God’s plan for marriage has not changed since Jesus lived and preached on the earth. The liberal society in which we live and the atheistic philosophy that abounds everywhere is what has changed the views of men and women on many moral issues.
God has not changed His view about people lying and stealing. It is just as sinful and wrong now as it was hundreds of years ago. God has not changed His view about fornication. It is just as sinful today as it was many years ago. God has not changed His feelings about homosexuality and lesbianism. It is still just as sinful and wrong as it always was. God has not changed his view about abortion. It is still cold-blooded murder in His holy eyes. And God has not changed His view about marriage, divorce, and remarriage. It is just as it was when Jesus lived.
The Bible does not sanction those who divorce their companion for drunkenness. The Bible does not support those who leave their mate and get a divorce because of laziness. The Bible does not authorize one to divorce his wife and/or husband because they no longer love them. To the contrary, the Bible commands husbands and wives to love each other (Eph. 5:22-23).
The only reason for divorce is sexual unfaithfulness (Matt. 19:9). Please keep in mind that Jesus Christ spoke these words and no man should try to put them asunder. It makes little difference about successful stories of divorced and remarried people. It makes no difference in the eyes of God of how a divorced and remarried couple love each other. God does not approve of divorce except it be for fornication (Matt. 19:9).
Most churches have their share of divorced couples. There can be no doubt but that some have a Bible reason for remarriage, but many do not have the Bible reason. It is impossible for any man or woman to be saved while living in adultery (I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21). The preacher may sanction this unscriptural activity and dodge the issue. The church leaders may wink at it and pay it no attention. The church members may hold in high esteem those who are living in adultery, but this is no sign that God does. God does not acknowledge the marriage of people living in adultery. The laws of the land may, but God does not.
Please notice God’s law on marriage. “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. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress, though she be married to another man” (Rom. 7:2-3). While people may disagree with what the Bible says here and elsewhere about divorce and remarriage, it does not set aside the Word of God on the matter and make it of no effect (Matt. 15:1-6). God’s Word still stands and will until time shall be no more (Matt. 24:35). It will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).
Marriage is for a lifetime in the eyes of God (Matt. 19:1-9). He does not approve of divorce and one cannot divorce without sin being involved. If two married people divorce and remarry, someone is living in sin. It could be that both are living in sin. No matter how we feel or what we think, God’s law is still right on this subject. All will acknowledge this in the day of judgment.
Malcolm L. Hill January 12, 1934- June 26, 2012
