Does God forgive murder but not divorce

[DYOLF]

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: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

I might be wrong here but it seems like if you divorce your wife for anything apart from fornication then you are committing adultery.

Does God forgive murderers and not divorcees.I know he said he hated divorce in Malachi,not sure if he mentions the same about murderers?Does anyone know or have a biblical opinion on this?

 

[jehoiakim]

God hates all sin, murder and adultery are part of sins that are included... for proof remember he forgave the adulteress woman when they wanted to stone her? In the same Chapter Jesus is just as strict with murder and says even if you hate your neighbor you have committed murder.

If you are genuine in your repentance and place your faith in Christ, God will forgive you of any of these, but genuine repentance is the key.

 

[DYOLF]

God hates all sin, murder and adultery are part of sins that are included... for proof remember he forgave the adulteress woman when they wanted to stone her? In the same Chapter Jesus is just as strict with murder and says even if you hate your neighbor you have committed murder.

If you are genuine in your repentance and place your faith in Christ, God will forgive you of any of these, but genuine repentance is the key.

Are you saying you can divorce,repent and ask for forgiveness for your adultery and God will forgive you?
By repentance do you mean taking your wife/husband back or just confessing your adultery then moving on to getting a new spouse?

 

[Nanopants]

I believe that this issue exposes a bit hypocrisy in mainstream Christianity.

On one hand, you have those who vehemently defend and support the sanctity of marriage and on the other, the very same will denounce legalism and "the burden of the law" if you suggest that they ought to start observing Sabbaths and food purity laws.

It's ridiculous tbh. The truth of the matter is that love is what is sacred, and we cannot practice serial monogamy, divorcing spouses for selfish reasons. Paul speaks of this kind of situation very harshly in 1 Titus 5:8. But life does get messy, and divorce is sometimes unavoidable and/or a better alternative in extreme situations. In the case where a person cannot or should not continue in a marriage, I wholeheartedly believe that there is grace and forgiveness, and we should not treat the issue legalistically.

 

[DYOLF]

I believe that this issue exposes a bit hypocrisy in mainstream Christianity.

On one hand, you have those who vehemently defend and support the sanctity of marriage and on the other, the very same will denounce legalism and "the burden of the law" if you suggest that they ought to start observing Sabbaths and food purity laws.

It's ridiculous tbh. The truth of the matter is that love is what is sacred, and we cannot practice serial monogamy, divorcing spouses for selfish reasons. Paul speaks of this kind of situation very harshly in 1 Titus 5:8. But life does get messy, and divorce is sometimes unavoidable and/or a better alternative in extreme situations. In the case where a person cannot or should not continue in a marriage, I wholeheartedly believe that there is grace and forgiveness, and we should not treat the issue legalistically.

Sorry I'm trying to get that verse in Titus I think you made a misprint because Titus has only one book and 3 Chapters.

 

[Nanopants]

Sorry I'm trying to get that verse in Titus I think you made a misprint because Titus has only one book and 3 Chapters.

my bad, it's first 1 Timothy 5:8

 

[jehoiakim]

yes you can repent... if you are genuine God will forgivce you, but if you are just saying an apology to "get out of it" God will know and you are not fooling anyone except maybe yourself.

Each situation is different so to give you specifics I think I'd really need know a lot of background and probably ask a fair amount of questions.

I am making an assumption that this is a real life situation and you are saying the divorce or separation already occurred and without infidelity being "the cause" and are wondering what the next step is.

1. as a said, genuine repentance

2A. I think you need to do everything you can to mend the old marriage, and if that is not possible I think you are stuck, unless they involve themselves and with another person which would still = infidelity, then possibly you would be free to marry again... possibly being I am not sure and if it were me I'd do a lot of praying to make sure that my motives were correct and I hid nothing... then maybe

2B. If you were a non-christian when you were married and it has been many years then I think you might be held to a different standard and from this point on need to walk Christ laws out the best you can and would be free to marry if you cannot repair the old relationship. I think in this situation because you were a non believer you could claim you didn't understand the commitment or the seriousness of it when you made it, and your first marriage was the adulterous relationship... that is kind of splitting hairs though


Point being I think you need to do everything in your power mend the old marriage and if after ever last effort is made, then possibly you might be free to marry again, but I don't know that I'd bet the farm on it, it is a more liberal interpretation then I'd feel totally comfortable with

 

[DYOLF]

yes you can repent... if you are genuine God will forgivce you, but if you are just saying an apology to "get out of it" God will know and you are not fooling anyone except maybe yourself.

Each situation is different so to give you specifics I think I'd really need know a lot of background and probably ask a fair amount of questions.

I am making an assumption that this is a real life situation and you are saying the divorce or separation already occurred and without infidelity being "the cause" and are wondering what the next step is.

1. as a said, genuine repentance

2A. I think you need to do everything you can to mend the old marriage, and if that is not possible I think you are stuck, unless they involve themselves and with another person which would still = infidelity, then possibly you would be free to marry again... possibly being I am not sure and if it were me I'd do a lot of praying to make sure that my motives were correct and I hid nothing... then maybe

2B. If you were a non-christian when you were married and it has been many years then I think you might be held to a different standard and from this point on need to walk Christ laws out the best you can and would be free to marry if you cannot repair the old relationship. I think in this situation because you were a non believer you could claim you didn't understand the commitment or the seriousness of it when you made it, and your first marriage was the adulterous relationship... that is kind of splitting hairs though


Point being I think you need to do everything in your power mend the old marriage and if after ever last effort is made, then possibly you might be free to marry again, but I don't know that I'd bet the farm on it, it is a more liberal interpretation then I'd feel totally comfortable with

What is repentance in this case?
Going back to your wife or packing and disappearing even though your spouse has not committed adultery?
Repentance is repentance [ri-pen-tns, -pen-tuhns]  
Forgiveness

re·pent·ance   [ri-pen-tns, -pen-tuhns] Show IPA
noun
1.
deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.
2.
regret for any past action.

If you have genuine and deep sorrow and regret that means you know you have done wrong.If leaving your wife was wrong and you knew you had done wrong would you not take her back to correct the wrong?So by this standard can you say you have repented if you still went on to divorce yet you knew divorce was wrong?If you divorce and asked God for forgiveness would God hear that prayer if you still let your wife go? seeing there was no change in direction?The bible says let him who stole steal no more,what about the one leaving his wife/husband?Don't you think if you leave you do not think you are doing wrong or you do not have regret?

On the other hand you can be sorrowful after murder and regret it and ask God to forgive you.Yes you can't raise the victim to life too many times but you can still repent.

 

[GQ Chris]

I believe that God does forgive it, but that doesn't mean that you won't have to deal with the consequences of sin(s). What compounds the problems is that people think that after they've repented and stopped whatever it is they did, that they automatically think that things will be better quickly, when the reality is that it could take many years or even a lifetime to recover.

 

[HeKnowsMyName]

DYOLF inquiring minds wanna know why you are asking.

I don't really have anything to add. I'm not much on debate. Thankfully my divorce was Biblical and I can look back and say I did everything I knew to do to make it work. However, even if he had not committed adultery, I could not have stayed in the marriage I was in and kept my sanity. There were many problems besides that. My fault was that I didn't pray for God's Will before I married. He had been raised in church all of his life as had I. I just assumed God was pleased you know? So in essence, I sinned by not asking God for his permission. But do I think God won't forgive me? Of course not! The only unpardonable sin in the Bible is the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.

I don't know why I'm divorced. I have a hard time understanding it. But if I can help one person not make the same mistakes I did, I'll be happy. I tell the teens at our church to pray and seek God before getting married. I don't care if you are 55 (insert any number here) and you think (s)he's the last person out there that would have you, pray and seek God. If God has someone for me, you can bet your bippy God will SHOW me many times over before I tie the knot again.

 

[DYOLF]

DYOLF inquiring minds wanna know why you are asking.

I don't really have anything to add. I'm not much on debate. Thankfully my divorce was Biblical and I can look back and say I did everything I knew to do to make it work. However, even if he had not committed adultery, I could not have stayed in the marriage I was in and kept my sanity. There were many problems besides that. My fault was that I didn't pray for God's Will before I married. He had been raised in church all of his life as had I. I just assumed God was pleased you know? So in essence, I sinned by not asking God for his permission. But do I think God won't forgive me? Of course not! The only unpardonable sin in the Bible is the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.

I don't know why I'm divorced. I have a hard time understanding it. But if I can help one person not make the same mistakes I did, I'll be happy. I tell the teens at our church to pray and seek God before getting married. I don't care if you are 55 (insert any number here) and you think (s)he's the last person out there that would have you, pray and seek God. If God has someone for me, you can bet your bippy God will SHOW me many times over before I tie the knot again.

There is a case of a covenant:

2Sa 21:1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
2Sa 21:2 And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)

God's judgement came upon Israel for killing the Gibeonites yet the Gibeonites had made a covenant through decietful means.Joshua and Israel knew a covenant had been made and could not be reversed even though they had not sought God's will in this.So can the fact that someone did not seek God's will be used as an excuse for getting out of a covenant?God himself swears to his own hurt.He has put himself under his word and he hates covenant breakers.He says let your ye be ye so if you made vows till death do us part why would you leave (not you in this case but generally-after all your case like you said was biblical)

I appreciate you teaching singles to pray for God's will.Having said that however challenges still come even when you are in God's perfect will.Do you run away because the kitchen is too hot?

 

[DYOLF]

Just for the record:
I'm single,never been married and not seeking to divorce anyone

 

[HeKnowsMyName]

My opinion is that God forgives ALL sin (except blasphemy) when we come with a repentant heart. I think you are making this too hard. I like what Jehoikam said up there. Do the best you can to make it right and that's all God can expect of you. If you are divorced and she is not remarried, is there a chance for reconciliation? If so, do your part to reconcile. If not, move on - get God's forgiveness and make the best of the life you have now. Are we even talking about you or is this just something you've been wondering? *scratches head*

I think if you know you are in God's perfect will and you marry someone, you should stick it out if you can. I have a BFF that knows that God showed her that her husband was THE ONE. They have had many marriage problems. In fact they are in the middle of issues right now. She said it would be so much easier (if she only knew that wasn't true) to quit but she can't do it because God ordained them to be life partners. So she's making the best of it and trusting that God will make it better.

ETA: Just read your single never married post up there. Why are we talking about this then? lol

 

[DYOLF]

My opinion is that God forgives ALL sin (except blasphemy) when we come with a repentant heart. I think you are making this too hard. I like what Jehoikam said up there. Do the best you can to make it right and that's all God can expect of you. If you are divorced and she is not remarried, is there a chance for reconciliation? If so, do your part to reconcile. If not, move on - get God's forgiveness and make the best of the life you have now. Are we even talking about you or is this just something you've been wondering? *scratches head*

I think if you know you are in God's perfect will and you marry someone, you should stick it out if you can. I have a BFF that knows that God showed her that her husband was THE ONE. They have had many marriage problems. In fact they are in the middle of issues right now. She said it would be so much easier (if she only knew that wasn't true) to quit but she can't do it because God ordained them to be life partners. So she's making the best of it and trusting that God will make it better.

ETA: Just read your single never married post up there. Why are we talking about this then? lol

The point is God forgives if your repent.
Can you repent without being reconciled to your husband/wife?
May someone please define repentance?

Why are we discussing this?
My friend's Pastor has been married 3 times and she is planning on divorcing her current husband and she has a title of Prophetess.Non of her former husbands committed adultery and the current husband's business went under because of the recession.He's broke now and she's moving on 'because God has called us to liberty'.
Also my Business Partner who's a Christian has started being friendly to a certain lady because he's divorcing his wife for reason which have nothing to do with adultery.I do talk to these guys and I have come to the forum for clarification.

 

[AndrewZinc]

ETA: Just read your single never married post up there. Why are we talking about this then? lol

I think he had spotted a perceived discrepancy in the original passage in Matthew and wanted clarification, which is fair enough.

I agree with the answers that have been given, but it isn't always simple though as two divorcees in my church got married a few years ago and there was some controversy as to whether that was right.

I'm not sure, but I think it is better to err on the side of caution and follow what the Bible says if in doubt. If in that situation I think it is best to seek guidance from God, both through prayer and Bible study.

The point is God forgives if your repent.
Can you repent without being reconciled to your husband/wife?

The answer to that has to be yes, as reconciliation may not be possible (it takes two). But reconciliation is preferable if possible, as we all seek to be reconciled with God.

 

[BRISH]

I believe that this issue exposes a bit hypocrisy in mainstream Christianity.

On one hand, you have those who vehemently defend and support the sanctity of marriage and on the other, the very same will denounce legalism and "the burden of the law" if you suggest that they ought to start observing Sabbaths and food purity laws.

It's ridiculous tbh. The truth of the matter is that love is what is sacred, and we cannot practice serial monogamy, divorcing spouses for selfish reasons. Paul speaks of this kind of situation very harshly in 1 Titus 5:8. But life does get messy, and divorce is sometimes unavoidable and/or a better alternative in extreme situations. In the case where a person cannot or should not continue in a marriage, I wholeheartedly believe that there is grace and forgiveness, and we should not treat the issue legalistically.

I believe that God does forgive it, but that doesn't mean that you won't have to deal with the consequences of sin(s). What compounds the problems is that people think that after they've repented and stopped whatever it is they did, that they automatically think that things will be better quickly, when the reality is that it could take many years or even a lifetime to recover.

^^

Having said that however challenges still come even when you are in God's perfect will.Do you run away because the kitchen is too hot?

Had I been in God's perfect will in the past, I dont feel running would have been an option. Had he been in God's perfect will at that time, I don't feel running would have been an option. No, things are never perfect, but if we (as a couple mutually) are in God's will, that means we are being submissive, observant, obedient, and are in tune with the Holy spirit. Running wouldn't be an option. So in other words I don't think that particular question is really relevant.

 

[DYOLF]

I think he had spotted a perceived discrepancy in the original passage in Matthew and wanted clarification, which is fair enough.

I agree with the answers that have been given, but it isn't always simple though as two divorcees in my church got married a few years ago and there was some controversy as to whether that was right.

I'm not sure, but I think it is better to err on the side of caution and follow what the Bible says if in doubt. If in that situation I think it is best to seek guidance from God, both through prayer and Bible study.



The answer to that has to be yes, as reconciliation may not be possible (it takes two). But reconciliation is preferable if possible, as we all seek to be reconciled with God.

Thanks for your patience on this.

Would you be kind enough to define repentance for me?
I know there is repentance which is of the heart
Then there's confession
I know forgiveness comes after repentance and confession.Or can you be forgiven without repenting but by merely confessing?
Can you repent without being reconciled?
When people divorce,the one who files for divorce is the one who sins if no adultery has been committed.
Also the one who marries a divorcee commits adultery whichever way which means you can not marry a divorcee according to what Jesus was saying.Of course it is possible Jesus didnt know what he was talking about like some Pastors say.
If you need to repent for you to be forgiven,how is it then that people can divorce,claim they repented yet remain divorced instead of repenting?I'm sorry if I do not sound clear but if you start by defining repentance everything will make sense.

 

[HeKnowsMyName]

The point is God forgives if your repent.
Can you repent without being reconciled to your husband/wife?
May someone please define repentance?

Why are we discussing this?
My friend's Pastor has been married 3 times and she is planning on divorcing her current husband and she has a title of Prophetess.Non of her former husbands committed adultery and the current husband's business went under because of the recession.He's broke now and she's moving on 'because God has called us to liberty'.
Also my Business Partner who's a Christian has started being friendly to a certain lady because he's divorcing his wife for reason which have nothing to do with adultery.I do talk to these guys and I have come to the forum for clarification.

I believe God can forgive both incidences depending on the sincerity of the person asking forgiveness. However, the lady in the first case appears to be sinning willfully over and over. It makes me wonder if she truly wants God's forgiveness or if she's even seeking it. TBH I don't see how she can be in the position she is in with 3 divorces under her belt. I am so sorry for her husband.

re·pent·ance

   /rɪˈpɛn

tns, -ˈpɛn

təns/ Show Spelled[ri-pen-tns, -pen-tuh

ns] Show IPA
noun 1. deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing, or the like.

2. regret for any past action.




That reply was rushed so sorry if I didn't make any sense.

 

[exitstageright]

DYOLF inquiring minds wanna know why you are asking.

I don't really have anything to add. I'm not much on debate. Thankfully my divorce was Biblical and I can look back and say I did everything I knew to do to make it work. However, even if he had not committed adultery, I could not have stayed in the marriage I was in and kept my sanity. There were many problems besides that. My fault was that I didn't pray for God's Will before I married. He had been raised in church all of his life as had I. I just assumed God was pleased you know? So in essence, I sinned by not asking God for his permission. But do I think God won't forgive me? Of course not! The only unpardonable sin in the Bible is the blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.

I don't know why I'm divorced. I have a hard time understanding it. But if I can help one person not make the same mistakes I did, I'll be happy. I tell the teens at our church to pray and seek God before getting married. I don't care if you are 55 (insert any number here) and you think (s)he's the last person out there that would have you, pray and seek God. If God has someone for me, you can bet your bippy God will SHOW me many times over before I tie the knot again.

Yes, I did not get a Biblical divorce. I know God hates divorce. But WHAT was I to do? My ex threatned to kill me. I had to sleep in another room with the door locked. Now,you tell me. What kind of a marrige was that? I had to get divorced in order to preserve my sanity. I was married for six long years. One can only take so much stupitity. Early in our marrige,she told me," I am going to drive you nuts!"

For those of you who literaly believe in "To Death Do Us Part". IF I had truly believe that,then I guess the ONLY way "OUT" would be for me to either kill her or for me to kill myself. I cannot worship GOD if I am dead.

 

[OGM]

For those of you who literaly believe in "To Death Do Us Part". IF I had truly believe that,then I guess the ONLY way "OUT" would be for me to either kill her or for me to kill myself. I cannot worship GOD if I am dead.

Back in my parents day divorce was very uncommon and in my Mother's home city in particular...as a little girl she remembers a couple of people that stayed until they were literally killed. One by a butcher knife and the other with a pistol unloaded in the temple. I have never been married but I personally would not stay with any whacko or nutcase. I don't want to end up in the obituary section yet!

Sometimes things can be taken a little too far and people can get hurt.