SATURDAY, JUNE 24
1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Matthew 19:3-9

"Have ye not read…"

CAN A CHRISTIAN DIVORCE? (III)

How then should one respond if one’s spouse is involved in an adulterous affair?

Firstly, understand that adultery is a violation of the Seventh Commandment, and is a sin in the eyes of God. God will judge all adulterers (Heb 13:4). The injured party must therefore let God vindicate him in the entire situation. He must never seek revenge though he may feel betrayed.

Secondly, the injured party must forgive the offending party. Harbouring bitterness will negatively impact the decisions and emotions of the injured party, and result in disobedience. Heed the words of Scripture: "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matt 6:14-15).

Thirdly, the injured party must also examine his life to see if he has contributed in any way to the entire situation. If he has, he must seek the Lord’s forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

For those who are single, do not enter into marriage lightly. Make sure that it is God’s will for you to get married. For those who are married, value the marriage covenant. The best guard for a blissful marriage is for husband and wife to walk close to the Lord, for a marriage relationship is not just bilateral (i.e. between two parties), but trilateral (involving God, man and woman). Therefore, husbands, love your wives as yourselves. Wives, submit to your husbands as unto the Lord. This is the recipe for a happy and God-honouring marriage. With God in the centre, the marriage will be a blissful one.

THOUGHT: Seek reconciliation, not divorce.
PRAYER: Lord, preserve our marriages.