One of the greatest threats to this nation is
the alarming number of divorces. Each is a monument to broken
promises and shattered lives. While Hollywood glamorizes adultery
and multiple marriages, let us remember that God hates divorce
(Malachi 2:16).
THE MARRIAGE COVENANT is a contract between three
parties: man, woman, and God. In Malachi's day, some men were
unjust to their wives. Malachi reminded them "the LORD
has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With
whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And
your wife by covenant." (Malachi 2:14).
In each wedding ceremony, the couple is reminded
their vows are made before God; He is their witness. Earthly witnesses
may, at some time, encourage the couple to divorce, but God will
not forget their vows to cleave to each other till death.
The marriage covenant has many obligations. The
husband is to love his wife "as Christ also loved the
church" and provide for his family (Ephesians 5:25; 1
Timothy 5:8). The wife should be in submission to her husband
"just as the church is subject to Christ" (Ephesians
5:24). They must give the "affection" due each
other and are "bound by law" to their spouse
for life (1 Corinthians 7:3; Romans 7:1-4). This is the law of
God, and not man.
DIVORCE FOR ANY CAUSE? The Pharisees questioned
Christ about divorce. He instructed them that God intended one
man and one woman to marry for life, and that couple is "joined"
by God, Himself (Matthew 19:3-6). They knew Moses allowed them
to give a "certificate of divorce" (Matthew 19:7),
but Jesus explained that God tolerated their immorality for a
while, but "from the beginning, it was not so"
(Matthew 19:8). Then Jesus explained adultery was the only cause
for man to "put away" his wife (Matthew 19:9),
which eliminates the "waiting game" played by some today.
This is when a couple is divorced, then waits for the other to
commit adultery. They claim this gives them the right to scripturally
remarry. Remember, Jesus said the adultery was prior to "putting
away" (Matthew 19:9).
Since God joins a couple together in marriage,
only He can release them. A couple may marry by the laws of the
land but not be joined by God. This is the case in Mark 6:17-18.
John the Immerser told Herod, "It is not lawful for you
to have your brother's wife." He had married according
to civil law, but the marriage was not "lawful."
WILL GOD FORGIVE DIVORCE? What happens when an
individual, divorced unscripturally, wants to obey the Gospel?
Will God overlook his previous marriage(s) and allow him to continue
his present marriage? We must remind him that baptism is "for
the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38), not the remission
of marriages.
The discussion should not center around baptism
but true repentance, since it precedes baptism. If one is in an
unscriptural marriage, repentance demands that one put away the
unscriptural mate. Repentance is a change of mind that brings
about a change of life. Repentance is vain unless we bring forth
"fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8).
Yes, Christ's blood will remit our sins as we are buried with
Him in baptism (Romans 6:1-4; 1 Peter 3:21), but, first, we must
repent of sins (Acts 2:38).
ARE NON-CHRISTIANS SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF CHRIST?
It has been argued that non-Christians are not subject to Christ's
law on marriage. However, when Jesus gave this command in Matthew
19, He was talking to the Pharisees. To these men Jesus said,
"Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality,
and marries another, commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9).
The word "whosoever" covers all men, Christians
and non-Christians alike.
BREAK UP OUR HAPPY HOME? After explaining the
law of God to couples living in sin, we are asked, "Would
God want us to break up our happy home?" In Ezra's day,
many men had married pagan women, ignoring God's prohibition of
marrying from any of the seven nations listed in Deuteronomy 7:1-5.
When they realized their sin and repented, Ezra said, "You
have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt
of Israel. Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your
fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples
of the land, and from the pagan wives" (Ezra 10:10-11).
Since creation, God has had one unchanging law
governing marriage: one man and one woman for life! Scriptural
divorce can be only for sexual immorality. Remarriage is for the
innocent party of a divorce. We are all subject to God's law,
it will judge all one day (John 12:48). -41 Woodland Dr., Chillicothe,
OH 45601.