hose 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). 

hile 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.

oth spouses in an unscriptural marriage are committing adultery and must cease doing so if they want to have a proper relationship with God. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11).

urely, the idolaters, the effeminate, the abusers of themselves with mankind, the thieves, the covetous, the drunkards, the revilers and the extortioners were not to continue their respective sins. Nor were the fornicators and adulterers to continue their fornication and adultery. If any who were in unscriptural marriages had remained in those marriages, they would have been constantly facing sexual temptation. We are to “flee fornication” (1 Cor. 6:18), not court it.

hile 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 forbidden (Ezra 9:1-2). “And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do” (Ezra 10:10-12).

f 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 one living under the New Testament has married someone he/she is not authorized to marry, he/she must divorce that person, for such is an adulterous marriage (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; Rom. 7:2,3).

here 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. 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. &

A HARLOT’S ATTIRE (continued)

By Chuck Bartlett

t is important that we understand what this article is not saying. It is not saying…

You should be ashamed of your body.

You should always wear four layers of clothing, even in the summer.

You shouldn’t dress nice.

hat is being said is, to dress the way God wants is going to take an enormous effort. People don’t care if they dress like a harlot can go to almost any store and buy whatever they see. Christians can’t do that. It is almost like shopping in a harlot’s closet.

ust what do we expect to find in the world? The world is offering worldliness and we have to do all we can to not conform (Rom. 12:1-2).

eep in mind that when Jesus was teaching of the kind of example we ought to set, He didn’t say, “Let your bodies shine before men, so they can see your good form.” He did say, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Let us open our eyes and make sure we do all we can to dress modestly. &

HOW CAN WE KEEP OUR HEARTS?

By Warren E. Berkley

 We can set our hearts to seek God and His word (1 Chron. 22:19; Psa. 119:112).

 We can store up God's word in our hearts (Deut. 6:4-9; 11:18f; Psa. 37:30f; 119:9-11).

 We can set our affections on things above (Col. 3:1-4).

 We can avoid those things that tend to corrupt the heart (Psa. 101:3-4).

 We can focus our attention on good things (Phil. 4:8).

 We can pray (1 Chron. 29:18; Psa. 86:6-11; 119:36-37, 80; 141:1-4).

 We can examine our hearts diligently and regularly (Psa. 4:3-4; 2 Cor. 13:5). &

WHAT IS THE HEART?

By Bob Myhan

he heart is “the inward man,” the man that “is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16). It is fourfold in its nature.

irst, it is intellectual. We think in the heart (Matt. 9:4), we reason in the heart (Mark 2:8) and we understand with the heart (Matt. 13:15). In its intellectual capacity, the heart is the mind.

econd, it is emotional. Hate occurs in the heart (Lev. 19:17); we are to love with the heart (Matt. 22:37; 1 Peter 1:22); the heart has desires (Rom. 10:1).

hird, the heart is ethical. Our hearts condemn us (1 John 3:20-21). The thoughts of our hearts accuse or excuse one another (Rom. 2:14-15). Ethically, the heart is the conscience (John 8:9).

ourth, the heart is volitional in nature. It forms intents (Heb. 4:12). We purpose in our hearts (2 Cor. 9:7). We are to obey from the heart (Rom. 6:17). Volitionally, the heart is the will.

e are to love God with all our heart, soul [conscience], mind and strength [of will] (Mark 12:30) &