31. "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' 32. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.
I saw a cartoon of a pastor in the pulpit wearing a suit of armor and holding a shield. The caption underneath simply read. "This morning I'd like to talk to you on the subject of divorce."
When the topic of marriage and divorce comes up, I feel much like that. There are strong and changing opinions as to how to apply this Biblical teaching of Jesus.
One lady wrote a letter to her church, explaining that the way she felt treated by the church since her divorce, it would have been easier if she had murdered her husband. Then the church could have forgiven her, and she could be in its good graces. As a divorcee she never feels forgiven. As divorces increase most families are affected, either in their own home or with loved ones.
There certainly is no surprise to anyone that the statistics on divorce have skyrocketed. The rate of divorce really makes little difference whether it is Christian families or not. There is increase in divorced clergy as well. Although the statistics vary, most articles compare the rate of the general population with the lesser percentages in more conservative denominations.
What can we do to help turn the trend? Many have concluded the best remedy for forestalling divorce is trial marriage - living together before marriage to see if they are compatible. Believe it or not, the highest group that divorces are those who have lived together before marriage. Mistrust for infidelity is greater. Fornication is sin and hardly an option for young people who want God's blessing on their marriage.
No matter what I may conclude in my interpretation of this passage on marriage and divorce there are also some very reliable, competent, and equally sincere people who will disagree. I will try to be as clear and accurate as possible with the text as I can be.
What Jesus does say is controversial, even in His day, but authoritative for any who want to follow Christ and His teachings.
It is important to divorce-proof your marriage whether or not you are remarried and to renew your commitment to Christ and your spouse.
