Permanence

So, I have  been told that I believe in marriage....."until death do us part."   Hmm, yes, I do!  I wouldn't believe so strongly, if I didn't.  Does that mean I don't love those around me who have walked a different path?  Absolutely not, I am passionate, but I am not walking around in judgement. We are responsible for what we know. Some people don't even know this stuff.  Others have no conviction about it whatsoever....I am only responsible for what God tells me to do, in sharing--thus, I share.  You are not obligated to believe what I say--search the Word for yourselves. 


What I Believe God Has To Say About Marriage -

Many people say that they know what God's Word says concerning marriage BUT their circumstances are such and such, therefore they can do such and such, all contrary to the Word of God. These comments have me wondering if these individuals really do understand what God's Word has to say about marriage, divorce and remarriage.

Given this understanding of God's laws, what does He have to say about the covenant of marriage?

"The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" Genesis 2:18

As God created man for fellowship with Him, He also created woman so that the man would have a suitable companion.

"But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called "woman" for she is taken out of man.'" Genesis 2:20-23

God instituted marriage as a gift to Adam and Eve. They were made perfect for each other. Marriage was not a creation of man or any culture, but was the creation of God to bless His children. God takes marriage very seriously. The next verse states God's view concerning His wishes regarding the marriage covenant He created...

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

In the Old Testament divorce, remarriage and multiple marriages had crept into the Jewish culture. Jesus addressed this issue by saying...

"'Haven't you read,' he replied, 'that at the beginning the Creator "made them male and female,"' and said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?" So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.'" Matthew 19:4-6

The individuals questioning Jesus where trying to trick Him into speaking against Jewish laws and customs, so they pressured Him about Moses allowing divorce...

"'Why then,' they asked, 'did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?'

"Jesus replied, 'Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife...and marries another woman commits adultery.'" Matthew 19:7-9

In just a few sentences, Jesus reinforces God's original plan for marriage...one man, one woman, for life.
So if marriage is a permanent covenant according to God's Word, what does God have to say about divorce?

"'I hate divorce,' says the Lord God" Malachi 2:16

"By law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man." Romans 7:2-3

So God hates divorce, only death breaks the marriage covenant and remarriage while a spouse is still alive is adultery.

In spite of clear doctrine to the contrary, divorce still happens. What does God's Word have to say concerning those that are divorced?

"To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife." I Corinthians 7:10-11

God gives the divorced two choices: reconcile or remain single. The only exception allowing a person to remarry is if their spouse has died.

In closing, many say that the Lord has told them to give up on their marriages, to stop standing and often to remarry. The test to see if what you are hearing is in fact from God, check it out against His Word. God cannot contradict Himself. If what you are hearing disagrees with the commands in God's Word, it is NOT from God.

I believe Satan wants nothing better than for you to give up on your marriage. Why does he wish this? Because he knows by breaking up your family the battle is not over if, you continue to stand for your marriage. He knows that in the end, he will lose when you are standing in agreement with God for the healing of your marriage. Anything he can do to sway you away from Biblical teaching will help ensure his victory. The only way Satan can get at God is through the disobedience of His children.

Remember, that you are only defeated when you give up. Continue to fight and pray for your home. Do not be deceived by the evil one into giving up. Do not believe in the falsehood that God has someone better for you. God does have someone better for you; your one-flesh mate when He cleans them up and brings them home. I am standing in agreement with you, praying for you and your spouse. Many blessings are in store for you when you are obedient to your marriage vows and God's commands in His Word.

This was a tough one to deal with, as I have many friends and family who do NOT believe the same as I do.  I can only pray they hear my heart. Judging a person is NOT my job, thus I do not do it.  Reading things like this are what helped me NOT to give up, when it felt much easier to throw in the towel. Today makes 20 years from my own parents' divorce, so I am not insensitive to the pain.  It took a lot to post this today. My mother taught me that God hated divorce...she did a good job!