The Marriage Issue: Divorce, and remarriage?
According to recent statistics it is claimed that the Church herself has a higher divorce rate than the secular world, now that is a very sad commentary and reflection upon the Church per se, could it be due to our misinterpretation and misapplication of the biblical injunctions and admonitions on marriage and divorce as found in the bible? Should not the Church be the first to exemplify restoration and forgiveness?
Yet it is clearly evident in our society today, that we live in a world were many oppose and even seek to destroy the marriage unit as a whole?
In an attempt to destroy and break up the family structure, It is imperative that we recognize and understand that this attack is led and orchestrated by the demonic forces of Satan himself, of course with alil help from our human nature, you know that selfish, unforgiving, carnal nature of ours?
“ for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against powers, principalities.. spiritual wickedness in high places..”
for example; The liberal politicians, educational leaders, Planned parenthood, the New World Order, the One world Church? the global elitist? the United Nations and the Gay rights lobby?
As extreme and paranoid as this may sound these groups indeed seek to destroy all semblence of the fAmily unit as established by God himself, in an effort to remove the moral fabric of society, which in turn holds this world and the nations together, keeping us minded and focused on the true Lord Jesus Christ!
“ Wherein we stand in the hope of the glory of God”
Who is the only answer to this empty, hungry, hurting and adulterous society, with all its troubles, hatred and despair..
( there is indeed a secret agenda by many in high places to destroy the sovereignty of nations by attacking and destroying the sovereignty of the family in order to bring all under the power and influence of one individual or group )
“ Mathew 12: 25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house (family) divided against itself shall not stand: 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
Indeed there are many views and interpretations in regards to the biblical mandates & principles on marriage & divorce? but we must maintain the literal and albeit biblical meaning of scripture in order that we not be misled? nor deceived? “ for all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, correction.. instruction in righteousness.” for no prophesy (writings) of the scripture is of any private interpretation for the prophesy came not by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Spirit of God”
Now let us look at the scriptures dealing with marriage and divorce;
“Marriage is honorable in all.. the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” Hebrews 13:4
Yes while some will take their marriage vows lightly and even view infidelity as the norm?
let us remember that marriage is a sacred institution ordained of God! and above all should be honored just as much we should honor our mates also!
“ husbands love your wives even as a Christ loved the Church”
Herein lies much of the problem? if we could and would learn but to love our mates, to love each other unconditionally, sacrificially, then many a failing marriage including broken children’s hearts
(yes lets not forget our precious children for they are the ones who pay the price for our selfish attitude and unforgiving heart)
Broken hearts that would and could be avoided! restored and healed, reconciled and strengthened; can you see where talking love here not lust? lust cannot wait to be fulfilled while love waits patiently before imposing itself.
Yet there are still some so immature they don’t know the difference or should I say do not want to know the difference? nor want the responsibilities or requirements of real love?
“and the Pharisees came to him and asked him, is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.. and they said Moses suffered (let) us to write a bill of divorcement, and put her away..”
Let us take note here that they came to him from the standpoint of the law so Jesus answered them from that perspective, the law said they could divorce, because the law was based on harshness, obedience, and exactness.
But Jesus was showing that he had a greater purpose and plan which was Love for love would go beyond the law and offer hope and forgiveness not guilt and condemnation nor judgment in other words.
Jesus was eventually wanting to over ride the spirit of divorce with the spirit of love, Let us also bare in mind that at this time men were putting away their wives even killing them for the most trivial of reasons? some were conservative some liberal in their thinking on this issue?
So they acted out according with what they were being taught at either the school of the Helliel or the Shammai, Perhaps Moses did allow the writing of a divorce to replace the killing of their wives? And in hope that while taking the time to write a bill of divorce the husband would have time to cool down and reconsider such rapid, harsh and foolish decisions?
And thus reconcile! ..
let us also bare in mind that this same Jewish writing of divorce did include within it a provision for a legal release, and an allowance for remarriage of either mate if and only if there was adultery by one of the mates ?
So when he (God=Jesus) seemingly allowed for a writing of divorce he also was aware it would include a provision for remarriage at divorce rather than death thus eliminating the need to kill ones mate in order to remarry.
Could this have been the logic behind Moses decision?
Which may not give his divorce and remarriage policy much credibility in any case God always prefers that the marriage not be dissolved and that there be forgiveness, trust and reconciliation, ’ and be ye tender hearted, kind, loving, without malice, forbearing one another and forgiving one another as I have forgiven you, and be ye reconciled”
Now with that in mind lets take a more in depth and thorough look at this situation again where they came to try Jesus and let us review his comments.
“ and Jesus answered them, for the hardness of your hearts he wrote (allowed) you the precept.. but from the beginning it was not so .. for God made them male and female.. for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; and they two shall become one flesh , they are no more two but one.. what therefore God hath joined together let not man put assunder.. and whosoever marrieth another committeth adultery..
Mark 10:2-12 “ 11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery. “ Paul speaking to the Church said “ and not I but the Lord command the woman not to depart from her husband but if she depart
( Notice: If they depart in rebellion and disobedience to Gods command?
To many have taken this verse as an excuse to allow separation and departure despite the preceding command by the Lord not to depart? )
let her remain unmarried or be reconciled” In other words she better not even think of remarrying if she departs against the will and command of the Lord.
What do u think sounds rather straight forward huh?
Did you notice that they went back to tradition out of convenience and lust when it came to the question of marriage and divorce, but Jesus went back to the origin or beginning out of conviction and love.
(the Jews actually have a tradition or belief as part of their custom that at birth each child is given at birth a part or half of the male & female genetic structure? and that it is at marriage that the two actually come together and become one flesh in totality and are thus not to part nor even able to be parted? without severe repercussions
Again bare in mind that at that time many men were actually putting away their wives some supposedly to draw closer to God in service? others simply to marry another with no apparent basis or justification for divorcing their first mate? though scripture does allow for a divorce we will discuss this later..
But here we see Moses allowed it because of the hardness of their heart?
but Gods choice or preference is/was that they would stay together and forgive, with one exception which leads us to the next scripture?
And even then it is still Gods desire for reconciliation if we choose to please him and not our flesh, this is providing the offending mate has shown true repentance and change; thereby the mandate for divorce would seem to be invalidated by the repentant spirit; for reconciliation and repentance always supercedes judgment and condemnation.
Remember the verse that we just read was dealing with those who were putting away their wives for no justifiable reason? which was more of a cultural demand or issue rather than a biblical requirement?
“ but I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife or husband, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her/him to commit adultery, and whosoever shall marry her/him that is divorced committeth adultery Mathew 5: 31- “ for what knoweth thou, oh wife, husband, whether thou shall save thy husband/wife?” for the unbelieving mate is sanctified by the believer..”
In many cases this verse is taken to mean you can only divorce but for the cause of adultery?
However the word used here in the Greek is Pornea which actually implies fornication which in turn is more broad and general in meaning and may actually mean or imply many forms of immorality or adultery? it usually involves a physical manifestation of sexual deviance of some sort ( like incest, adultery, prostitution, whoredom etc) and usually with another party for it takes two to fornicate, but some have even stretched it to include physical, emotional, mental or sexual abuse, physical abandonment, lewdness or perversion etc this is a far stretch though..
So we can see that there may actually be more than one reason for divorcing ones mate?
however let me insert here that if the sinning mate should repent and seek reconciliation and change, that would seem to nullify or over ride any biblical validity to divorce as Jesus first commandment concerning marriage is to forgive and forbear “ be ye tender hearted, kind, without malice, forgiving, one another and be ye reconciled..” Now lets see how Paul addressed the issue “ but if the unbeliever depart ( Notice it saids the unbeliever not the saint, this is very important to take note of in order to rightly understand and apply this verse ) let him depart a brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases”
We are not talking about a Christian departing ONE who should know better and example agape love to others especially their mate; for him or her to depart would be adultery, again the word used for bondage in the Greek implies not under a legal requirement, obligation, or bondage thus there is no legal obligation to remain in the marriage per se, but again does that nullify any biblical injunctions on forgiveness? “ for Jesus first commandment concerning marriage saids to “ be without malice, forbearing one another, forgiving one another, and be ye reconciled” “ and a new commandment give I thee; that ye love one another as I have loved thee” and that by the way is unconditional love, so again it boils down to who do we want to please God or flesh?
Do we choose obligation or desire? the will of God or man? do we look for and see a biblical loop hole to divorce or a divine mandate to mercy? yes these are difficult questions, but they must be faced prayerfully and sincerely, dare I say biblically, “ for what knowest thou oh wife / husband whether thou shalt save thy husband/wife.. for the unbelieving mate is sanctified by the believer”
In conclusion: We can clearly see scripture addresses the issue of marriage and divorce with allowance for the dissolution of the marriage in some cases but only because of the hardness of ones heart which does not sit to well with Gods will or his word? so we can clearly see the desire of God is somewhat contrary to divorce where he would rather that we would reconcile and be restored ? we must realize only thru prayer, meditation, study, and divine assistance can one truly make a biblical decision that would bring lasting peace, true peace! true wholeness! to God be the glory! the real answer is to choose our mates wisely? and to take the marriage vows honorably and sacredly, for once you get into it you may not get out of it? at least not biblically....
Prepared by : Rev. George R. Nava- 2170 e. Market street . Stockton, Ca phone -46-59731
let me insert one more comment regarding the Catholic divorce known as ANNULMENT.
This was created as a way to get around the divorce issue.
However it is neither biblical nor acceptable.
Just because an institution be it Governmental or Ecclesiastical makes a law or regulation.
This does not mean that it is acceptable or biblical.
Neither does it imply that we must obey or accept it.
When man makes laws or loopholes that contradict Gods word we are obligated to obey the higher law being Gods word. Peter said we rather obey God than man”