march 2012
CityLight.org 29
Marriage, the Deficit
& Christianity
By Joe Grimaud
they get from the parent they live with who
now has to concentrate more time on family
support. They are torn between two parents
living in different communities or even far
away from each other. They are often forced to
choose between the two. They are torn by the
feelings of two natural parents to each other,
both of whom they love. These things cause
the child to be less certain of the correct path
of their own to take. They become less confi-
dent in adult opinions, even those which would
grant good advice. And they are more likely
to take paths which lead to promiscuity, poor
friendships, trouble with the law, and a repeti-
tion of what they experienced in life, feeling it
is the norm.
Unwed parenting is just as bad or worse, and
that is often introduced by the infidelity of par-
ents who become divorced. These things cause
massive expenses to families and to our society.
Single parents, whether unwed or divorced, on
average earn less and have less time, if any, for
their children. It leaves children unguided and
feeling unloved. And the cycle continues. How
does that impact our deficits and national debt?
The massive costs of lack of guidance in educa-
tion, welfare, crime, and incarceration lead to
massive costs in society.
But these are the symptoms. There is a bet-
ter reason than the above to remain pure until
marriage, and maintain fidelity in the marriage.
God has spelled it out for us in His Word.
Now I know there are a number who will read
this article who are either single parents or af-
fected by a divorce. Many may be raising chil-
dren and asking, "So what do I do with this? It
has already happened in my life." How do we
change the direction in my family, much less in
our society?
God's word says, "All have sinned and come
short of the Glory of God." And He came to
Earth in the form of Jesus and was a sacrifice
at Calvary that we might accept Him and be
forgiven of our sins. After accepting Him, we
have to do what He said, "Go and sin no more."
We can then exhibit a new life in front of our
children and others, and exercise the discipline
over our families that help them not to make
the mistakes that we may have made.
1 JoHn 2
1 My dear children, I write this to you so that
you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have
an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the
Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for
our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins
of the whole world. 3 We know that we have come
to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever
says, "I know him," but does not do what he com-
mands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.
5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a]
is truly made complete in them. This is how we
know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in
him must live as Jesus did.
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15 Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is
not in them. 16 For everything in the world--the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride
of life--comes not from the Father but from the
world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but
whoever does the will of God lives forever.
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Our mistakes do not have to be repeated.
Continued from page 4