“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8).
My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are a blessed people. God of a truth has led us in the past, is leading us now, and is actively opening the way before us!
He has separated us to Himself by the great cleaver of truth. He has given us the greatest message ever committed to mortals, the proclamation of the First, Second, and Third Angels’ Messages.
And I am so thankful that we are being called by our leadership to unite in taking this message to a lost and broken world.
But, I have a burden on my heart.
While my heart is rejoicing, it is also very heavy. As I look upon God’s precious Church, I see so many of our dear brothers and sisters wearing the marriage ring.
How can this be?
I know we have council that:
“In countries where the custom is imperative, we have no burden to condemn those who have their marriage ring; let them wear it if they can do so conscientiously” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pages 179-181).
(Imperative means something that is absolutely necessary, urgent, or vital.) This is to be an exception only if the person “can do so conscientiously”.
But now a days it is so common, and being done so openly as if to say, the marriage ring is not an issue anymore.
I have been blessed to give many people Bible studies with the Amazing Facts Study Guides (which I highly recommend). They show from Scripture the importance of laying aside ornaments of every kind. The wedding band included.
Lesson #26 “A Love That Transforms”
I’m not wanting to be judgmental. I’m not wanting to condemn any brother or sister. I think much of the problem is that we, as a people have not studied this subject out for ourselves, and we have not been taught this part of the message as we should have. But God has clearly given us direction in the Scriptures and in the Spirit of Prophecy against wearing ornaments of every kind.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But which becometh women professing godliness with good works (1 Timothy 2:9-10 (KJV).
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:3-4 (KJV).
In our past, it has been something known by many that we Seventh-day Adventist do not wear jewelry. It makes it quite difficult for church members that are giving Bible studies about Christian standards to seem credible, when their study interests come to an Adventist Church and see members, pastors, and even Church leaders wearing marriage rings.
I even had a pastor (about 6 years ago in another Conference) tell one of our Bible Study interests that was preparing for baptism that the wedding ring was not an issue. And I had to ask her, “Are you going to follow the Bible, or a pastor?”
In John Chapter 17, the Lord prayed for the unity of His Church.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:21).
I long for this unity.
The best way for us all to have unity is to follow the Word of God, not turning to the right hand or to the left. And not leaning on our own understanding.
We are all learning. We are all growing in grace, and we all have our personal struggles. Let us take them to the Lord. Let us hide our deficiencies in Him.
And let us watch Him give us the victories we need each day by faith in His name.
Jesus is coming soon.
Let us be faithful!
****
Aaron Patton is a lay preacher, ordained elder, and a member of the Carolina Conference, USA
