A Personal Devotional Journal

I invite you to journey with me. Sometimes we will look at short passages of Scripture and I will give my first thoughts and impressions. Other times, I will just share my thinking about spiritual issues. Always, you are welcome to comment and add your thoughts. Together, we could learn something.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

"Divorce?" Matthew 5:31-32

Jesus says it pretty bluntly.  Among His followers there really is no room for divorce.  While He allows that in the case of sexual infidelity divorce is permissible, let's be honest -among followers of Jesus, sexual infidelity should not be happening.

God places a premium on marriage and family relationships -so much that we are considered to be the Bride of Christ.  This most intimate of human relationships is meant to be a model for our intimacy with God.  In marriage, two separate and individual people spiritually become one.  Again, this is meant to be a picture of our relationship with Jesus.  His prayer for us in John 17 is that we will be one in Him, just as He is one with the Father.  Intimacy with our spouse is a window -a small glimpse into intimacy with God.

But what if the marriage is beyond repair?  What if the differences are irreconcilable?  What if my partner leaves me and it's not my choice?  What if divorce has already happened? 

If divorce has already happened, we have no choice but to move forward.  Although what occurred was not God's design or intention, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  But at the same time, let's make sure we build any future relationships on bedrock spiritual principles.

I've often wondered how many "irreconcilable" marriage issues would become reconcilable if divorce was taken off the table.  If our only options were to forgive each other and learn to love each other, or be miserable, I suspect most people would rather forgive and learn to love than be miserable.

When people are unequally yoked in marriage, with one spouse being a Believer and one not, there is a high probability that unsolvable marriage problems will occur.  When both partners are Believers, however, divorce should not be an option.

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