Gospel

The Issue of Divorce

by Roland Crim
04/30/18
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Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “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 flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” “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.” Matthew 19:3-8 NIV

The Pharisees were at it again, testing Jesus to try and trap Him. Notice that in their question, they say “any and every reason.” They were looking for a carte blanche for a decree of divorce. When Christ told them that this was not what God had intended for marriage, they asked, then, why Moses gave them the ability for a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce. Jesus informed them that it was out of their hardness to the desires of God that Moses provided the decree. See, man establishes laws, at times, which do not align with the will of God.

Causes of divorce are numerous, yet Christ says there is only one valid reason in God’s eyes for divorce. Does this mean that all who divorce will face the wrath of God? I don’t believe this to be true. But, the one who divorces, except the one reason provided by Christ, must realize that they have done what is against the will of God.

Often, when we do not have an answer to our situations, we take matters into our own hands, making decisions which don’t align with the will of God. We must try to let go to God and let Him lead us into His truths and His will. This is truly not easy for us to do, but, until we do so, we cannot totally see the power of God working in our lives.