THURSDAY, JUNE 22
1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Matthew 19:3-9

"Let not the wife depart
from her husband."

CAN A CHRISTIAN DIVORCE? (I)

A woman once commented on a news channel that she was seeking marriage with her partner because it guarantees her monetary protection when they divorce. It was as if she was looking for divorce before she was married. Such is the thinking of the world.

Can a Christian seek to be divorced? The answer is an emphatic "NO." The teaching is clear in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. To prevent any misunderstanding that this injunction is only by the Apostle Paul, he stated that this directive came directly from the Lord. Two commands were issued here:

(1) The wife must not depart from her husband (1 Cor 7:10).
(2) The husband must not put away the wife (1 Cor 7:11).

In Matthew 19:3, the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus by asking Him whether it was lawful for a man to put away his wife for whatever cause. In those days, the common teaching allowed men to put away their wives for the slightest of reasons. If the wife was no longer attractive, put her away! If she failed to cook a dish to the husband’s liking, seek divorce! Back then, the married women had a high risk of being bullied and abused by their husbands. The situation has not changed in today’s society. How many, whether man or woman, have sought to separate from their spouse simply because of a lack of "spark" or passion? "We simply drifted apart and there’s no more feeling between us," they say. Others stick together for the sake of the children. But once the children become adults, divorce is sought.

Jesus exposed the twisted thinking of the religious teachers by pointing out the creation account in Genesis 2:18-25. Was it not God who made for man a help who was meet for him, so that husband and wife together can fulfil God’s will for their lives? Marriage is thus a divine institution. It involves a covenant relationship that is meant to be permanent. It must be honoured till God breaks it by death.

THOUGHT: Let all married couples honour their marriage vows.
PRAYER: Lord, may Thou keep all married couples faithful to Thee.