The Sanctity of Marriage #2
Categories: Bible Study LessonsDIVORCE IS NOT AN OPTION FOR A FAITHFUL CHRISTIAN COUPLE
Divorce is not an option, because a husband and wife are bound to one another as long as they live. Jesus said, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 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? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4-6). Paul proclaimed, “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). He also wrote, “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 Corinthians 7:39). Divorce is not an option because the covenant and commitment aspect of marriage is for life and the Christian dare not put asunder what God hath joined together (cf. Malachi 2:10-16).
Divorce is not an option when faithful Christians take their marriage vows seriously. Moses wrote, “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth” (Numbers 30:2). Solomon declared, “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). A vow broken is a lie, and the lake of fire is the destiny of all liars (Rev. 21:8). Jepthah, judge of Israel, made a rash vow before God not realizing that it would result in the death of his own daughter (Judges 11:30-40). And he regarded his vow so seriously that he apparently took the life of his daughter rather than break his vow.
Divorce is not an option because marriage to another while one’s spouse is living can constitute adultery. Jesus said, “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 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” (Mat. 5:31-32). If one commits adultery and does not repent of it he will lose his soul (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Hebrews 13;4 and Rev. 21:8).
Divorce is not an option because the God given criteria for the kind of love a husband is to have for his wife prohibits the development of ungodly attitudes that lead to divorce. Paul said, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:28). “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).
Divorce is not an option because Christian wives are to love their husbands and be obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God not be blasphemed (Tit. 2:4-5). Paul also said, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully” (1 Tim. 5:14). Then, in Ephesians 5:22-24, he teaches, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.”
Divorce is not an option because to seek divorce is to violate the law of love. Read 1 Corinthians 13:3-8. If a Christian is to love a Christian in order to be acceptable unto God, how much greater the responsibility for a Christian husband and wife to love one another?
Divorce is not an option because the Christian husband is commanded to not only love his wife, but not be bitter against her. “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them” (Colossians 3:19). Divorce is usually the product of bitterness and hatred. Thus, to our mind should come 1 John 3:14-15, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him,” and also 1 John 4:20-21, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” Would this not also be true concerning a husband and a wife?
Divorce is not an option because a husband’s communication with God is contingent in part upon a right relationship with his wife. Paul said, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7).
Divorce is not an option because divorce seeks escape from responsibility which in turn can put one out of fellowship with God. “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5:8).
Divorce is not an option, because one married is forbidden to lust after, much less go after someone other than their spouse. Jesus warns, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28).
Divorce is not an option, because an unforgiving heart is not an option. Jesus said, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). If one’s unwillingness to forgive can stand in his way of going to heaven, how much greater the application within the marriage relationship?
Divorce is not an option, because being a faithful Christian involves setting a Christian example, and a Christian example is antagonistic toward divorce. Children greatly need a godly example in their parents as their parents in turn bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).