Divorce?

It has also been said, whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you, whoever dismisses and repudiates and divorces his wife, except on the grounds of unfaithfulness (sexual immorality), causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32 Amplified

Divorce. The divorce rate statistics on the CDC website for 2011 was 36 percent. That is below the fifty percent that we so often hear quoted. That is encouraging. But Jesus is teaching that those divorcing are committing adultery…one of the “thou shalt not…” found in the Ten Commandments. That doesn’t stop people who have irreconcilable differences—unhappy circumstances that just can’t be endured. No “til death do us part” commitment will keep them together. Things haven’t changed from Moses’ time…or from Jesus’ time. We still just can’t seem to get it right. Commitment is important—whether it is to a spouse or the Lord.

 

Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalms 37:5

Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3. 

With the Lord’s help…can people work on their relationship…their commitment to their spouse? God gave instructions early to people to “love”…You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18. Are our spouses our “neighbors?” I think everyone is considered a “neighbor” in Jesus eyes. Love is the key. Love is the answer. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves…. Philippians 2:3. Is that love? Can it prevent divorce? What do you think? 

RSVP: Jesus is inviting people to keep their marriage pure…unadulterated. How will you respond to His invitation in your life? 

Prayer ~ Dear Lord, I need Your help to love others as myself. Let Your love shine through me…that others would see Your love, commitment and plan for all our lives.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.