Unlawful Divorce
Matthew 5:31-32
Introduction
– Jesus continues to give very practical examples of how, by
living our lives in the blessedness of the Beatitudes, we are to display good
works in stark contrast to the unbelieving world around us – even if the
unbelieving world turns out to include much of the established church. True disciples do not let murder rest in
their hearts. They do not let lust rule
their thoughts. And they do not lightly
destroy marriage covenants.
Lust and Divorce
– The teachings of the Pharisees become clearer when we
consider Matt 19:1-9. Remember from the
last passage in the Sermon on the Mount, the Pharisees had taught that lustful
thoughts were acceptable. But where
does a heart full of lust eventually lead?
Moses had given regulations to restrain divorce, and these so-called
followers of Moses were using his teaching to make divorce as easy as filling
out the paperwork.
Jesus on Marriage
– (Matt 19:4-6)
Marriage is not an institution that man made up for his own conveniences. It is an institution by God for His
purposes, and because it is His purpose, it is a blessing for men and women in
many ways. But it is God’s institution
and therefore it must be regulated by His laws. Polygamy and sodomy are not options for marriage in the created
order. And since this sexual union,
within the context of a covenantal oath, is created by God, man may not tear it
apart.
Jesus on Divorce
– (Matt 19:7-9) But
that is not to say that under the law of God a marriage covenant cannot be
dissolved. This was not commanded, but
allowed since the fall. Covenantal
death, however, cannot be determined by the whims of men. We must follow the law of God. This passage and Matt 5:31-32 teach that
fornication is a lawful reason for allowing divorce. In 1 Cor 7:10-16, Paul reasons from this that desertion is an
additional gross violation of the marriage covenant.
“Salt of the Earth/Light of the World” Marriages –Ephesians 5:22-33
teaches us that the mystery of the relationship of husband and wife is that it
proclaims the gospel of Christ to His church.
Do you reflect these kinds of good works in your marriage?
Poor in Spirit – Husbands, do you
exercise true authority and responsibility in your home because you are a
servant of Christ and therefore the chief-servant in your home? Or do you act like a tyrant, trying to hide
the fact that you are a spiritual wimp?
Wives, do you know what it means to submit to and respect your
husbands? Are you doing so knowing that
you have ultimately no one to depend on for your needs other than God, your
Father through Jesus Christ?
Mourn – Is there a ‘no
compromise’ law in your home that sin will not be tolerated? Is there an understanding that when
repentance is not forthcoming, the family government is not absolute?
Meek – Husbands, do you have
a true masculine meekness that imitates Christ’s gentleness and kindness
towards your wife and towards her children?
Wives, do you display patience, and trust, confidence and contentment in
God’s providential will in the events of your life, including the imperfect
husband God has given you?
Hunger and
Thirst for Righteousness
– What are the conversations in your home like? Are they filled with the Word of God,
because husbands and wives are reading the Word, husbands are teaching their
wives, and parents are teaching their children from the Word of God? Is this occurring, not out of a sense of
‘duty’, but out of an insatiable thirst for God, for truth, and for righteousness?
Merciful – Is your household
fumigated regularly of all unconfessed sin, or do you let bitterness and
unforgiveness reside, hidden like termites in the foundation of your home?
Pure In Heart – Is every day set
aside, consecrated to God for His sanctification of you, your spouse, your
children, your marriage? Or is it
“Saturday, and Saturday’s are for me….”
Also, is the marriage bed kept honorable, pure, peaceful, and
delightful, by and for both parties?
Peacemaker – Is your home
characterized by warmth, peace, laughing, love, conversation, celebration,
reconciliation? Or are there sounds of
doors slamming, wives shouting, husbands swearing, children sulking, and long
periods of silence that are deafening?
Persecuted
– Husbands,
do you refuse to enter into the lewd joking, and wife-bashing talk at
work? Will you take the heat when the
name-callers think you pay too much attention to your wife and children? Or how about when your boss thinks so…? As a family, do you say ‘no’ to other
activities in order not to forsake this assembly?