Marriage requires unity and dedication

To the Editor:

Marriage is a lifelong joining of one man and one woman by God (Matt. 19:6). Those joined together “are no more twain but one flesh” (Matt. 19: 5-6; Gen. 2:24). Those joined together by God have responsibilities to each other given to them by God. They must join and yoke together and give what is due to each other as husband and wife. (1 Cor. 7:3,5). They are to live joyfully with one another in this life (Eccl. 9:9).

In Christ, husband and wife are equal in essence and nature (Gal. 3:28). Within the marriage, God has set individual responsibilities to each. The husband is to love his wife unconditionally and give himself for her as Christ did for His church (Eph. 5:25). He is responsible to lead her spiritually in the ways of God (1 Cor. 14:34-35) and provide her with all she requires for a good life with him (1 Tim. 5:8). The wife is to submit to her husband as unto the Lord (Eph. 5:24-25). I see this as being loving, respectful, honoring, and trusting toward him.

As I think of the marriage commitment, it should be a life of unity and oneness. It should also be working together and leaning on one another. Marriage should mean seeking each other’s strengths and helping each other with their weaknesses and standing together against evil and serving God according to the truth of His word.

Jim Batt

Mexico, Pa.

(Editor’s Note: The letter below was received prior to the publication of a cartoon with the same theme.)

Do you have common sense?

To the Editor:

Starting around 2019, gender equality, Critical Race Theory, DEI, 1619, BLM and the beginning of Covid-19 began to coagulate into what became known as “woke.” Some of these ideas had been around a long time, and some of them were new. I believe the murder of George Floyd consolidated and carried these Liberal crosses to a hill that no person of common sense could understand or tolerate.

All of this got me to sit up and take notice. I was never into politics that deeply. I never wanted to voice my opinion to everyone I knew. I let my vote do that for me. The ebb and flow of politics was always normal. There was no need to be unduly concerned, but now I was angry that a concerted effort was underway to change biology, to change brand names and to remove statues. I had to defend what I felt was right. I felt common sense was under attack. Without it, I knew we were all in trouble.

If these ideas were valid and worthwhile, where have the supporters gone who objected to my cry for common sense? Are they embarrassed, or in denial? No, I believe they were voted into obscurity by people with common sense!

What do people with little or no common sense do when they find out their ideas are hypocritical or invalid? My favorite: (No one is above the law, except the millions of illegals crossing borders). They find or manufacture a new one. Liberals are paying the price for their stance on the border, defunding the police, biology, and affirmative action, among others. I believe liberals will continue to pay until they find common sense.

The latest headline debate among governors, mayors, and Trump can be summed up in this analogy.

(Two liberals are in a knife fight. The local police can’t keep them from killing each other. A conservative yells to local and state governments, I can help your constituents from killing each other, if you let me! The liberal leaders yell, stay away, we don’t need or want your help! We are completely capable of killing ourselves!)

I believe, if you have common sense, you can understand this analogy. If you have Trump derangement syndrome, you don’t understand! You don’t see the prevention of crime. You see invaders. Troops are not taking over the administration of local government or removing elected officials. They are going to show a law enforcement presence to deter crime. Just because Trump has a good idea, the liberals hate it.

It’s 2025, do you know where your common sense is?

Michael C. Spahr

Lewistown