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K
Boy, this is a tough topic... I was raised in churches, I believe in marriage for life, and I can understand why God intended to keep couples together. I can also understand why He considers it a sin to divorce. But, I am not perfect, and am not one to preach or judge, but I have to say that while divorce may be a sin in certain circumstances, I also believe God can forgive ALL sins, including divorce.
There are many reasons why people sometimes can no longer stay in a marriage, such as abuse, or to make a healthy environment for the children, etc. I wish I could say I haven't lived through some of that, and tell you that God expects us to stay, even when it is affecting our health etc. Sometimes, I found myself saying that sin or not, I had to get out.
I know there are people worse off than me, and maybe I could've done more... But then I had my friends and family assuring me that God is a Loving and forgiving God. Sometimes we have to make choices that others may not understand. We are sinners; we sin every day; we are human. We can get obsessive with some things to the point of trying to be politically and Biblically correct.
My point is, God has guidelines set in place to protect us, to keep us from getting hurt, etc. But to think that God can't forgive us, and will punish us forever, is in my opinion, untrue.
Does God want us to be happy and healthy, and prosperous? Of course! Does this give us license to do whatever we want, without consequences? No! It's in our best interest to follow the commandments to the best of our ability, but not to beat ourselves up when we stumble and fall. We need to seek His guidance, seek forgiveness, and move on. Billy Graham once said in a crusade I attended years ago, "You can't unscramble an egg." Well said!
Sorry for rambling on...
There are many reasons why people sometimes can no longer stay in a marriage, such as abuse, or to make a healthy environment for the children, etc. I wish I could say I haven't lived through some of that, and tell you that God expects us to stay, even when it is affecting our health etc. Sometimes, I found myself saying that sin or not, I had to get out.
I know there are people worse off than me, and maybe I could've done more... But then I had my friends and family assuring me that God is a Loving and forgiving God. Sometimes we have to make choices that others may not understand. We are sinners; we sin every day; we are human. We can get obsessive with some things to the point of trying to be politically and Biblically correct.
My point is, God has guidelines set in place to protect us, to keep us from getting hurt, etc. But to think that God can't forgive us, and will punish us forever, is in my opinion, untrue.
Does God want us to be happy and healthy, and prosperous? Of course! Does this give us license to do whatever we want, without consequences? No! It's in our best interest to follow the commandments to the best of our ability, but not to beat ourselves up when we stumble and fall. We need to seek His guidance, seek forgiveness, and move on. Billy Graham once said in a crusade I attended years ago, "You can't unscramble an egg." Well said!
Sorry for rambling on...
K
Thank you for this, and I've been following your other posts, you've been very helpful--I couldn't respond to each & every one (that would've gotten ridiculous, of course, LOL). Could you expand a little on this verse? Please keep in mind that I'm a new believer, and I know almost nothing about Scripture. Thanks so much, again.
E
Hi killerrabbitrunaway,
I just wanted to share some scripture with you that I think some folks here have been alluding to. I'd like to preface with the fact that all scripture in the Bible is God-breathed and there is no such thing as a Christian who doesn't believe in the Bible. I hope these help:
Mark 10:11-12(this is Jesus speaking): Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
I mostly want to emphasize that last one. It seemed like you were really frustrated with the posts going on in here until a couple folks came and agreed with you, and afterward you seemed quick to write off warnings from other fellow believers. I'm only going off of what I've seen here; definitely not judging what's in your heart.
In light of all this, I just want to encourage you to study the scripture yourself and really wrestle with this issue before you decide what is true. There are quite a few passages about the concept of marriage and divorce, and the above scriptures I posted were only to help you understand the severity and importance of coming to a solid conclusion about this issue. My fear is that many in your position simply accept that it's okay to re-marry because it benefits them, but there is only one true way that the Bible lines out. Granted, your position is a bit unique in that you weren't a Christian when you were first married, which is why I think it's worth studying for yourself to find what God's best for your life is. God bless.
I just wanted to share some scripture with you that I think some folks here have been alluding to. I'd like to preface with the fact that all scripture in the Bible is God-breathed and there is no such thing as a Christian who doesn't believe in the Bible. I hope these help:
Mark 10:11-12(this is Jesus speaking): Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
I mostly want to emphasize that last one. It seemed like you were really frustrated with the posts going on in here until a couple folks came and agreed with you, and afterward you seemed quick to write off warnings from other fellow believers. I'm only going off of what I've seen here; definitely not judging what's in your heart.
In light of all this, I just want to encourage you to study the scripture yourself and really wrestle with this issue before you decide what is true. There are quite a few passages about the concept of marriage and divorce, and the above scriptures I posted were only to help you understand the severity and importance of coming to a solid conclusion about this issue. My fear is that many in your position simply accept that it's okay to re-marry because it benefits them, but there is only one true way that the Bible lines out. Granted, your position is a bit unique in that you weren't a Christian when you were first married, which is why I think it's worth studying for yourself to find what God's best for your life is. God bless.
These vows are not found in Scripture. On the contrary, we are told not to "swear an oath at all" (Mt 5:34) and also: "All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Mt 5:37), because God knows the weakness of our hearts, that's why we should be very careful with our words. These vows are just a tradition. That doesn't mean that anyone should get into a marriage with other intent than to be with that person for the rest of their lives. But if one partner breaks the commitment of marriage (by adultery), how can the other partner still be held by it? It doesn't make sense.
That might be the case in some situations, but we don't have control over others (not even over ourselves sometimes). I don't think someone who has been cheated on has an obligation to forgive (in the sense of reconciling), let alone wait on that person to change, otherwise Jesus would not have mentioned that divorce is allowed in the case of adultery.
This verse has been brought up: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her." (Mark 10:11) If we read and study this properly, we see that Jesus was referring to the common practice of divorce among the Jews of those times, who could divorce their wives if they found out something "not pleasing" about them and give them a certificate of divorce, so that they could go on and become someone else's wives. That's why Jesus is so categorical when speaking about this. Anyone who married such a woman, who had been given a certificate of divorce and sent away for some guilt her husband found her, would be committing adultery. That's why it is specified:"Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Mt 19:9)
That might be the case in some situations, but we don't have control over others (not even over ourselves sometimes). I don't think someone who has been cheated on has an obligation to forgive (in the sense of reconciling), let alone wait on that person to change, otherwise Jesus would not have mentioned that divorce is allowed in the case of adultery.
This verse has been brought up: "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her." (Mark 10:11) If we read and study this properly, we see that Jesus was referring to the common practice of divorce among the Jews of those times, who could divorce their wives if they found out something "not pleasing" about them and give them a certificate of divorce, so that they could go on and become someone else's wives. That's why Jesus is so categorical when speaking about this. Anyone who married such a woman, who had been given a certificate of divorce and sent away for some guilt her husband found her, would be committing adultery. That's why it is specified:"Anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Mt 19:9)
J
@everyone....of course these are are all true however the bigger truth is being missed here. Forgivness for sin is why Jesus was beaten, whipped, pounded, drug through the streets and nailed to a cross. We are do things that I promise I can find a scripture against it as a wall against entering the kingdom of heavan.
Seek forgivness and never look back at it. God wont.
Seek forgivness and never look back at it. God wont.
J
It is referring to a sustained stance that denies the power of the spirit of God in Jesus. So long as one persists in attributing Jesus work to any other power than the power of God, one is guilty of blasphemies against the Holy spirit. None of the gospels says that once this stance is taken, it can never be altered.
The trick is remember that Peter basically did this and was restored. The unbelievable power and forgivness of God is difficult for us to understand. While Christ was on the cross he asked the father to forgive those who were enjoying the crulty they were causing him. Why would he give us so many rebukes on things and stand ready to forgiving? Teaching us what we should avoid knowing all along we are going to walk right into it. So hard to understand.
That is not to say that we can act thinking we will be forgiven later. We must strive to walk the narrow way. Staying away from things we know are wrong. Asking him for help to do so. Letting him be in control. When we do stray from the path....it is not a one strike your out deal. He stands ready to love you at all times.
The trick is remember that Peter basically did this and was restored. The unbelievable power and forgivness of God is difficult for us to understand. While Christ was on the cross he asked the father to forgive those who were enjoying the crulty they were causing him. Why would he give us so many rebukes on things and stand ready to forgiving? Teaching us what we should avoid knowing all along we are going to walk right into it. So hard to understand.
That is not to say that we can act thinking we will be forgiven later. We must strive to walk the narrow way. Staying away from things we know are wrong. Asking him for help to do so. Letting him be in control. When we do stray from the path....it is not a one strike your out deal. He stands ready to love you at all times.
someone please explain if I am a horrible sinner because my ex walked out, and I was married again,then why has God done such miraculous things to restore my marriage and bring my wife and I back together?
He has been working on both myself and my wife for over a month to heal hurt and other things that have somehow gotten into our marriage. If we were in an adulterous relationship being married for the last 12 years, do you think God would have moved us so many times?
He has been working on both myself and my wife for over a month to heal hurt and other things that have somehow gotten into our marriage. If we were in an adulterous relationship being married for the last 12 years, do you think God would have moved us so many times?
K
Thank you for treating me with respect & kindness, really. I'll never forget it. I'm closing this account (if an admin would get back to me), and that's only after a handful of days on here. That should tell you something. Don't worry, God's not done with me, yet. I refuse to back down or be bullied right out of this faith. Jesus wasn't a bully (still isn't), and neither is our Heavenly Father. He also gave me a heart of courage, so there you go. I just wanted you to know a newbie really appreciated your efforts.
I refuse to back down or be bullied right out of this faith. Jesus wasn't a bully (still isn't), and neither is our Heavenly Father. He also gave me a heart of courage, so there you go. I just wanted you to know a newbie really appreciated your efforts.I think there was a misunderstanding on your side, because most posters I believe refferred to divorce between Christians. As far as you're concerned, from what I understand, you're a new creation in Christ, so old things are passed away for you and everything is made new. See how the Lord leads you. God bless you and don't think little of yourself. God doesn't.
K
I think there was a misunderstanding on your side, because most posters I believe refferred to divorce between Christians. As far as you're concerned, from what I understand, you're a new creation in Christ, so old things are passed away for you and everything is made new. See how the Lord leads you. God bless you and don't think little of yourself. God doesn't.
K
I already did wrestle with this (more like: beat myself up, about a million times--don't know, lost count--no one had to help me do that part, I'm already great at it)...I begged for God & Jesus to forgive me, in tandem, and They did. I already did find what's best in my life: letting God handle it, and not allowing anyone to get in the way of His perfect plan for me (not me, or anyone else). Thank you for your concern & efforts. God bless all the least of us, including me.
i could not answer your post poll. way to manny what IF possible with the avelible answers.All I know that we have the grace and the Love from our heavenly father, to forgive me when I mess up. to be stuck in a verse taken out of contex. If we are to fallow the law to a T then Amricans are in deep trouble, but then againg is all of humanity for we all mess up here and there. Will he be faithful and just to forgive us, when we trully repent for our actions, and for breaking his laws and comandments.