Marriage is for life!

Marriage is forever!
What does Jesus say about marriage and divorce? (Read Matthew 5:31-32).

Firstly, we notice that marriage is forever. In Matthew 19 we see Jesus going behind the law of Moses to the law that was given by God at the very beginning of time. Jesus says,
(Mat 19:4-6) "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' (5) and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? (6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Secondly, Jesus says divorce is not to be condemned if there is "marital unfaithfulness." Marital unfaithfulness means unrepentant unchastely acts.

We may not recognize this at first, but in allowing divorce for marital unfaithfulness our Lord shows him to be gracious and kind. Don't forget, in Old Testament Israel the penalty for adultery and other unchastely acts was death by stoning. Jesus now removes this death sentence and permits divorce instead. Furthermore, the Old Testament law of divorce often left women and children abused, neglected, and suffering in impossible situations because only the husband was permitted to seek a divorce. Jesus' command permits wives to also initiate action.

Thirdly, notice that God does not command anyone to divorce. As in the law of Moses, God permits divorce rather than commands divorce. The reason is simple: marriage is for life.
Even as God forgives us, so we must forgive each other as husbands and wives. Instead of commanding divorce, what God does command is forgiveness.

Fourthly, we have to compare what Jesus says to what is happening in our world today. In South Africa you now get a so called "no-fault" divorce. Like the Pharisees, our society allows divorce for any and every reason. This was never God’s intention and not what Jesus taught

And fifthly, Jesus reminds us of the basis for marriage. If it is marital unfaithfulness that breaks a marriage, then it is marital faithfulness that makes a marriage.

The basis for marriage, the foundation for marriage, is fidelity, faithfulness, commitment. Where there is this faithfulness, the marriage remains together even when love is difficult. Where there is this faithfulness, the two remain one-flesh. And, by the power of Christ, where there is this faithfulness, love can slowly grow and come alive again.

Lastly, the Bible does not know unforgivable sin, except the sin of not believing in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Divorce can be forgiven, and we can start a new life after divorce! And God in his mercy may then grant us a marriage that is for life and that is based on true faithfulness and commitment!