Marriage and Divorce

The fairytale wedding did not lead to "And they lived happily ever after." I must confess to still being almost incredulous that this famous marriage should have collapsed. What a tragedy for this little family! Pity the prince and the princess. The poor husband, the poor wife, the poor children--their genes, money and position did not help them achieve what so many "commoners" enjoy: marital and familial bliss and blessing. And their genes, money and position did nothing to shield them from a blight plaguing the western world today: marital conflict, alienation and divorce.

What went wrong? Not knowing the individual specifics of this case, I don't know beyond generalities. But I can tell you with all confidence that their "solution" of choice is wrong. Divorcing is not God's way for those who have vowed the marriage vow. Never.

These people are joined for life, as far as God is concerned. And that is all we need to go by. Decrees of law or royalty or clergy will change nothing about that fact. Emotional, geographic or legal distance will not change it either. Though they burn every bridge and build new ones, that tie that binds remains knotted. As long as they both live, they are husband and wife.

Do you believe all that? I hope so! But this sad fact glares on the world scene today: the majority do not. Tragically and shamefully, that world view has steadily engulfed the church. And it is to the church that I direct my words.

Do you believe that "Whosoever . . .

. . . therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32)?

. . . shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50)?

. . . will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Mark 8:34)?

. . . will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:24)?

. . . doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27)?

. . . believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:15)?

. . . drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst" (John 4:14)?

. . . shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21)?

. . . shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" (1 John 4:15)?

Do not be swayed by unbelief nor blinded by feelings. Believe that God's way is the very best. When we do that and live by His way, we can have absolute confidence that He will not be mocked and we will lose nothing that matters. Be strong and very courageous!

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