I. God's Institution Of Marriage.

A. God instituted marriage in the garden of Eden.

Genesis 2:24;

Matthew 19:1-6;

(Marriage is a unique institution. No other relationship on this earth is like the marriage relationship. It is a Divine institution and is not intended to be terminated by anyone.)

B. Marriage is a Covenant.

Malachi 2:14

Genesis 2:20-24

C. God's desire for the marriage relationship.

Eph. 5:22-33;

Col. 3:21

I Pet. 3:1-7

II. How Might A Marriage Covenant Be Ended?

A. Death.

Romans 7:2

[Death is the only way which God desires the marriage covenant to come to an end. Any other means of ending the marriage will involve sin on the part of one or both parties.]

B. Divorce.

Malachi 2:13-16 (God hates divorce.)

1. Jewish teaching on divorce. Two schools of thought.

Hillel = Divorce was allowed for any reason, (even burnt food). If the husband saw a woman who was more appealing to him, he could divorce his wife and take her as his wife.

Shammai = Divorce was only acceptable if unchastity was found in the wife.

2. Jesus' Teaching.

Matthew 5:31-32 Only for "PORNEIA."

Matthew 19:7-9 Only for "PORNEIA."

(Mark 10:2-12)

PORNEIA is generally rendered, "fornication." It refers to any type of sexual immorality; adultery, homosexuality, incest, etc.

PORNEIA is used in Jude 7 with reference to Sodom and Gomorrah.

3. Paul's Teaching.

I Corinthians 7:10-15

What constitutes desertion?

a. Absence in body. I Cor. 7:15

b. Absence in physical relations. I Cor. 7:3-5

c. If a spouse is physically abusive and refuses to seek help the other spouse can separate. The action of the abused spouse is not the sin, but rather the action of the abusive spouse has forced this action.

III. The Divorced Person And The Church.

Based on the above teaching from God's Word, the following conclusions can be drawn.

1) If a spouse commits adultery he/she is sinning against God and his/her spouse. The offended spouse can seek to end the marriage, and would be free to remarry.

The offended party can, but does not have to seek divorce.

If, however, the offence is known and the offended spouse chooses to continue having sexual relations, the option of divorce is taken away.

2) In the case of remarriage of individuals whose actions brought about a divorce (i.e. adultery, abandonment, etc.) and who desire the blessings of God and the Church the following must be true.

A) The person is truly repentant for his/her sin.

B) If the former spouse is still single the person should seek to be reconciled with him or her. If the person is unwilling to be reconciled with former spouse, it is a sign that true repentance has not taken place.

C) If the former spouse is remarried or unwilling to consider the possibility of reconciliation the individual would be free to marry another person.

3) The church cannot give its blessing on the marriage of a person who has been the cause of a divorce when repentance is not present and reconciliation is not sought.

Concluding Note;

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all thins have become new."

II Corinthians 5:17

Divorce is no greater than any other sin which we could commit. All sin is punishable by hell and eternal separation from God. This is what we all deserve for all the sins we have ever, or will ever commit. Thanks be to God that the price for our sins, including the sin of divorce has been paid in full through the blood Jesus shed on the cross. As God's children we are forgiven, totally. Amen