Face To FaithSample

Everyone wants to know about divorce. There are few topics about which it is so easy to step on people’s toes.

Jesus helps us understand God’s heart in this issue, telling us that, ultimately, God says that men and women who consummate the covenant of marriage are one person. How, then, can one person become two again? Simply put, they can’t. “What God has joined together, let not man separate.”

However, God does give us in His Word a small handful of reasons under which divorce is permitted—not the ideal, never intended, not His heart—but it is permitted. Here they are: First, divorce is permissible when adultery has been committed. If a husband or wife

breaks their covenant by committing adultery, then divorce is permitted.

Second, if an unbelieving spouse refuses to stay married to a believer. This does not mean that the believer is permitted to divorce the unbelieving spouse, only the other way around. It also does not mean that the believer is allowed to drive their unbelieving spouse to divorce. Rather, the believer should act in such a way—praying, submitting, serving, loving—that the unbeliever gets saved.

Third, if sexual immorality has been committed. This is broader than adultery, includ-
ing everything from pornography to drug use. The point of this one is to communicate that we must take the sanctity of our marriage seriously. Do not do anything that jeopardizes your vows.

Lastly, and this sums up the rest, God permits—not delights in, not desires—divorce when a spouse has acted treacherously. This means to act faithlessly, with intentional deceit, or to be purposefully unfaithful.

Let me be clear, our marriages should be an image of the relationship between Christ and His Church, where there will never be divorce. That is God’s heart and intention.
Unless your marriage qualifies under these four things, and even if it does, seek peace, seek reconciliation, seek unity, become one together.

Only as we work hard toward this end will our marriages become the image they are to be and fulfill all that God desires for them.

Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for Your high standard for marriage! I confess that I need Your help to live up to all that You say my marriage should be. Please have Your way in my home and be King over my marriage!
Amen