Marriage and Divorce (Part 4)

By Bob Myhan

Those who are eligible for scriptural marriage fall into four categories: (1) those who have never been married, (2) those whose spouses [or previous spouses] have died, (3) those who put their previous spouses away for fornication and (4) those who are reconciling after a divorce. Unless both persons in a marriage fall into one of these categories, though not necessarily the same category, they are unscripturally married and are committing adultery (Matt. 19:9; Rom. 7:2-3).

While some teach that an unscripturally married individual may remain in his/her marriage with God’s approval, this is not the case. Repentance is essential to forgiveness. The Greek word translated “repent” means “to change one’s mind or purpose, always, in the N.T., involving a change for the better, an amendment” (Vine). With reference to the word translated “repentance," Vine says, “In the N.T. the subject chiefly has reference to repentance from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.” Thus, repentance is the determination, or resolve, to forsake and avoid sin.

Both spouses in an unscriptural marriage are committing adultery and must cease doing so if they want to have a proper relationship with God.

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God . And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11)

Surely, the idolaters, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners were to discontinue their respective sins. So, also, were the fornicators and adulterers to discontinue their fornication and adultery. If any who were in unscriptural marriages had remained in those marriages, they would have been constantly facing sexual temptation. But we are to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Cor. 6:18), not leave ourselves open to it.

While there is no New Testament example of Christians specifically being told to put away their unscriptural wives, there is an Old Testament example of some having to do this very thing. When the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity, Ezra was told that the men had taken wives for themselves and their sons from among the heathen nations, which God had expressly forbidden (Ezra 9:1-2).

Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, "You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel . Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives." Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, "Yes! As you have said, so we must do." (Ezra 10:10-12)

Of course, we are not under the Law of Moses. But this event illustrates an eternal principal - whatever God forbids, we must not do, and if we find ourselves doing it, we must stop. The Jews were not authorized to marry foreign women, and those who did so had to separate from them. Thus, if two people living under the New Testament are in an unscriptural marriage, they must – at the very least – cease having sexual relations, for they are committing adultery. (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Rom. 7:2–3)

There are those who contend that it would be cruel to break up a happy home – especially where children are involved - just because a previous marriage ended without God’s approval. But, in the example above, “some of them had wives by whom they had children” (v. 44), yet “they gave their promise that they would put away their wives.” (v. 19)

Many think it is unrealistic to expect anyone to live up to what God has revealed on the subject of marriage. But if we really want to go to heaven, and we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:29-30), we will resolve to do whatever is necessary, no matter how difficult. It is not always easy to do what is right. But it will be rewarding in the end – eternally rewarding. &

The Entitlement Mentality

By R.J. Evans

We who live in America are blessed in so many ways. There are many freedoms and opportunities that are available to millions. For years, this country has had entitlement programs which are funded by tax-paying employers and employees. Of course, where there are entitlements many problems have the potential of developing. Here in America , there are many who have come to the conclusion that entitlements are owed to them by our government with no effort on their part to earn them. Our older son, Ty, sees this practically every day. He is a supervisor of the “Jobs Program” in Birmingham , Alabama ( Jefferson County ). His program provides classes, training, even clothing, to help people who can work and who have been supported by the government, become productive citizens by getting a job. Jefferson County has one of the better employment rates in the state. Since Ty was born with Spina Bifida, and walks with crutches, it is rather difficult for an able-bodied person to sit there and say with a straight face that he is unable to work. Of course, the Bible teaches (contrary to the “you owe me” mentality), “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thes. 3:10). (I am not referring to all the diligent workers who are now unemployed due to our present economy.)

This causes me to think of the spiritual entitlement mentality. Our Creator provides us with many wonderful blessings and opportunities. The Scripture teaches that “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45). But how many take for granted all the benefits provided them by God? All of mankind should ever be grateful unto God for life and all its blessings. But sadly, many are totally ungrateful, with the attitude that God owes them all of these benefits.

Even among Christians, there is the danger of some developing the “entitlement” philosophy. With some Christians, certain parts of the Bible become a “hard pill to swallow.” (See John 6:60) As a result, they actually do not like certain teachings of our Lord. Some do not like what the Bible teaches on divorce and remarriage (see Matt. 5:19); some do not like what the Bible teaches on immodesty (see 1 Tim. 2:9); some do not like what the Bible teaches on attendance (see Heb. 10:25); some do not like words such as licentiousness and revelry which condemn modern dancing and social drinking by definition (see Gal. 5:19; Rom. 13:13; 1 Pet. 4:3). So what do they do? They somehow feel as though they are entitled to go ahead and engage in those sins anyway. As far as they are concerned, no one, not even God and His Word, is going to tell them how to live or tell them what they can or cannot do.

Some members of a local church, have been members there for so long, that they think they are entitled to do what they want, regardless of what the elders expect. In their minds, they think they have enough “seniority” over everyone else. They think that they have certain “entitlements,” “rights” or “privileges” that no one else enjoys. This kind of attitude will always create problems within a local congregation. It can go so far as to cause some weak members to completely lose their faith and quit worshipping God. I know of a church in another state that is presently having this exact problem.

Whether it pertains to the government, to God, or the local church, the idea that we are privileged and live with a certain prerogative attitude is wrong. The “sense of entitlement” will lead to our being out of step with the will of God. We will become slothful. We will lose our sense of gratitude and humility. We will develop a prideful and arrogant sense of self-importance. Our motive of actions will occur as a result of our thinking that everything is “entitled” to us.

There are many passages of scripture that come to mind which refute ‘the entitlement mentality.” One that just about says it all is Luke 17:10: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” &