"'...Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate'" (Mark 10:9, NIV).
Divorce is nearly one of two marriages now, even among Christians because they are not walking in obedience. There are umpteen reasons to get divorced but most states now offer "no-fault" divorces so that anyone can get a divorce for virtually any reason, without even stipulating it. Sometimes one party is forced into it unwillingly and is a victim of sorts of the system. To mention a "for instance," divorce can cause permanent trauma to both parties--there may be delayed or long-term effects. Divorce isn't God's design but only a concession due to the hardness of man's heart. It is wise not to go beyond that which is written as 1 Cor. 4:6 says, and to stick to biblical guidelines. The Bible is very explicit that God SAYS "I hate divorce" (cf. Mal. 2:16)--it is only appropriate in certain cases--(i.e., that it's His will).
But believers are also capable of disobeying God and of falling into sin or rebellion, even backsliding and getting divorced when they should have reconciled or worked it out. But sometimes this is rendered impossible due to circumstances. Note that the Bible never gives believers permission to divorce due to falling out of love or what is legally termed "irreconcilable differences." But we all can make mistakes, fall short, and exhibit poor judgment and we are not to judge or make life difficult for someone's errors and confessed sins committed long ago.
God doesn't write anyone off as hopeless and out of it--He can work with any penitent soul; i.e., it's never too late for a fresh start with God and a clean slate when coming clean and making our peace with God. No need to say, "I've made a big mistake AND BLEW IT and I'll be paying for it the rest of my life." We can always get on track with God's BEST plan for our lives WITH ANOTHER CHANCE.
God is a God of grace and mercy and can extend it to anyone who is repentant, even believers. One cannot change the past or make up for mistakes but must live and learn and go on with the school of hard knocks and experience. But redressing or making amends is always called for whenever possible. God says that no matter what we've done, He will receive us if we repent (cf. Lev. 26:44)! But God wants sincere repentance and a change of heart and will to abide in Him from now on, i.e., sometimes it's impossible to correct past mistakes or to change the past. Christians are capable of falling into temptation and sin and disobeying God like anyone else, but God always brings them back into fellowship and restores them--the apostasy or fall from grace is never permanent.
The lesson learned is that God may have other plans for the divorced and doesn't want their "interests divided" as it were. If a person is divorced, they should not seek marriage but God's will and direction--God's plan for their lives through a life of obedience and submission to the Lord as a calling of being the servant of the Lord. We should be careful not to celebrate or harbor the world's viewpoint of divorce and remarriage, which is far too lenient and lax, biblically speaking. Granted, there are times when divorce is warranted, but adultery and unbelief are hardly the common ones we see today--it's usually flippant, selfish, and frivolous reasons that can be worked out and reconciled.
But we should never assume that marriage is the ideal state for everyone, but some are called to be celibate--it's a spiritual gift. Many divorces can be avoided by not marrying outside your faith and ending up jeopardizing it at the expense of trying to save the marriage. One's faith must take first priority and to be unequally yoked is forbidden by God (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14), yet people have flaws and feet of clay (weaknesses not readily apparent) and make mistakes that can even ruin their lives.
But sometimes people act in ignorance and unbelief and need forgiveness, but it's God's will for them to work it out and not give up too soon. If both parties are one in the Spirit, it can be worked out. To stay together, however, both parties must be fully committed even though unrequited love is a hard burden to bear, but this is God's will and a test of one's faith.
Meanwhile, the church is an organism of imperfect souls working out their salvation (cf. Phil. 2:12)--no perfect people need to apply! The same set of standards for believers and unbelievers in the world differs--we see the light (cf. John 1:7-9; 8:12) and should know better and are therefore accountable and more culpable (cf. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). Unbelievers are sinners who need repentance for their sins. It is a sin to divorce for unbiblical reasons (cf. Mark 10:9)!
But Christ came to seek and to save the lost (cf. Luke 19:10: Matt. 18:11) and the church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints! We're not sanitizing personalities, but salvaging souls, as bona fide members of the soul patrol! He came not to call the righteous, but sinners [unto repentance] (cf. Matt. 3:2; 9:13; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 5:32). Sin is not to be condoned, but preached (cf. Luke 13:3,5) and people are to get saved from its power over them (cf. Matt. 1:21)--to be set free in Christ (cf. John 8:36). Soli Deo Gloria!
Divorce is nearly one of two marriages now, even among Christians because they are not walking in obedience. There are umpteen reasons to get divorced but most states now offer "no-fault" divorces so that anyone can get a divorce for virtually any reason, without even stipulating it. Sometimes one party is forced into it unwillingly and is a victim of sorts of the system. To mention a "for instance," divorce can cause permanent trauma to both parties--there may be delayed or long-term effects. Divorce isn't God's design but only a concession due to the hardness of man's heart. It is wise not to go beyond that which is written as 1 Cor. 4:6 says, and to stick to biblical guidelines. The Bible is very explicit that God SAYS "I hate divorce" (cf. Mal. 2:16)--it is only appropriate in certain cases--(i.e., that it's His will).
But believers are also capable of disobeying God and of falling into sin or rebellion, even backsliding and getting divorced when they should have reconciled or worked it out. But sometimes this is rendered impossible due to circumstances. Note that the Bible never gives believers permission to divorce due to falling out of love or what is legally termed "irreconcilable differences." But we all can make mistakes, fall short, and exhibit poor judgment and we are not to judge or make life difficult for someone's errors and confessed sins committed long ago.
God doesn't write anyone off as hopeless and out of it--He can work with any penitent soul; i.e., it's never too late for a fresh start with God and a clean slate when coming clean and making our peace with God. No need to say, "I've made a big mistake AND BLEW IT and I'll be paying for it the rest of my life." We can always get on track with God's BEST plan for our lives WITH ANOTHER CHANCE.
God is a God of grace and mercy and can extend it to anyone who is repentant, even believers. One cannot change the past or make up for mistakes but must live and learn and go on with the school of hard knocks and experience. But redressing or making amends is always called for whenever possible. God says that no matter what we've done, He will receive us if we repent (cf. Lev. 26:44)! But God wants sincere repentance and a change of heart and will to abide in Him from now on, i.e., sometimes it's impossible to correct past mistakes or to change the past. Christians are capable of falling into temptation and sin and disobeying God like anyone else, but God always brings them back into fellowship and restores them--the apostasy or fall from grace is never permanent.
The lesson learned is that God may have other plans for the divorced and doesn't want their "interests divided" as it were. If a person is divorced, they should not seek marriage but God's will and direction--God's plan for their lives through a life of obedience and submission to the Lord as a calling of being the servant of the Lord. We should be careful not to celebrate or harbor the world's viewpoint of divorce and remarriage, which is far too lenient and lax, biblically speaking. Granted, there are times when divorce is warranted, but adultery and unbelief are hardly the common ones we see today--it's usually flippant, selfish, and frivolous reasons that can be worked out and reconciled.
But we should never assume that marriage is the ideal state for everyone, but some are called to be celibate--it's a spiritual gift. Many divorces can be avoided by not marrying outside your faith and ending up jeopardizing it at the expense of trying to save the marriage. One's faith must take first priority and to be unequally yoked is forbidden by God (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14), yet people have flaws and feet of clay (weaknesses not readily apparent) and make mistakes that can even ruin their lives.
But sometimes people act in ignorance and unbelief and need forgiveness, but it's God's will for them to work it out and not give up too soon. If both parties are one in the Spirit, it can be worked out. To stay together, however, both parties must be fully committed even though unrequited love is a hard burden to bear, but this is God's will and a test of one's faith.
Meanwhile, the church is an organism of imperfect souls working out their salvation (cf. Phil. 2:12)--no perfect people need to apply! The same set of standards for believers and unbelievers in the world differs--we see the light (cf. John 1:7-9; 8:12) and should know better and are therefore accountable and more culpable (cf. Rom. 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). Unbelievers are sinners who need repentance for their sins. It is a sin to divorce for unbiblical reasons (cf. Mark 10:9)!
But Christ came to seek and to save the lost (cf. Luke 19:10: Matt. 18:11) and the church is a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints! We're not sanitizing personalities, but salvaging souls, as bona fide members of the soul patrol! He came not to call the righteous, but sinners [unto repentance] (cf. Matt. 3:2; 9:13; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 5:32). Sin is not to be condoned, but preached (cf. Luke 13:3,5) and people are to get saved from its power over them (cf. Matt. 1:21)--to be set free in Christ (cf. John 8:36). Soli Deo Gloria!