Matthew 5:31-32

Divorce ~

In Jesus' day, many rabbis interpreted the Mosaic laws of divorce very loosely, allowing a man to divorce his wife for something as simple as burning his toast.  This removes the sanctity & unity of marriage & makes it more of an employment contract - "As long as you please me, I'll keep you around."

The attitude toward divorce today has also become increasingly permissive.  Marriage was designed by God to be an intimate partnership in which the other person's needs are more important than your own.  Marriage provides love, support, and comfort.  Yet, it also teaches us submission & sacrifice.  There is a reason our vows state, "to have and hold from this day on, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do us part.”  Notice we don't say, "As long as you please me I'll keep you around."  Rather we say in good times & bad, I'll be here for you.

Marriage is hard work, but it is the second most rewarding relationship you will ever have.  (Can you guess what the first relationship is?)  Jesus tells us not to disrespect marriage.  Divorce for frivolous reasons will not be accepted by God & both parties will be seen as adulators in their next relationships. 

This doesn't mean you must remain married to a person that has broken the marital vows.  Divorce is permissible for marital unfaithfulness.  This implies a sexually immoral life-style, not a confessed and repented mistake.  It is always better to try to work things out.

Finally, please don't read this & think that an abusive relationship is OK in God's eyes.  Ephesians 5 tells us that marriage is about sacrifice & submission.  No where in Scripture is there justification to beat or berate a spouse; and a battered man or woman has a right to dissolve a marriage that causes undue distress or harm.

So, what should we glean from this?  God sees marriage as a holy commitment.  Don't enter into it lightly.  Once you do, make every effort to make yourself worthy of the commitment.  Before you berate your relationship or your spouse, honestly ask yourself, "What can I do to make this better."  Not, "If they did such & such, this would be better."