marriage ,Remarriage,Divorce, Jesus and the Church

Marriage - Divorce - Remarriage

Correction made to this article Victor.s “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? [4] And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, [5] And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? [6] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder”’ (Matthew 19:3-6) What we see from these above Scriptures is that in the beginning God made Adam and Eve – two became one flesh, and the legal instrument and institution of marriage was made universal and was applicable to ALL mankind - both saint and sinner alike. Jesus declared and commanded in Matt. 5:31 WHOSOEVER... As such, in God’s mind he did not intend divorce. If Adam or Eve would have decided to ‘divorce’ then whom would they have married. In addition, while Adam was created from the dust of the earth, Eve was created from the bone and flesh of Adam. Hence, “And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” (Genesis 2:23) Moreover, what God personally thinks about divorce we find in the following Scriptures, “Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. [15] And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. [16] For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” (Malachi 2:14-16) So what did Jesus have to say on the subject of Divorce and Remarriage? "It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: [32] But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." (Matthew 5:31-32) Thus, according to Jesus the only legitimate and viable Scriptural ground for divorce is for the cause of 'Fornication', which we will define a little later in this article. However, what we see from the above Scriptures is something unique. Hence, if a man/woman divorces their spouse for reasons other than fornication he/she causes them to commit adultery. How could this cause the innocent in a divorce to commit adultery? Look at what Apostle Paul says regarding this subject. "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband." (Romans 7:2) Therefore, if the woman/man marries or lives (shacks up) with another, they commit adultery, because they were not divorced (loosed) from their spouse on legitimate Scriptural grounds.  .  So do not make the foolish mistake of thinking that just because the lustful sin you may want to commit is not listed by name in the Word of God, that you have God's blessing. Instead, you must search the Scriptures to see if your intended fleshly lust is proscribed by God under a generalized heading for sin. Meanwhile, what else did Apostle Paul have to say about divorce and remarriage? Actually what we find in Scripture is that Apostle Paul was extremely conservative on this subject and complied exactly in accordance with God's Law. As such, "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? [2] For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. [3] So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man." (Romans 7:1-3) The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." (1 Cor. 7:39) Apostle Paul continues by stating, "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:4) So what is Paul saying? He was/is simply making the analogy to the Jews/world that they were once married to the Mosaic Law which had/has become dead due to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ – His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins and brought the Mosaic Law to a close. Paul is only making the point that with the death of one of the marriage partners, in this case the Mosaic Law, the other partner is now free to marry Christ. However, do not be confused into thinking that God's moral laws are dead. Murder under the Mosaic Law is still murder under the New Covenant of Christ. Theft under the Mosaic Law is still theft under the New Covenant. Fornication under the Mosaic Law is still fornication under the New Covenant. Adultery under the Mosaic Law is still adultery under the New Covenant. This is why Apostle Paul cautioned whenever he declared, "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, [freedom to sin] but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Galatians 5:13-14) "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Romans 13:9) You have been called to total freedom from all the law, but do not let this cause you to think that you have no responsibility or obligation to live righteously. The New Covenant demands righteousness of all people and the love of your neighbors as yourself. Moreover, Paul continues by revealing that if you are married, stay married (!!!), and do not go about looking for an occasion to get a divorce. In reciprocity, if you are legitimately divorced do not go about looking for a wife/husband. "Art thou bound unto a wife [husband]? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife [husband]? seek not a wife [husband]. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you." (1 Cor. 7:27-28) "For I would that all men were even as I myself [unmarried]. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. [8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (1 Cor. 7:7-8) But why would Apostle Paul advocate remaining unmarried? "But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: [33] But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. [34] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction." (1 Cor. 7:32-35) So what happens if an innocent martial partner is left, abandoned, or put away (divorced) due to no fault of their own? What we see from the above and below Scriptures is while Paul emphatically advocated the bonds of marriage many think he left open, depending on your interpretation, the door for the possibility of legitimate Scriptural divorce and remarriage. "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace." (1 Cor. 7:15) However, Jesus declared, that if a spouse puts away (divorces) their spouse for reasons other than fornication they cause them to commit adultery, because they were not legitimately loosed (free from the law) to remarry. Having said this, there appears then to be a paradox between Paul's statement (1 Cor. 7:15) and that of Jesus (Mat. 5:32). "But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace." (1 Cor. 7:15) But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery."  ( Deu 22: 13-30), (Matthew 5:32) How could this be? Many eager detractors today have wrongly twisted Paul's statement to imply that he felt that if an innocent individual was/is left (divorced) through no fault of their own they were/are free from the law (bonds of marriage), thus advocating the possibility of remarriage to another on legitimate Scriptural terms. Paul made no such declaration. Point in fact is that what Paul implied was that a brother or a sister was not subservient to the sinful request and demands of the departing unbeliever. Christians were not to compromise their faith in Christ in order to gain acceptance of an unbelieving spouse. They were not to try and violently restrain a departing spouse just to remain married. Paul clearly stated..."but God hath called us to peace." Look at the transliterated Greek text from a couple of other well published Bibles that clearly show Paul's original intent for 1 Corinthians 7:15. "But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God's pleasure that we may be at peace with one another." (Bible in Basic English – BBE) "If, however, the unbeliever is determined to leave, let him or her do so. Under such circumstances the Christian man or woman is no slave; God has called us to live lives of peace." (Weymouth's Bible –WEY) As plainly indicated by these Scriptures, Paul in no way suggest the abandoned (deserted) spouse be given the right to usurp God's law and remarry another. They were/are to remain single or to be reconciled to their former spouse. This so-called 'Pauline Privilege' for divorce and remarriage on the grounds of abandonment (desertion) is born out of the pagan practices of Catholicism. Therefore, the summary of this argument is, if the alleged Pauline Privilege was to be an acceptable instrument of Divorce/Remarriage, it only stands to reason that Jesus would have declared, 'If any man puts away his wife, except for the causes of fornication and desertion, he causeth her to commit adultery...' In addition, the concept of fornication by 'idolatry' and the perpetual oneness of marriage are plainly illustrated throughout the history of Israel in their relationship to Jehovah. When Israel has attempted to put away their God Jehovah, and marry other pagan idolatrous gods, the result is always the same. God declares them to be an idolatrous, adulterous harlot which results in their being profoundly punished. Therefore, how can Israel ever be legitimately and righteously married to another god other than their one and only true God Jehovah, who shall never die nor commit fornication against them? Remember YOU and not God are the one who makes the decision on whom you will marry. So take it very seriously. When we look at the actual Greek word for 'Bondage' we find the following. douloo, Greek 1402, Strong’s douloo, doo-lo'-o; from Greek 1401 (doulos); to enslave (literal or figurative) :- bring into (be under) bondage, × given, become (make) servant. Nowhere in this definition does it ever imply the dissolving of the martial bond or 'God's Universal Law of Marriage and Divorce'. It simply means the individual abandoned is not a slave to keep the marriage together and continue the support of the departing unbeliever at any cost. Moreover, the Greek word 'douloo' is used in the Perfect Tense: As such the verb means that the Christian is not now, nor has he ever been in the type of bondage indicated by the word bondage. This could not mean marriage. Meanwhile, Paul returns to the subject by cautioning illegitimate divorces by stating, "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: [11] But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." (1 Cor. 7:10-11) (visa-versa husband depart from wife) So what was/is Paul saying? Simply, if an individual departs or divorces their spouse for unscriptural reasons they are never again to marry, otherwise it will result in adultery. If they are ever again to have a marriage partner they must return to their former spouse. Therefore this begs the question, can an individual say that they left (divorced) their martial partner for illegitimate unscriptural reasons while they were in sin, and since that sinful past they have sought the Lord's forgiveness and want to remarry another individual other than their former spouse? After all does not Scripture say that when one comes to Christ, all is made new? "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17) The blunt answer is emphatically NO!!! Why? Let us look once again at what Jesus and Apostle Paul had/has to say on this matter. "But I say unto you, That whosoever [Christian or Sinner alike] shall put away his wife, saving [Except] for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." (Matthew 5:31) Jesus used this term because he understood the Jewish order of betrothal which is not like how couples in the gentile nations get engaged today. To understand it we have to look at Mary and Joseph in Matt 1 18-25.Joseph was betrothed to Mary when he found out that she was pregnant  with child.The Jewish  laws allowed Joseph to put away Mary because of harlotry. The law concerning vows was binding and the covenant to get married to a man or a woman couldn't be broken saving for fornication. Once wiliness from both parties had been expressed, terms,  money, home,  place, date and time had been agreed by parents and man and woman seeking marriage, Contract accepted, there could be no turning back. Being unfaithfully,having sexual relationship with a third person before the marriage or before the marriage had been properly consummated, could dis annual the covenant, this is what Jesus meant In Matthew 5:31 Deu 22:13-30, Cor 7. In Deuteronomy 22  a damsel covenanted to a man to marry could be stone to death if she did not cry out for help while being found carnally with another man in the city their is the strength of the marriage vow in Israel even before the marry ceremony had taken place. Note the non married man and woman found in the field having carnal relationship were not stoned but they had to marry. No living together has boy friend and girl friend, or cohabiting  was allowed in Israel. Marriage is honorable in all (sinner or saved) and the bed undefiled but whore mongers and adulterers God will judge.   In early biblical times being a virgin was a honor  to be cherished, protected, held in high esteem not like in the gentile world where it's mocked and scorned upon, something to be ashamed of. To be pure, untouched carnally by a man was looked on as the right thing, the virtuous thing and the chaste thing to do. Liken on to the church keeping it self pure, with out spot, blemish or any such thing  waiting for the glorious and blessed appearing of the  groom Christ.  Having several partners before marriage causes causes children to have to grow up out side of a stable family unit,hurt, pain, jealousy, envy,  murders, unwanted children, sexual diseases and wrecked life's.   [11] But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." (1 Cor. 7:10-11) What must be understood about sin is that while the act of the sin within itself can be forgiven by God, the natural consequences of that sin will still remain. For example, if a partner in a marriage commits adultery and an illegitimate child results, the guilty person can seek God's forgiveness. However, the natural consequences of that sin, the illegitimate child, still remains. Again, if someone commits murder, humbly seeks and finds God's forgiveness, the innocent victim is still none the less dead. As such, if it was a heinous premeditated murder God has ordained government to take the life of the perpetrator of such a crime against humanity – murder/sin, even though they have received forgiveness. Therefore, the natural consequences of their sin remain. Please note that if it is adultery before we seek God's forgiveness it is equally adultery after we have received God's forgiveness, if we continue in the same sinful practice. In another example, if we are a thief who has secured God's forgiveness for a sin of stealing, we are still a thief if we continue the same stealing activity. Hence, 'God Forgives Us Of Our Sins but Not In Our Sins.' If fornication does not carry a natural life long consequence then the marriage vowel of 'until death do we part' becomes absolutely meaningless. This would ultimately result in the destruction of the universal institution of marriage as is being evidenced today where now one out of every two marriages end in a divorce. With this in mind, what do we see? Get an unscriptural divorce, remarry and go to Church and get forgiveness. Don't like that partner, or God has allegedly told them that the partner they now have is really not the right one He would like for them to have... No problem - just get another unscriptural divorce and simply find a new Church, and you got it, get forgiveness for their sin, remarry and start all over again, infinitely. Thus, in today's society there seems to be no such thing as the sin of adultery. This should seem to get the attention of those who hold to the permissive 'any reason is acceptable' for divorce/remarriage conundrum. They easily accept a divorced individual from a typical heterosexual relationship, applying forgiveness and remarriage both readily and amicably. However, if the divorce is subsequent to one of the partners being engaged in the habitual repugnant sins of pedophilia (sex with children), necrophilia (sex with dead corpses) or bestiality (sex with animals), this causes an immediate pause. Nonetheless, according to God sin is sin – big or little. So it only stands to reason that anyone, with pleasing God in mind would not advocate or condone a marriage to a fornicator with this type of sin as a perquisite, even though they had been forgiven – the natural consequences remain. Sad to say one of the most proliferate sins in America today is 'adultery'. Why? The Church has become complacently silent on this particular subject because of fear and financial gain. We need to return to the days when men and women of God gladly bore the Cross of Truth with fire and courage, and stood before the world and boldly proclaimed, 'Thus Saith the Lord'. In his own words Apostle Paul declared, "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." (Galatians 6:17) "Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness...[31] The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. [32] In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: [33] And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands." (2 Cor.11:24-27, 31-33) In closing, I encourage you to search the Scriptures for the TRUTH, for in them you will either gain Heaven or enter THE Eternal Hell. This is entirely an exercise of your own FREE WILL.