Knowing Jesus Christ is the end of the Law for all who believe is a fact we must take to heart. There is no shortage of well-meaning people and groups who, in an attempt to promote righteous living, create new laws to follow as a measure of righteousness (Romans 10:4). New regulations to prevent potential sin are imposed upon the impressionable, and sadly the bondage to sin remains. This error inevitably leads to condemnation and hurting people being ostracised.
One thing Christians can never comprehend fully is the motives of other people. Every person and circumstance is different, and it is dangerous to assume your judgment of another is correct. Now the Bible does teach us right from wrong, but as we soon realise situations in life are not always so clear cut. There are many interpretations of meaning and application of Bible passages people use to promote or confirm their view as being correct. There are many complex subjects people experience, and divorce is an example of one such complicated and difficult subject - perhaps because it is deeply personal. The Bible has quite a bit to say on divorce or "putting away": God hates it; it was not in God's plan from the beginning but He permitted it because the hearts of people were hard; and God even gave the northern kingdom of Israel a "certificate of divorce" when she played the harlot. Remarriage after divorce is another hotly debated topic. When I consider these things, my thinking is it would be wonderful if Christians extended love and grace to others God has freely given to us regardless if we are single, married, separated, divorced, remarried, or otherwise. Jesus spoke to a woman who had been married and divorced 5 times and was living with the 6th guy - and one would have thought she was a virgin with the kindness Jesus extended to her. If the disciples knew her past, they probably would have treated her like an enemy.
One verse which I have been meditating on a bit is in 1 Corinthians 7:15: "But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace." Every situation is different, and there are many cases and circumstances in the lives of people which do not line up perfectly with biblical accounts. This is only a problem when we view verses like this like the rabbis analysed laws in the Old Testament. Instead of trotting out all the possibilities, Paul used one such case. What happens if a believer leaves a believer? Or if a believer leaves an unbeliever? Do I have to prove someone is not a believer (who claims to be one) to be free of bondage - bondage to remain in a broken marriage or bondage to remaining single after divorce when the other spouse made the decision to depart? Unmarried folks aren't to make marriage their aim, and those in a marriage ought not to seek divorce - with their eye on a more suitable match. Praise the LORD we are called to peace, and this peace is an enduring fruit of the Spirit. My feelings are not a reliable gauge for what is right or wrong, but as I am led by the Spirit and the Word of God which illuminates my path I can know I am walking righteously.
When Jesus was asked by a man in the crowd to be His arbiter in relation to a family squabble over inheritance, Jesus flatly refused in Luke 12:14: "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" If anyone was qualified to be a judge, it was Jesus. But Jesus would not pander to man's covetousness, and Christians ought to resist the temptation to weigh in with pedantic judgments concerning others when they are not THE Judge. This is a dangerous practice, and many have been shipwrecked by the assertions of others of what was right or wrong according to their personal convictions or teachings of others. For me to walk in obedience to God is important, but for me to condemn others of being in continual sin for their marital decisions goes beyond my calling and office as Christian. What we can do is share the truth of scripture with love as we walk therein ourselves, aligning our will and motives with God's, trusting Him above all.
Colossians 3:12-15 reads, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." It is the peace of Christ which is to rule in our hearts, His peace which is to be our "arbiter." Love is the bond of perfection which joins us to Jesus Christ our Saviour, and it is clear from this list God's love is holy, pure, and righteous. The love of God does not lead to lawlessness but walking in it unites believers in perfect unity. How good God is to bear with and forgive us!
One thing Christians can never comprehend fully is the motives of other people. Every person and circumstance is different, and it is dangerous to assume your judgment of another is correct. Now the Bible does teach us right from wrong, but as we soon realise situations in life are not always so clear cut. There are many interpretations of meaning and application of Bible passages people use to promote or confirm their view as being correct. There are many complex subjects people experience, and divorce is an example of one such complicated and difficult subject - perhaps because it is deeply personal. The Bible has quite a bit to say on divorce or "putting away": God hates it; it was not in God's plan from the beginning but He permitted it because the hearts of people were hard; and God even gave the northern kingdom of Israel a "certificate of divorce" when she played the harlot. Remarriage after divorce is another hotly debated topic. When I consider these things, my thinking is it would be wonderful if Christians extended love and grace to others God has freely given to us regardless if we are single, married, separated, divorced, remarried, or otherwise. Jesus spoke to a woman who had been married and divorced 5 times and was living with the 6th guy - and one would have thought she was a virgin with the kindness Jesus extended to her. If the disciples knew her past, they probably would have treated her like an enemy.
One verse which I have been meditating on a bit is in 1 Corinthians 7:15: "But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace." Every situation is different, and there are many cases and circumstances in the lives of people which do not line up perfectly with biblical accounts. This is only a problem when we view verses like this like the rabbis analysed laws in the Old Testament. Instead of trotting out all the possibilities, Paul used one such case. What happens if a believer leaves a believer? Or if a believer leaves an unbeliever? Do I have to prove someone is not a believer (who claims to be one) to be free of bondage - bondage to remain in a broken marriage or bondage to remaining single after divorce when the other spouse made the decision to depart? Unmarried folks aren't to make marriage their aim, and those in a marriage ought not to seek divorce - with their eye on a more suitable match. Praise the LORD we are called to peace, and this peace is an enduring fruit of the Spirit. My feelings are not a reliable gauge for what is right or wrong, but as I am led by the Spirit and the Word of God which illuminates my path I can know I am walking righteously.
When Jesus was asked by a man in the crowd to be His arbiter in relation to a family squabble over inheritance, Jesus flatly refused in Luke 12:14: "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" If anyone was qualified to be a judge, it was Jesus. But Jesus would not pander to man's covetousness, and Christians ought to resist the temptation to weigh in with pedantic judgments concerning others when they are not THE Judge. This is a dangerous practice, and many have been shipwrecked by the assertions of others of what was right or wrong according to their personal convictions or teachings of others. For me to walk in obedience to God is important, but for me to condemn others of being in continual sin for their marital decisions goes beyond my calling and office as Christian. What we can do is share the truth of scripture with love as we walk therein ourselves, aligning our will and motives with God's, trusting Him above all.
Colossians 3:12-15 reads, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." It is the peace of Christ which is to rule in our hearts, His peace which is to be our "arbiter." Love is the bond of perfection which joins us to Jesus Christ our Saviour, and it is clear from this list God's love is holy, pure, and righteous. The love of God does not lead to lawlessness but walking in it unites believers in perfect unity. How good God is to bear with and forgive us!
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