Today, we looked at the difficult topics of celibacy and divorce. To focus on serving the Lord without the constraint of marriage was Paul’s model that he promoted by “permission” not by commandment. He knew that, in the climate of persecution, to be free of worry concerning a spouse and children was far better than the concern for their safety. If it is just you facing danger for your witness for Christ, your decisions may be simpler.
In dealing with divorce, in this age of “easy enter, easy exit” marriage, we all understand that operating “in the flesh” concerning your personal desires, as opposed to seeking to meet the needs of your spouse, is the recipe for disaster. The warning of 1 John 2:15-16 concerning the marriage relationship is something we should all heed. The first priority we have, in marriage, is to minister to the needs or our spouse. When you are ministering to the needs of your spouse, you are able to freely minister to others.
We finished the class, by dealing with the doctrinal truth, that, even though God hates divorce, He is currently divorced. Isaiah 50:1 & 54:6-8, and Jeremiah 3:7-10 & 14 give us clear understanding, because of Israel’s continuous spiritual adultery, He finally had to give her a bill of divorce. His voice and guidance went silent for nearly 600 years, until John the Baptist came preaching “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” preparing the way of the Messiah. John was cast into prison and beheaded. Jesus presented himself as Messiah, and the religious leaders plotted to have him killed. Jesus was crucified, fulfilling God’s plan for man’s redemption, and the religious leaders breathed a sigh of relief. Stephen was their last chance, as a nation, in Acts 7. He pleaded for their repentance, but, he too, was killed. We will see next week God’s plan of reconciliation for his wife, Israel. Matthew 24:15-18; Romans 11:25-27; Revelation 12:1-17