Divorce

Malachi 2:16 "For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel. "It is as cruel as putting on a victim's bloodstained coat," says the LORD Almighty. "So guard yourself; always remain loyal to your wife."

I was speaking to a person who was 65 years old. They had made a decision to divorce their spouse. Their spouse had failed to provide what they believed to be a "fair" share of financial support in the marriage. Their spouse had a tendency to not to be as successful in business as one would hope. They lived in an upper middle class area and had a comfortable lifestyle. They were a long way from poverty.

The issue however had to do with the spouse not being trusted to have done their best and the feeling they had exploited the other person. There were of course deeper issues and wounds. But there was no sexual sin here. There was no physical abuse here. There was no abandonment here. Both people claimed to be followers of Jesus. Yet, divorce was being chosen because there was a promise of a happier life for the next, let us say twenty years, perhaps less.

This divorce that was being chosen was a sin. It was a high handed sin against God. It is not an uncommon sin among Christians today. The choice that was made reflected atheism more than Christianity. If as an atheist I know I have only twenty years to live before I become food for the worms of the earth then striving to find the most happiness I can before I become nothing could be considered a logical choice of action. But if as a Christian I belive that I will have to answer for every thing I have done in the body and at the very least suffer eternal lost of reward for choosing a sinful and unjustified divorce then it is the most insane action in all the world. Not to add of course that if I think Christ died for this sin that I have by doing it added to his pain.

Yet, today many Christians would respond with a "so what" attitude towards these things. This action may not glorify God, this action may be met with a frown from Jesus on the day of judgment, but I still get heaven and that is all that matters. I can have a happier twenty some years and heaven as well. The sin of divorce will allow me to have the best of this life and I can be satisfied with a little bit less rewards in heaven. To tell you the truth, rewards in heaven do not seem as real as pain on the earth right now. Jesus paid it all so I am going to use that to gain happiness now.

May we sin that grace may abound! God forbid we ever think like this. It should be noted that the only sins that are forgiven are those we have repented of and confessed. Divorces chosen so carefully and in deliberate violation of the biblical teachings are rarely repented of by the spouses. Repentance by the way would mean that there should be a striving to return to the marriage and reconcile. Does one who have true faith decide to commit the sin of divorce? Does the presence of the new birth make itself known by having a person openly decide to rebel against the teachngs of Jesus Christ? Is it possible that such a divorce, chosen in open rebellion against Christ, is a reflection of a heart of unbelief more than a heart of faith? If so, then it is a warning that the person needs to not just repent about the divorce but to repent so that they may be saved. Sometimes we know more about what faith is in our hearts by our actions than we know from our words and feelings. The fruit of faith is a life of love. Unlawful divorce is not an act of love. It does not reflect love for God or for others. It is a selfish act of rebellion.

As the people of God we need to renew our dedication to the teaching of scripture about divorce. Our society has made divorce acceptable, easy, and shame free. Our society sees marriage as a liscence to have relational fun and create families. But they see such unions as not life long. They seet marriage as a purely human invention that can be molded to fit the needs of those who want to be in it. God does not get to set the rules for marriage. We can simply do what we want with it. This self centered rule over marriage is a rebellion against God, His Christ, and His kingdom. We need to seek to understand tha practice the sacred nature of marriage once again and live within the will of God concerning divorce.

Dear Lord,

Help us to see your will concerning marriage. Help us to see that you hate divorce. Help us to hate it as well. Help us in our struggles within our marriages. Give us the courage to not give up on them.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen