Whoever divorces his wife…
Posted by Nate Bush on Mar 05, 2010
(To see all the entries on the Sermon on the Mount click here) Matthew 5:31-32. It is clear that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:14-16). Young couples should know that God takes marriage very seriously. Marriage is a metaphor God gives for His relationship to us (Ephesians 5:22-23), and as two become one, a marriage contributes to the Imago Dei of humanity (Genesis 1:27). God’s view of marriage is wonderfully sacred and mystical (Malachi 2:14-16). God hates divorce for what it does to His glorious image in humanity and the pain it causes people as the mystical union of two becoming one is broken. Divorce is a sin like every other sin; it needs the forgiveness that Christ has died for (Matthew 26:28; 1 John 1:9). Forgiveness and healing awaits the believer who has suffered from the hurt caused by divorce.
Marriage was created and ordained by God and is to be between a man and a woman for life (Genesis 2:23-24). The Bible says that a believer and unbeliever should not marry (1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15). When a spouse dies, the bond is broken, and remarriage is permissible without sin for a believing widow or widower so long as the marriage is with another believer (Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). Though there is controversy at this point, I believe divorce may be permitted when a spouse deserts the relationship, commits adultery, or is dangerously abusive (1 Corinthians 7:15; Matthew 19:9; 1 Corinthians 7:11).
Although there are times when the Bible permits separation, remarriage can be a contentious issue. It is my opinion that remarriage of the aggrieving, divorced spouse may be viewed as severing the former marriage so that the unmarried spouse, whose behavior did not biblically justify being divorced, may be free to remarry a believer (Matthew 19:9).
