mark 10:10-12 :: divorce (pt 3)

these verses are not meant to be burdensome. they are not meant to hold back anyone who has been left on the wrong end of a nasty divorce, but rather to act as a guard for us against further sin, just as the Law was intended to do as well. Fences are put up to keep pets and livestock from running away or to provide a safe place for children to play. these regulations provide the same thing.

someone needlessly divorcing their spouse, maybe because they suddenly find that they are ‘displeased’ with them is ridiculous. so many people take divorce as an easy way out. they don’t want to handle the problems before them in their relationship to their spouse, so they run down to the local law office, pay a processing fee and sign a few lines. it sounds easy, it sounds quick. but we all know how devastating divorce is to all who are affected by it. not just the husband and wife, but kids, relatives and friends. schisms are created that cannot be crossed, things are said that never should be and hearts are crushed. friendships that may have stood for years suddenly come crumbling down because of hard hearts, pride and a piece of paper.

this is not what God intends for us in our relationships. anyone can see that, but Jesus takes the time to address this because it does so much damage. marriage is forever, at least it is supposed to be. “what God has joined together, let no one separate.” right? sometimes separating things naturally leads to destruction. just look at the atom bomb. things were separated, quickly, and the aftermath is still visible today. people were vaporized, relationships were devastated, and whole cities were left in ruin.

was it a sin to split the atom? no. but the way it was split, and the reason it was split was horrendous.

sometimes divorce happens because a life needs to be saved. there is abuse taking place, and the offending party is unrepentant. if reconciliation is impossible, and the victim’s life is on the line, then by all means run away and do so quickly. God’s intent is not that you should die there. but still, in the spirit of the grace and love shown to you, you must give forgiveness and a chance for amends to be made. never be quick to file those papers, because even if the husband is being a brute he can still change. matthew 18 continues to serve as our example for how to pursue that process…

there is no easy answer to these situations. there is no plesant way to go down this path, but in all things we must remember who we serve, and keep in mind His statutes as a guide in all we do, no matter what. sometimes we wish God could have given us more instruction in certain areas, and this is one of them. but that just means we must seek Him out all the more when these times come. we must seek Him through prayer, fasting, Scripture and Godly counsul in order to hear His voice in the matter.  you cannot go through this alone, and shouldn’t feel like you have to…