Divorce and remarriage

[somuchjoy]

If they remarried in ignorance, they should remained married. No sense in divorcing twice, that doesn't fix it. I know several married couples who divorced their former spouses before they married. I would say two wrongs do not make a right.

What if they remarry and know what Jesus said about this? Granted, if they are not saved, they will not care what he said.

 

[Jonaitis]

What if they remarry and know what Jesus said about this? Granted, if they are not saved, they will not care what he said.

Well, that is something they will have to answer for.

Let's say they were both unsaved, and one came to the faith later on after they were married, then it would be okay to allow the unbelieving spouse to leave for any reason. "But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace" (1 Cor. 7:15). The one who separated sinned, but not the believing one. They will have to answer for that, not the believing spouse.

 

[somuchjoy]

Well, that is something they will have to answer for.

Let's say they were both unsaved, and one came to the faith later on after they were married, then it would be okay to allow the unbelieving spouse to leave for any reason. "But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace" (1 Cor. 7:15). The one who separated sinned, but not the believing one. They will have to answer for that, not the believing spouse.

Does that also stand for a remarriage, or just the original marriage? Does God still see the second marriage as a marriage although unlawfully entered into? Thanks again for your responses! I do not question to argue but to understand Thank you for your patience!

 

[Dave L]

So, I know this is a topic that is rampant in all forums. I have a hard time with how to reply to this myself. I am divorced, and not looking to be remarried, so it has no bearings on me. BUT, I do know couples who have come to believe and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they do not know what to do because they have been divorced and remarried before knowing or caring what Jesus said on the matter. What if the "exception clause" is for the engagement period only? I want to be careful not to be deceived or deceive others who may ask. I know all sins will be forgiven but blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. What does one do in this case for true repentance? Thanks to everyone for a response!

To clarify, I am divorced not of my doing. My husband wanted the divorce, and in America, what you want is what you will get, regardless of what the other wants.

Divorce was an Old Testament provision for the hard hearted (unbelievers). It is not an option in the New Covenant. People are as married leaving divorce court as they were when they arrived. All divorce and remarriage is adultery no matter the reason.

 

[~Zao~]

Exodus 7:3
But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.

And no - he was NOT innocent.

Ex 4:21 And the Lord said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.”​

Those were meant for signs. Flesh relied upon apart from God becomes a serpent, etc. Rebirth is the sign of remarriage.

 

[somuchjoy]

Divorce was an Old Testament provision for the hard hearted (unbelievers). It is not an option in the New Covenant. People are as married leaving divorce court as they were when they arrived. All divorce and remarriage is adultery no matter the reason.

I agree. I wish churches still taught it was a sin. Do remarried couples have to divorce to repent? Or do they stay with their current spouse?

 

[Dave L]

I agree. I wish churches still taught it was a sin. Do remarried couples have to divorce to repent? Or do they stay with their current spouse?

People divorce for all sorts of bad reasons. Divorce for a good reason would be repentance from an adulterous marriage.

 

[somuchjoy]

Thank you everyone for your responses! It is good when Christians can come together and talk about a topic without name slinging and disrespect. I hope it continues

 

[Dave-W]

Divorce was an Old Testament provision for the hard hearted (unbelievers).

My dad was a born again pastor, but beat my mom to a pulp and abused her in many ways. He was as hard hearted as they come.

There is no verse that says all hard hearted people are unbelievers. In fact most of the hard hearts I have encountered in my 64 years are believers.

In 3 places the writer of Hebrews (writing to BELIEVERS) quoted David's 95th Psalm: "Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts ..."

 

[somuchjoy]

People divorce for all sorts of bad reasons. Divorce for a good reason would be repentance from an adulterous marriage.

I hope you do not take me as argumentative, just trying to understand What if someone does not divorce from a remarriage? Are they in adultery as long as they are in it? I have heard some teach/preach that it is still a marriage, though unlawfully created. And to break it by divorce is still a sin-what are your thoughts?

 

[anna ~ grace]

So, I know this is a topic that is rampant in all forums. I have a hard time with how to reply to this myself. I am divorced, and not looking to be remarried, so it has no bearings on me. BUT, I do know couples who have come to believe and trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and they do not know what to do because they have been divorced and remarried before knowing or caring what Jesus said on the matter. What if the "exception clause" is for the engagement period only? I want to be careful not to be deceived or deceive others who may ask. I know all sins will be forgiven but blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. What does one do in this case for true repentance? Thanks to everyone for a response!

To clarify, I am divorced not of my doing. My husband wanted the divorce, and in America, what you want is what you will get, regardless of what the other wants.

Something which helps me in any situation, no matter how strongly I might *feel* is "how do I avoid sin in this situation? How do I obey Christ?"

I'll have to ask about this. I know what I would assume to be the case, but am not sure what is ultimately right.

I am very, very sorry about your divorce, Joy. God be with you, and help you to be faithful to Him. You sound like a dear lady.

 

[somuchjoy]

My dad was a born again pastor, but beat my mom to a pulp and abused her in many ways. He was as hard hearted as they come.

There is no verse that says all hard hearted people are unbelievers. In fact most of the hard hearts I have encountered in my 64 years are believers.

I have had many preachers come to our church growing up that I felt was hard hearted. They were mean in and out of the pulpit unfortunately.

 

[somuchjoy]

Something which helps me in any situation, no matter how strongly I might *feel* is "how do I avoid sin in this situation? How do I obey Christ?"

I'll have to ask about this. I know what I would assume to be the case, but am not sure what is ultimately right.

I am very, very sorry about your divorce, Joy. God be with you, and help you to be faithful to Him. You sound like a dear lady.

Thank you so much! I am asked by these ladies what option is not sinful, and I honestly do not know. I have been told many things in life such as: it is still a marriage even if unlawfully entered, it is nothing more than adultery, it is sin-but you are not to divorce but ask forgiveness-you will not be eligible as an elder of the church, etc.

 

[Dave L]

I hope you do not take me as argumentative, just trying to understand What if someone does not divorce from a remarriage? Are they in adultery as long as they are in it? I have heard some teach/preach that it is still a marriage, though unlawfully created. And to break it by divorce is still a sin-what are your thoughts?

There is no divorce recognized by God in the New Testament. So people remain married to their original spouse until death. All subsequent marriages are adultery and need to be repented of.

 

[~Zao~]

My dad was a born again pastor, but beat my mom to a pulp and abused her in many ways. He was as hard hearted as they come.

There is no verse that says all hard hearted people are unbelievers. In fact most of the hard hearts I have encountered in my 64 years are believers.

In 3 places the writer of Hebrews (writing to BELIEVERS) quoted David's 95th Psalm: "Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts ..."

No kidding. SMH. Legalism abounds in His midst as much now as then. It’s still a testing of God to see how much they can get away with physically when God just wants faithfulness to Himself for people to come to Him, not place barriers to others. Faith is found only in the Word faithfulness.

 

[somuchjoy]

There is no divorce recognized by God in the New Testament. So people remain married to their original spouse until death. All subsequent marriages are adultery and need to be repented of.

And repentance is divorce from the second marriage? Thank you for your responses

 

[Dave L]

My dad was a born again pastor, but beat my mom to a pulp and abused her in many ways. He was as hard hearted as they come.

There is no verse that says all hard hearted people are unbelievers. In fact most of the hard hearts I have encountered in my 64 years are believers.

In 3 places the writer of Hebrews (writing to BELIEVERS) quoted David's 95th Psalm: "Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts ..."

Pharaoh was hard hearted...... That defines it.

 

[somuchjoy]

No kidding. SMH. Legalism abounds in His midst as much now as then. It’s still a testing of God to see how much they can get away with physically when God just wants faithfulness to Himself for people to come to Him, not place barriers to others. Faith is found only in the Word faithfulness.

That too comes into this. What is legalistic in the situation? If it does not put you in an unwanted spot, and forgive me if it does, what would be your take? Again, if it puts you in a spot uncomfortably, please forgive me.

 

[Dave-W]

And repentance is divorce from the second marriage? Thank you for your responses

Do not agree with that. Choosing to divorce again is a sin.
It is a breaking of a covenant. Even a covenant that is outside of God's will is still valid. Do a study on the Gibbeonites in the book of Joshua.

 

[~Zao~]

That too comes into this. What is legalistic in the situation? If it does not put you in an unwanted spot, and forgive me if it does, what would be your take? Again, if it puts you in a spot uncomfortably, please forgive me.

Legalism is not recognizing the union of Christ and the church. Kinda puts the lawmakers on a level ground. Ye are not God, just as neither was Moses.

 

[somuchjoy]

What does it mean when it is said that to be an elder you must be the husband of one wife? Does that mean that you can be seen as having more than one wife, but if you do such as divorce, you cannot be elder, or that if your wife should pass, you cannot remarry?