Divorce

Divorce

INTRODUCTION

Notes prepared from, Dr. John R. Rice’s book, "The Home, Courtship and Marriage"; "What the Bible Says about Divorce" by William W. 0rr; Dr. C. I. Scofield’s "Question Box" and possibly some others.

Today in the United States, one marriage in five ends in the divorce court.

Divorce represents one of the major problems facing homes today.

Most of these divorces could have been prevented if sane counsel regarding marriage had been sought before marriage.

Today divorce is granted for many reasons including adultery, cruelty, desertion, drunkenness, neglect to provide, vagrancy, conviction of crime, separation, bigamy, incompatibility, fraudulent representation, misconduct, etc. (Orr, Page 16) Let us approach this subject by attempting to answer a number of questions:

Matthew 19:6, "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." In marriage God performs a miracle when two individuals become one person.

Only God is permitted to break that union by taking one of the partners in death.

If a couple in a state of intoxication or infatuation have a civil ceremony are they legally married? Is such a marriage null and void?

Marriage is twofold: It is both legal and spiritual; sealed by God Himself.

Yes. There is one and only one legal reason and that is fornication.

Matthew 19:9, "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery."

What does the word, "fornication" mean in this passage? Some newer translations translate it "unfaithfulness." The basic meaning is illicit sexual relations with a third party.

Both Dr. Rice and Dr. Orr suggest that it means only if the other person has become a habitual fornicator; ordinarily the innocent party would forgive the guilty party upon confession and be reunited.

However, for chronic cases the Lord permitted a writing of divorcement.

NO-Divorce is never commanded; it is permitted in unusual and extreme cases.

Divorce was not in the original plan of God for human beings-- Matthew 19:4-5.

Why then are there divorces? Jesus explained it this way in Matthew 19:8, "Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered (permitted by a special dispensation of grace) you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. "

Definitely not. The second marriage is legal and to try to dissolve it would create many other intricate, complex problems. The Scripture says, "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called," 1 Corinthians 7:20. (Dr. Ironside’s answer, page 20). This is the principle followed by missionaries; life begins at conversion.

Definitely not; this is an abomination in the sight of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 24:1-4, would clearly forbid any such action.

If the persons were divorced on Scriptural grounds, they would be free to remarry.

Naturally, they would be much more cautious the next time.

Deuteronomy 24:2.

If they were divorced on unscriptural grounds, then the second marriage would be "living in adultery."

It is doubtful if there is such a thing as an innocent party in the sight of God, for likely the "innocent" party failed in some way which caused the partner to go further afield for satisfaction.

Dr. Ironside says the innocent party would need to prove his or her innocence with two or three witnesses (2 Corinthians 13:1).

Deuteronomy 24:2, does permit the innocent party to remarry.

If the person were innocent and the divorce granted on Scriptural grounds then the answer would be, yes.

If the person were partially guilty or received the divorce for other than Scriptural grounds, then the answer would be a strong, no.

Because it represents a tragedy that has undermined the home, the basis of society.

Because of the misery that follows in its path: broken homes, bruised and broken hearts, bewildered homeless children, delinquent youth, mountains of loneliness, oceans of tears and even suicide and insanity.

Divorce should never be considered and will not be necessary if the marriage is made in heaven. To prevent divorce, be sure that both parties are Christians, of the same religious faith, with mutual interests, and private guidance to enter into marriage.

Commit everything to the Lord and He will choose both well and satisfactorily, Psalms 37:4.

Let both husband and wife solemnly renew their vow for "better or worse, till death do us part."

Let each get right with the Lord and then with one another; confession and repentance with mutual sharing will make any marriage a success.

Let them spend time in prayer individually and as a couple.

Little children are often the solution to marital problems; preventing children leads to childlessness, dissatisfaction, frustration and quarreling.

Let the husband be the actual, head of the home (not merely a figurehead).

Let wives be subject to their own husbands.

Let husbands and wives continually woo each other; each needs a great deal of affection. Continuously ask God for a holy love for each other.

Dr. Rice says "Yes," for God loves the unlovely sinner, whom He cannot respect.

Many a mother loves a drunken, murderous son. The Father in Luke 15 still loved the prodigal.

Love that is unselfish and godly can be deep and powerful even with those whom we cannot respect.

Jesus even goes further when He says, "Love your enemies"- Matthew 5:44.

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