You misunderstood what I wrote, again. I have studied this topic and prayed and fasted over it. I know what God says, He knows what I know and where I am and what I can do and I know I am in His will.
Ladies, thank you for your views and your willingness to address this topic.
Yes, too many Christians take their vows lightly and divorce rate is high among Christians. That doesn't mean that every Christian that has, is, or will experience divorce is not in God's will. And God DOES allow remarriage.
LetThisMind, I'm glad you found the answer for you. Repentance and forgiveness may come, reconciliation may come...but God has provided an option if the spouse refuses...and it does happen.
I know very few people who went through the troubles and trials of a failing marriage that didn't do everything they could to get things to work out. I know people who have been cheated on and tried to reconcile, people who experienced abuse, etc...none of them went into the marriage lightly Or went into the separation and divorce lightly.
Anyone who thinks they are not guilty of not being a perfect spouse is deceiving theirself. None of us can force the other person to forgive us when we seek forgiveness. None of us can force someone to reconcile. None of us can force others to give up their sinful lives.
Making someone feel guilty that they didn't wait long enough, try hard enough, put up with enough, etc to make a marriage work is not very Christian-like. The situation is between them and God, and if they seek remarriage, the potential new spouse.
you are not the first person to have the 'revelation'...there are many people who who strictly to what you just realized....many have caused the physical harm to women and children because they convinced the women to stay in an abusive relationship.
Yes, too many Christians take their vows lightly and divorce rate is high among Christians. That doesn't mean that every Christian that has, is, or will experience divorce is not in God's will. And God DOES allow remarriage.
:applause:
A coworker told me once you are not to remarry after divorce, I told her to read the Scriptures because God allows it after a biblical divorce.
She is now 56 never been married with no children. She says she is a Christian, however, she has never married.
What if a abused wife of husband took self defense classes and when their partner tried to abuse them they defended their selves. Or maybe the spouse contributes to the anger of their spouse by something they do to cause such things?
And where is faith? Where is faith in God in these situations?
You see I can atest to such things. My previous wife was verbally and even physically abusive, she was unfaithful to our marriage etc, etc......
All that didnt have any bearing on my responsibility and my vow.
When I hear reports from my daughter of the same things her mother used to do to me that I though was because something I did or didnt do, I am sorry for that.
I am sorry that God never brought her to repentence. Not for me and my daughters sake but because the relationship she is missing with God due to her rebellion.
I was and still am responsible to God not because of my feelings but because of His Word.
I hear many excuses and dismissing of Gods words to justify positions.
This is why divorce is so rampet in the church.
Their is no one not even preachers to stand on marriage until death do us part.
Where is the love in the families? Where is the love between husband and wives. For our children?
You said: "Making someone feel guilty that they didn't wait long enough, try hard enough, put up with enough, etc to make a marriage work is not very Christian-like. The situation is between them and God, and if they seek remarriage, the potential new spouse. You are not the first person to have the 'revelation'...there are many people who who strictly to what you just realized....many have caused the physical harm to women and children because they convinced the women to stay in an abusive relationship."
Following your reasoning, isn't your whole comment a guilt trip? Are you laying the "it's not very Christian-like" thing out there to make someone feel guilty? Sure sounds like it. If so, is that Christian like or not? What about the "many have caused physical harm...because they convinced them to stay..." ? More guilt? Christian like or not?
If someone encourages someone to wait long or try harder, who determines when that's o.k. and when it's a guilt trip? Is there a certain number of acceptable times? Is it always not very Christian-like? What are the parameters? Who defines those parameters? You? How do you know what the intent of that person is?
Other than your personal opinion on this whole matter, what verses do you use to support your hypothesis?
For the record, I don't share any of your perspective on this topic. What I am suggesting is that you at least show some consistency in your own application of your concept of "making others feel guilty". You say that it's not very Christian-like in the very same paragraph that you attempt to do it in.
Help me understand the point that you are trying to make, please.
If you are suggesting that in general people shouldn't go around pointing fingers at other people without at least first examining themselves. I agree. This is the principle of the beam and the mote.
However, when it comes to discipline within the church (body of Christ), sometimes finger pointing is very necessary.
I don't have to think about this much to come up with many examples of finger pointing in the New Testament..whether to an individual or a group of individuals.
If the leaders aren't responsible to do this, then who in the world should? You have children. Have you ever pointed your finger at one of them and offered correction?
Again, I am simply trying to understand your point here brother.
I provided a wide variety of verses and explanations...mostly verses on the thread:
"Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?"
Going back through that would not be honoring to my Heavenly Father. If anyone wants to know my Biblical references, thoughts, etc they can select my history from this post and read through the posts.
Michael,
My initial post shows that the way you started this thread sounded like a sweeping accusation to women. You clarified that you addressed it to men, too.
Divorce and remarriage is a very personal experience...whatever the reasons. Most Christians are already beating themselves up because the marriage failed for whatever reason(s), even if it was a second or third marriage. Most sought counsel from leaders in their church/congregation.
Even non-Christians go through many of the same motions and guilt trips when their marriages fail.
Is free we should try to encourage people to follow the guidance in 1 Corinthians 7; however, that chapter also offers grounds for separation, which could lead to divorce.
If we all lived in God's perfect will, none of us would be unequally yoked, would never sin, would never disappoint our spouse....that's how it was to be from the beginning. However, as soon as Eve and Adam sinned, we were all cursed to live less than perfect lives.
Understanding that we are sinners is the first step to becoming a Christian.
"Is free we should try to encourage people to follow the guidance in 1 Corinthians 7; however, that chapter also offers grounds for separation, which could lead to divorce."
