Bible Thoughts

August 4, 2002

The Lord intended for people who marry to stay married! So long as both mates are alive, they are scripturally bound to each other. As a whole, our society does not accept nor believe what the Lord has commanded. Even among those who are saints, there are those who ignore the teachings of the New Testament and, through fallible reasoning, justify themselves or others in regard to divorce and remarriage. Some statistics point out that fifty percent of the marriages performed today will end in the divorce court. Some who are Christians are part of the statistics(how sad!). Marriage is a lifetime commitment. Always remember: so long as both parties are alive, God intended for them to be together.

"Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery"(Luke 16:18).

The Lord is very plain in this passage. One who has no right to a second marriage(after divorcing a mate) commits adultery when they enter such a marriage. When one marries a person who has been put away, adultery is committed. Jesus made one exception. "...but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away comitteth adultery"(Matthew 5:32). When one marries someone who has no right to be married, it is adultery. The adulterer has no right to contract another marriage. Only the innocent party has a right to enter into a new marriage. If one who has the right to marry enters into a marriage with one who has no right to marry, they are living in adultery. The many excuses offered by those who ignore the standards of Christ will not stand in the light of the scriptures. Even in the Old Testament, God said, "I hate putting away..."(Malachi 2:16).

The Lord said nothing about annulments. Such actions are from human courts for the Bible reveals nothing in regard to such. If one contracts a marriage and later finds the person had no right to be married, adultery has been committed by one who marries such an individual. When one vows in a ceremony(compliance to the laws of men) and sexual intimacy takes place it is a marriage(Mark 6:17)! While some may claim that it was not a marriage because one party had no right to be married, they contradict this passage. My young friend(or older), you had better check out carefully a prospective mate. If you are unsure about the right of the person, in the light of the scriptures, to be married, look for someone else! If there is the least doubt, don't do it!

One who has lost a mate in death is free to marry another one who is qualified to be married. It is unfortunate that some rush into marriage without stopping to consider the consequences of the union. Much sadness and agony could be avoided if people considered carefully their own situation, as well as the situation of the intended mate, before they commit themselves to a second(or first) marriage. Those who follow the scripture can find happiness and joy in the proper marriage. Those who ignore the scripture will not only bring agony many times in this life, but must face the Lord in judgment. Marriage is one of the strongest bonds that can exist between humans. Make sure the bond you make is secure!

The proper appeal to find out what is the will of God is through a study of his revealed word. The Psalmist recognized it and faithful disciples accept the "testimony of Jehovah" to this day. The Psalmist also pointed out that it was "perfect." The word perfect carries the idea of completeness. The inspired revelation from Jehovah is the standard for every faithful Christian. They recognize that it restores the soul as well as making one wise in spiritual matters. It makes wise the simple!

Men have sought out many devices to explain the spiritual needs of mankind. Only one book has the answer to such: the Bible. If a person desires to know the ancient history of God's people, he reads(and studies) the Bible. If one desires to know the difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ, he reads(and studies) the Bible. If one desires to know what to do to be saved, he reads(and studies) the Bible. If one desires to know what it takes to be a Christian and be faithful to the Lord, he reads(and studies) the Bible. All of one's interest in spiritual matters can be satisfied by the revelation from God. It does not take volumes of men's literature nor the sages of ages to learn what it means to please God. Read the book!

When Saul of Tarsus was persecuting the church, he did so with the understanding that he was doing God's service. After he was confronted on the road to Damascus, he realized that he must make a change in his life. That change was brought about through his willingness to follow the instructions of Christ revealed in the New Testament. The same gospel that saved Paul can save a person today. The same book that guided Paul as a Christian will guide Christians of today. Do not be fooled: the teachings of men are just that--from men. The will of God is in the book!

The place to take the true measure of a man is not the forum or the field, not the market place or the amen corner, but at his own fireside. There he lays aside his mask, and you may judge whether he is an imp or an angel, king or cur, hero or humbug. I care not what the world says of him, whether it crown him with bays or pelt him with bad eggs; I care never a copper what his reputation or religion may be; if his babies dread his homecoming and his better half swallows her heart every time she asks for a five-dollar bill, he is a fraud of the first water, even though he prays night and morn till he is black in the face, and howls "Hallelujah" till he shakes the eternal hills. But if his children rush to the front gate to greet him and love's own sunshine illumines the face of his wife when she hears his footfalls, you may take it for granted that he is pure gold, for his home is a heaven, and the humbug never gets that near the white throne of God.-William Cowper Brann(Gospel Advocate, 4/7/32).

just thinkin...

There are some ideas and positions that are so foolish, they do not need an answer--they only need to be ignored.

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