And I say unto you, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away
doth also commit adultery.
MATTHEW 19:9
JESUS SPEAKING
Listen, friends: This is what Jesus is saying in the verse above; If you leave your wife, unless there is adultery, and then marry another woman, you yourself are committing adultery. Only if there is adultery can you divorce your wife.
THANKS TO MILLENNIAL'S THE DIVORCE RATE IS DOWN
1. According to the CDC, the divorce rate in the United States is
3.2 per 1000 people
2. The rate decreased by 18% between 2008 and 2016
While that may sound like good news, the marriage rate is also declining, indicating both marriage and divorce are out of reach for certain segments of the population.
BAD AND GOOD NEWS
It is more commonly said that half of all marriages end in divorce. Sadly, the attitudes about marriage -vs- cohabitation, paints the divorce number as a much rosier picture than the grim conventional wisdom.
"Contrary to popular belief, Christians and members of other religions have lower divorce rates, about 42%, than do the religiously unaffiliated, about 50%." For Evangelicals, regular attendance at religious services makes a big impact on the divorce rate: "60% of the never-attendees had been divorced or were separated compared to only 30% of the weekly attendees."
MARRIAGE IS "UNTIL DEATH DO WE PART"
While regular church attendance does seem to make a difference in the health and preservation of marriage, divorce rates are still too high in the church. "The percentage of divorced or separated Evangelicals almost doubled from the 1970's to the 2000's (from 25% to 46%)."
Friends, marriage means a "Lifelong Commitment!" Scripture consistently communicates that marriage lasts until one partner dies. Jesus described the relationship between husband and wife this way: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. MATTHEW 19:6
MARRIAGE IS FAMILY
Jesus reminds us that in the beginning God joined man and woman together. "One flesh" often refers to one's relatives or kin, so the husband and wife becoming 'one flesh' should be a family unit no less permanent than our families of origin should be."
The Biblical ideal is marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman, both of whom are Spirit-filled disciples of Christ Jesus. The "marriage illustrates the principle of two becoming one, (a principle) which is also present in the spiritual union between Christ and the church.
GODLY COVENANT
Marriage, was created by God as a 'one flesh' union, is meant to be a sign of God's unbreakable covenant with us. This is an important symbol throughout the Scriptures: God is compared to a husband and God's people to a wife.
When, by the "Grace of God", we're able to keep a marriage together, we get to be symbols--imperfect symbols, but still symbols of God's faithfulness to His people. Marriages are supposed to last because they are symbols of God's lasting love for us.
WHEN THE BIBLE ALLOWS FOR DIVORCE
1. Jesus proceeded to state one exception in which case divorce is permissible: sexual immorality on the part of one's spouse, that is, in context, adultery; And I say unto you, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away doth also commit adultery. MATTHEW 19:9
In such a case, however, divorce is not mandated or even encouraged--forgiveness and reconciliation should be extended and pursued if at all possible. But divorce is allowed, especially in cases where the sinning spouse persists in an adulterous relationship.
2. Paul adds a second exception, in instances where an unbelieving spouse abandons the marriage. This would typically be the case when one of the two partners is converted to Christ at some point after marrying and the other person refuses to continue in the marriage.
Take a look at: (1 CORINTHIANS 7), especially the following Scripture verse: But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. (1 CORINTHIANS 7:15)
UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
About Domestic Abuse, the beating of a spouse or children? Violence in the home because of alcohol or drugs? Emotional, mental or physical abuse are all reasons to look at.
If a husband or wife is beating their spouse, that would certainly seem to violate Christ's plan for 'one flesh' where love dominates the relationship. If a spouse is beating his or her partner, who is supposed to be one flesh with them, they surely are not treating their spouse with love and as one flesh.
DISPUTES ARE NOT UNUSUAL
Now, I don't want to let an argument be an excuse for people to separate or divorce. Everyone has disagreements and controversies including husbands and wives.
Even the patriarchs in the Scriptures had disagreements, for example, Jacob and Rachel: And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die." And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, "Am I God's stead, who hath withheld the fruit of the womb?" (GENESIS 30:1–2)
USING COMMON SENSE
There does come a point where discretion is the better part of valor (It is better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it). Some people are too ready to grasp for that point; others wait much longer than they should.
The Bible displays a pervasive concern for justice and is concerned with protecting the vulnerable, it also teaches that believers can glorify God by bearing up under unjust suffering. This calls for wisdom, common sense and balance: Certainly we should do everything we can to protect victims of abuse while at the same time respecting the marriage bond and not dissolving it lightly.
REFLECTIONS:
There is a need for prayer in ALL marriages. If you need prayer or need help finding a prayer group... please contact me. I will be happy to lead you to a prayer group or to add you to my prayers, because these are times to"NOT GO IT ALONE!" You don't have to give your full name if your uncomfortable, just send me your first name.
BELOW:
Somebody's Praying For Me - Don Moen
doth also commit adultery.
MATTHEW 19:9
JESUS SPEAKING
Listen, friends: This is what Jesus is saying in the verse above; If you leave your wife, unless there is adultery, and then marry another woman, you yourself are committing adultery. Only if there is adultery can you divorce your wife.
THANKS TO MILLENNIAL'S THE DIVORCE RATE IS DOWN
1. According to the CDC, the divorce rate in the United States is
3.2 per 1000 people
2. The rate decreased by 18% between 2008 and 2016
While that may sound like good news, the marriage rate is also declining, indicating both marriage and divorce are out of reach for certain segments of the population.
BAD AND GOOD NEWS
It is more commonly said that half of all marriages end in divorce. Sadly, the attitudes about marriage -vs- cohabitation, paints the divorce number as a much rosier picture than the grim conventional wisdom.
"Contrary to popular belief, Christians and members of other religions have lower divorce rates, about 42%, than do the religiously unaffiliated, about 50%." For Evangelicals, regular attendance at religious services makes a big impact on the divorce rate: "60% of the never-attendees had been divorced or were separated compared to only 30% of the weekly attendees."
MARRIAGE IS "UNTIL DEATH DO WE PART"
While regular church attendance does seem to make a difference in the health and preservation of marriage, divorce rates are still too high in the church. "The percentage of divorced or separated Evangelicals almost doubled from the 1970's to the 2000's (from 25% to 46%)."
Friends, marriage means a "Lifelong Commitment!" Scripture consistently communicates that marriage lasts until one partner dies. Jesus described the relationship between husband and wife this way: Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. MATTHEW 19:6
MARRIAGE IS FAMILY
Jesus reminds us that in the beginning God joined man and woman together. "One flesh" often refers to one's relatives or kin, so the husband and wife becoming 'one flesh' should be a family unit no less permanent than our families of origin should be."
The Biblical ideal is marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman, both of whom are Spirit-filled disciples of Christ Jesus. The "marriage illustrates the principle of two becoming one, (a principle) which is also present in the spiritual union between Christ and the church.
GODLY COVENANT
Marriage, was created by God as a 'one flesh' union, is meant to be a sign of God's unbreakable covenant with us. This is an important symbol throughout the Scriptures: God is compared to a husband and God's people to a wife.
When, by the "Grace of God", we're able to keep a marriage together, we get to be symbols--imperfect symbols, but still symbols of God's faithfulness to His people. Marriages are supposed to last because they are symbols of God's lasting love for us.
WHEN THE BIBLE ALLOWS FOR DIVORCE
1. Jesus proceeded to state one exception in which case divorce is permissible: sexual immorality on the part of one's spouse, that is, in context, adultery; And I say unto you, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away doth also commit adultery. MATTHEW 19:9
In such a case, however, divorce is not mandated or even encouraged--forgiveness and reconciliation should be extended and pursued if at all possible. But divorce is allowed, especially in cases where the sinning spouse persists in an adulterous relationship.
2. Paul adds a second exception, in instances where an unbelieving spouse abandons the marriage. This would typically be the case when one of the two partners is converted to Christ at some point after marrying and the other person refuses to continue in the marriage.
Take a look at: (1 CORINTHIANS 7), especially the following Scripture verse: But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. (1 CORINTHIANS 7:15)
UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES
About Domestic Abuse, the beating of a spouse or children? Violence in the home because of alcohol or drugs? Emotional, mental or physical abuse are all reasons to look at.
If a husband or wife is beating their spouse, that would certainly seem to violate Christ's plan for 'one flesh' where love dominates the relationship. If a spouse is beating his or her partner, who is supposed to be one flesh with them, they surely are not treating their spouse with love and as one flesh.
DISPUTES ARE NOT UNUSUAL
Now, I don't want to let an argument be an excuse for people to separate or divorce. Everyone has disagreements and controversies including husbands and wives.
Even the patriarchs in the Scriptures had disagreements, for example, Jacob and Rachel: And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, "Give me children, or else I die." And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, "Am I God's stead, who hath withheld the fruit of the womb?" (GENESIS 30:1–2)
USING COMMON SENSE
There does come a point where discretion is the better part of valor (It is better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it). Some people are too ready to grasp for that point; others wait much longer than they should.
The Bible displays a pervasive concern for justice and is concerned with protecting the vulnerable, it also teaches that believers can glorify God by bearing up under unjust suffering. This calls for wisdom, common sense and balance: Certainly we should do everything we can to protect victims of abuse while at the same time respecting the marriage bond and not dissolving it lightly.
REFLECTIONS:
There is a need for prayer in ALL marriages. If you need prayer or need help finding a prayer group... please contact me. I will be happy to lead you to a prayer group or to add you to my prayers, because these are times to"NOT GO IT ALONE!" You don't have to give your full name if your uncomfortable, just send me your first name.
BELOW:
Somebody's Praying For Me - Don Moen
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