To Continue to Oppose Practice of Couples Living Together outside Marriage and To Support Pastors and Congregations Who Lovingly Call to Repentance, Give Absolution, and Help to Live in Harmony with God’s Word

WHEREAS, The Sixth Commandment commands Christians to live chaste and decent lives in word and deed (SC I, Ed. 1942); and

WHEREAS, God’s Word condemns fornication, that is, sleeping with someone who is not your spouse (Galatians 5; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3); and

WHEREAS, Jesus calls Christians not to conform to the ways of the world, but to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5) and to “abstain from the passions of the flesh” and to “[k]eep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable,” so that they may not accuse us of being evil doers (1 Peter 2:11–12); and

WHEREAS, God’s Word does not want us to live in a way that tempts others to sin. Living together outside of marriage not only sets a bad example, but it also tempts the youth of the congregation and those who may be struggling with sexual immorality to believe that this is acceptable Christian living. Jesus says, “whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6); and

WHEREAS, God’s Word calls Christians to repent of sin and bear fruit in keeping with repentance. St. Paul writes, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1); and

WHEREAS, Cohabitation before marriage in the Christian congregation isa common source of grief for faithful servants of the Word, whose work should “be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Heb. 13:17 NIV); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod affirm that couples living together outside of marriage are living contrary to God’s Word; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention voice their support for pastors and congregations who lovingly call such couples to repent, who offer absolution to them, and who help and guide such couples to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.