What about Divorse?

[P3nguin1]

I thought by supporting them when they sin we validate their sin by refusing to rebuke them for it.

The sin has already happened. You are referring to somone who lives a lifestyle of sin, continually committing the same sin and not being repentant.

For example, if a man continually cheats on his wife and shows no remorse or a person who is a drunkard yet thinks nothing is wrong with it.

If a person acknowleges that they have sinned they are forgiven by Christ. There is no need to "rebuke" them, it is time to love and support them.

We are to show them the same treatment we would like to be shown if we were hurting.

 

[enslow]

Doesn't supporting people who choose to do ungodly things like divorce make us part of the problem?

God commands us to show compassion for ALL our neighbours, in spite of our sins. By giving Alie a shoulder to cry on, cooking her a meal, and listening to her story is not contributing to the problem. It's fullfilling what Christ commands us to do.

I know the following scripture relates to adultery, but for those who believe she is sinning by seeking divorce, it can apply in relation to sin.

John 8:4-7 "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of ou is without sin let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

What we should do is to advise Alie to seek counselling from her pastor, and avoid judging her. We should show compassion.

Enslow

 

[desi]

The sin has already happened. You are referring to somone who lives a lifestyle of sin, continually committing the same sin and not being repentant.

For example, if a man continually cheats on his wife and shows no remorse or a person who is a drunkard yet thinks nothing is wrong with it.

If a person acknowleges that they have sinned they are forgiven by Christ. There is no need to "rebuke" them, it is time to love and support them.

We are to show them the same treatment we would like to be shown if we were hurting.

You are assuming the sin is finished after the divorce. This is often not the case as many, if not most, divorces are not Biblically justified per Christ's one reason for divorce; hence, every sexual encounter after the 'divorce' is in fact adultery in God's eyes. Showing acceptance for people who engage in such sin is errant and ultimately does more harm than good as they are unrepentent for their ongoing sin.

 

[desi]

God commands us to show compassion for ALL our neighbours, in spite of our sins.

Please show me where God says this as I've never encountered such a scripture verse.

I know the following scripture relates to adultery, but for those who believe she is sinning by seeking divorce, it can apply in relation to sin.

John 8:4-7 "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of ou is without sin let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Jesus also told the adulteress to "go and sin no more". If Alie divorces for a reason other than the one Jesus stated acceptable for divorce she will commit adultery every time she gets intimate with another man for the rest of her life, as defined by the New Testament. This is a bad idea.

What we should do is to advise Alie to seek counselling from her pastor, and avoid judging her. We should show compassion.

I disagree, we should give her Biblical based guidance so she can make the right choice in God's eyes.

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

I have noticed that a lot of people that claim to give Biblical advice, in reality beat people up with the Bible. Advice can be given in a consoling and non-judgemental manner. The Bible says that if you divorce and remarry you are committing adultery, it does not say if you divorce, remarry, and have sex you are committing adultery. The way it reads in the Greek, the actual act of marriage is adultery. Now if you do this, and confess your sin, you are forgiven your sin. Wouldn't that make the marriage acceptable in the eyes of God? If you tell me no please back it up with Scripture and not conjecture.

This poor soul should be given a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, and Biblical advice. No-one should condem her, that is not our job. If she is not given compassion then the people around her are not acting like Christians. Christians are to be Christ like. If there is any doubt about it, then just handle her with love, and love is pretty clearly laid out for us:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Emphasis added. You will note though that Love keeps no record of wrong and if we do as commanded: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (repeated throughout the new testament). Then we would not keep a record of anyone's sin. It is just not our job. Our job as Christians is to show love. As another point you will note that Love is kind, she needs kindness right now and that is what should be given to her.

 

[Vollkommen Warrior]

I agree. I used to think people were just getting divorced out of convenience or because they found someone "better" or more exciting for the moment. But I am beginning to see how difficult it really is. God bless you and may he help you in your dilema Alie28.

 

[P3nguin1]

You are assuming the sin is finished after the divorce. This is often not the case as many, if not most, divorces are not Biblically justified per Christ's one reason for divorce; hence, every sexual encounter after the 'divorce' is in fact adultery in God's eyes. Showing acceptance for people who engage in such sin is errant and ultimately does more harm than good as they are unrepentent for their ongoing sin.

This is incorrect. Justified or not the divorce did occur, if it was unjustified the divorce was a sin but if that person remarries then their marital acts are not sinful.

The only time sex is permissible is within the bonds of marriage, so it cant be sinful if the two people are married.

 

[desi]

Mark 10:11-13 when Jesus is talking about divorce to his desciples he says, 'When a man divorces his wife to marry someone else, he commits adultery against her. And if a wife divorces her husband and remarries, she, too, commits adultery.' This seems to be clear instruction to A. Not divorce at all if you want to be married, and B. If you do divorce don't remarry as it is adultery. The idea someone could read this and think it acceptable to divorce and remarry is hard for me to understand.