Marriage and Divorce

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says this, "[Churches] all regard divorce as
something like cutting up a living body, as a kind of surgical operation. Some
of them think the operation so violent that it cannot be done at all; others
admit it as a desperate remedy in extreme cases. They are all agreed that it is
more like having both your legs cut off than it is like dissolving a business
partnership or even deserting a regiment."

With the financial, emotional, spiritual and psychological impact that flippant divorce in our culture is leaving, I believe it is time for some practical advice from someone who has our best interest in mind, namely, Jesus.

When we look at what Jesus has to say about marriage and divorce, we notice that Jesus didn't use laws to defend his position, he went all the way back to God's purpose for marriage. He quoted from Genesis. When God created the man and the woman, the two were to become one flesh. Jesus then added his statement, "What God has joined together, let man not separate."

In Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5, divorce leads to adultery. Why? Most likely because those who are divorced are likely to be remarried, but God joined to two together as one, and "What God has joined together, let man not separate." So logically speaking, another relationship would be adultery.

I believe this is what is behind Paul's account of the Lord's teaching in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 where he says, "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." This is where we see Jesus' transforming initiative to free people from the vicious cycle of adultery through divorce. That transforming initiative is, "be reconciled." However, I believe that in cases of violence and abuse, the victim(s) need to flee the relationship and seek safety and council immediately.

Where reconciliation is not possible, the question then becomes, what about those who divorce? Can they get remarried or must they remain unmarried?

My personal belief is that remarriage is possible. Divorce is not unforgivable. Jesus does say that where there has been marital unfaithfulness, the person is free to re-marry, and Paul says that if a believer is left by an unbeliever, then the believer is not bound (Romans 7:15). Because of this, it seems like there are times when God will break that union. Therefore, I do believe that where there has been repentance, forgiveness, and a right relationship with God, re-marriage is possible, and there is hope for those who have been divorced to enter into a healthy marriage relationship.

I enjoyed worshipping with you on Sunday! I hope you had an encounter with Jesus.

See you next week at the Gathering!
-Tim