MY MARRIAGE IS HONOURABLE
MY MARRIAGE IS HONOURABLE
A DAILY DEVOTIONAL
WEDNESDAY APRIL 17, 2024
NIYI ODUNSI
DIVORCE IS NOT THE ANSWER
“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)
There’s been a debate among Bible scholars about what the Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 19 and what Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7. It is said that the Lord Jesus said divorce is permissible where there’s adultery but Apostle Paul said there can be no divorce in a Christian marriage. So people ask, who’s right? The Lord or Apostle Paul?
Church congregations are diverse in their opinions. While some allow divorce no matter the reason, some insist that there can only be divorce in cases of adultery. Another group insists there can be no divorce in a Christian marriage. Needless to say, couples and indeed children have suffered untold hardship as a result of the divergent opinions in the body of Christ. But what is the correct position?
The scriptures are clear and there’s no contradiction whatsoever. In interpreting scriptures, its important to ask three questions. 1) Who said it? 2) To whom was he speaking? 3) In what circumstance was the thing said? If we apply these questions to what the Lord Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul said, there will be no confusion.
The Lord Jesus Christ was speaking to Jewish religious leaders when they came to tempt him on the law of Moses with respect to divorce. At this time, there were two schools of thought. One believed you could divorce for every reason while the other school believed divorce should only be allowed in cases of adultery. If the Lord sided with either school, the other school would condemn him.
Apostle Paul was speaking to Believers in his letter to the Saints in Corinth and he was addressing matters relating to Christian living as an Apostle and one imminently qualified to give guidance on such matters. The Church at this time was a baby church and needed guidance.
You can easily see here that the Lord wasn’t talking to Believers in Matthew 19. Believers are not under the Law of Moses and cannot be regulated by that Law. It is clear then that Apostle Paul was speaking to Believers and what he said is more relevant to Christians today. If you study 1 Corinthians 7:10, Paul actually said it was a commandment from the Lord. It wasn’t Paul’s opinion. In effect, it was the Lord Jesus that said no divorce in Christian marriages.
The consequences of divorce can be quite devastating especially where children are involved. But Apostle Paul also said judicial separation is allowed. The only condition is, there can be no remarriage. According to Paul, remarriage is plain adultery. Let me conclude by saying that the question of Divorce is one that requires a lot of prayers, counseling and the leading of the Holy Spirit. There’s no happy divorce.
PRAYER
I thank you Lord Jesus for giving me your word as a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path. I humbly receive guidance from your word today, concerning my marriage. I am determined to make my marriage a success with your help, your grace and your mercy. I receive wisdom to always relate with my spouse according to your word. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19, 1 Corinthians 7: 10-11,