but because they have made a commitment to do so.

We (the church) have made a commitment to love one another, as well. Granted, this is not always easy. But we have entered into a covenant to do that very thing. 

The advice of Robertson must be rejected in both the home and the church. I am grateful Christ did not follow the advice of Robertson. He loves me, even when I forget to love Him. May we love with Christlike love in the home and in the church. 

In the love of Christ, 

Pastor John Mann